Only 500 customers in Japan will have the chance to buy the special IS 500, a close counterpart to the U.S. Ultimate Edition
V8-powered sports sedans are becoming increasingly rare, and soon they’ll be all but extinct. As production of the Lexus IS 500 winds down, the brand is sending off its last V8 sedan with a special tribute for the Japanese market: the Climax Edition.
Limited to just 500 units, the Climax Edition gets a series of upgrades designed to make this farewell more memorable. Chief among them is a beefier braking system, featuring 380 mm (15-inch) ventilated discs paired with six-piston Brembo calipers and high-friction pads—a setup borrowed from the more track-focused RC F Coupe.
The red Brembo calipers peek out from behind matte black 19-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels—similar to those seen on the U.S. IS 500 Ultimate Edition and Japan’s F Sport Mode Black series. Lexus is also offering a new Neutrino Gray exterior paint to help this version stand out.
Inside, the cabin is trimmed in Ultrasuede with dimpled leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. The red and black interior color scheme is accented by a Climax Edition badge on the center console, a unique analog clock face, and special startup graphics on the 8-inch display.
Same Power, No Surprises
Under the hood, the Climax Edition remains true to form with the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic that sends power exclusively to the rear wheels.
Pricing starts at ¥9,500,000 (around $65,400), with deliveries scheduled to begin in August. For comparison, the standard IS 500 in Japan starts at ¥8,500,000 ($58,500), while the limited First Edition from 2022 was priced at ¥9,000,000 ($61,900).
In the U.S., the 2025 IS 500 F Sport Performance starts at $60,715. Lexus will also release 500 units of the IS 500 Ultimate Edition, but pricing has yet to be announced.
What’s Next for the IS?
Since its debut in 1999, the Lexus IS has served as the brand’s answer to the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. Over the years, Lexus has sold more than 1.3 million units across 40 markets. However, after two decades and multiple facelifts, the current-generation IS appears to be approaching the end of the line.
Lexus hasn’t confirmed what’s next, but rumors suggest an electric successor could be on the way—possibly with dual-motor AWD and even a shooting brake body style. That said, with hybrids still dominating the market, Lexus is likely keeping its options open.
