- The IS500 Ultimate Edition retains the 5.0-liter V8 with 472 hp and 395 lb-ft.
- All 500 examples are painted in a special shade of gray known as ‘Wind.’
- Lexus has also added 19-inch forged BBS wheels and red brake calipers.
The Lexus IS may not carry the same cachet as a BMW M3, but don’t be fooled, this is one seriously tempting sports sedan, and it might be nearing its end. For 2025, Lexus has rolled out the IS 500 Ultimate Edition, a special variant celebrating one of the last naturally-aspirated V8 performance cars left in North America. With only 500 units being made, this could very well be your final opportunity to own a car like this.
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Lexus hasn’t tinkered with the powertrain, so the trusty 5.0-liter V8 is still under the hood, delivering a solid 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft (535 Nm) of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending all that power to the rear wheels where it belongs.
Read: 2024 Lexus IS Gets More Expensive And Adds New Design Packages
Changes that have been made to the Ultimate Edition include the fitment of bright red Brembo brake calipers and a set of distinctive 19-inch forged BBS wheels with a lovely matte black finish. A new color has also been introduced for this model, known simply as ‘Wind.’ It takes the form of a light metallic gray finish, although it looks more like white in the single image released by Lexus.
The updates extend to the cabin, though Lexus is keeping things under wraps for now, beyond the profile shot above, that is. What we do know is that the interior features a Circuit Red and Black color scheme, with NuLuxe and Ultrasuede-trimmed seats, plus a steering wheel inspired by the LFA.
Furthermore, the shift knob is wrapped in dimpled leather, there are red seat belts and a serialized badge to remind you just how exclusive this edition is. Other highlights include an updated analog clock with red laser etching and a special animation for the infotainment screen. Lexus hasn’t released full interior photos yet, but expect those to surface before sales kick off later this fall.
No pricing details have been announced for the special IS 500, but it’s reasonable to expect the Ultimate Edition to command a premium over the standard IS 500 F Sport Performance, which starts at $60,595. If this is indeed the end of the road for the Lexus IS, it serves as a fitting send-off, even if it doesn’t quite match the theatrics promised by the Toyota Supra’s Final Edition.
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