This Might Be Your Last Chance to Buy a V-8-Powered Lexus Sedan
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Lexus has always been quiet about its sport sedan heritage, but the Japanese automaker has long been battling alongside BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the quest to perfect the four-door rocket. But that time is coming to an end, it seems.
Lexus is being coy about what is next for the IS-series of sedans, but the phrasing of the name makes us fairly certain that the newly revealed IS 500 Ultimate Edition means something. Launched as a limited edition, special-production version of the V8-powered IS 500, the Ultimate Edition appears to commemorate the years of eight-cylinder sport sedans before it — and feels something like a final send-off.
Mechanically, the IS 500 chassis and powerplant remains unchanged, sporting a 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V-8 engine with 472 hp and 395-lb-ft of torque. Adaptive suspension, 6-piston Brembo brakes, and 19-inch forged alloy BBS wheels also remain. The majority of the changes for the Ultimate Edition are cosmetic; specifically, matte gray-black paint is applied to every body panel, adding the color of "Wind" to the sedan.
Other new features of the IS 500 Ultimate Edition include a Circuit Red and Black interior, complete with NuLuxe and Ultrasuede seats, plus an LFA-inspired steering wheel and shift knob. Red seatbelts add another sporty touch to the cabin while an 8.0-inch infotainment display reminds everyone that this generation of IS is nearly 13 years old.
We're not one to speculate too much here at Road & Track, but we can't help analyzing the phrasing associated with the IS 500 Ultimate Edition. Lexus is calling it "the culmination of greatness," suggesting that something will be finished with the Ultimate Edition model. Is that the IS 500 and its V8? Or is that the whole IS lineup? What does this mean for its RC coupe sibling? We're not exactly sure just yet. Total sales of the IS-series sedan top 1.3 million units since its inception with the IS 300 in 1999, but more modern sales figures paint a picture of a sedan in its twilight years.
Lexus says it will only build 500 units of the Ultimate Edition sedan. Pricing and production details have yet to be announced, but we're sure this special edition IS 500 sedan will rise well above the regular model's $60,595 sticker price. Either way, be on the lookout for more news around the future of Lexus's middleweight rear-wheel-drive sedan.
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