- Lexus has introduced the swan song of the V8-powered IS 500 in the Japanese market.
- The Climax Edition features larger Brembo brakes, BBS wheels, and a red-black interior.
- Power comes from a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque
V8-powered performance sedans are becoming as rare as a unicorn in today’s market, and soon, they’ll be even harder to find. As the Lexus IS 500 bids farewell to production, the company is treating Japanese customers to something a bit special. Enter the Climax Edition, a limited run of just 500 units, with some key upgrades to make the swan song a little more memorable.
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The Climax Edition’s standout feature is its beefed-up braking system. The ventilated discs, now 380 mm (15 inches) in diameter, are paired with six-pot Brembo calipers and high-friction brake pads. These are a step up from the standard IS 500’s brakes and bring it in line with the more track-focused RC F Coupe.
More: Lexus Kills Off The RC And RC F Coupes After 11 Years
The red Brembo calipers are hard to miss, positioned behind a set of 19-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels, finished in a matte black. For those who saw the US-spec IS 500 Ultimate Edition, these wheels should look familiar. The Japanese-spec F Sport Mode Black series also had them, but with a glossy black finish. And just to sweeten the deal, there’s now a new Neutrino Gray exterior color option.
Inside, there is Ultrasuede upholstery combined with dimpled leather on the shift knob and steering wheel. The cabin features Black and Flare Red shades, a special pattern for the analog clock, a Climax Edition plate on the center console, and unique welcome graphics on the 8-inch LCD meter.
Same V8 Power, No Surprises
The special edition doesn’t introduce any changes to the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, which continues to produce 472 hp (352 kW / 479 PS) and 395 lb-ft (535 Nm) of torque, just like the standard IS 500. The engine is paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels.
More: 2025 Lexus IS300 Gains F Sport Black IV Special Edition, But Only For Japan
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The IS 500 Climax Edition will be limited to just 500 units in Japan, with the first examples arriving in dealerships this August, starting at ¥9,500,000 ($65,400). For comparison, the standard IS 500 begins at ¥8,500,000 ($58,500) in the same market, while the similarly limited First Edition from 2022 was priced at ¥9,000,000 ($61,900).
In the US market, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is available for the 2025 MY, starting at $60,715. Lexus has yet to announce pricing for the US-spec IS 500 Ultimate Edition that will also be available in 500 units.
What Will Happen To The IS?
The IS sedan has been around since 1999, and after nearly two decades of service, it’s finally nearing retirement. Lexus debuted the current generation in 2013, gave it a facelift in 2017, and refreshed it again in 2020. But it seems the writing is on the wall as this model is nearing the end of its run.
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While Lexus isn’t giving much away about what’s next, rumors have swirled that the next-generation IS could go fully electric, possibly sporting a dual-motor setup and coming in both sedan and shooting brake body styles. Of course, whether that happens depends on market conditions, and with hybrids still dominating the scene, it’s hard to say where Lexus is headed.
Since the debut of the original in 1999, Lexus has sold around 1.3 million units of the IS in 40 countries and regions around the world. The Japanese model was conceived as a rival to the BMW 3-Series, the Mercedes C-Class, and the Audi A4.
