Latest news with #IS500
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Lexus IS 500 Climax Edition Marks End of V8 Compact Sedan
The last compact sedan with a V8 engine really is on its way out. After Mercedes-AMG killed the V8 in the C63, the Lexus IS 500 was the last sedan of this size to retain a V8, but it seems this characterful Lexus won't be around for much longer, both in America and beyond. A few weeks ago, Lexus announced the IS 500 Ultimate Edition, a run of just 500 models that will be sold in North America. Now, it's Japan's turn to say goodbye to this sedan with the IS 500 Climax Edition. As far as car names go, this one can be thrown into the same box as the Daihatsu Naked and Ford Probe. Awkward name aside, this special edition is likely to become something of a collector's item in the years ahead. Much like our own Ultimate Edition, the Climax Edition will feature 19-inch forged BBS wheels in a sinister matte black finish. These partially conceal upgraded Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers. To match the black trim, special Neutrino Gray paint has been introduced for this model, which is inspired by neutrinos. If you also had no clue what those are, they're elementary particles produced in outer space, where they move at the speed of light. Eight other colors will be available for the Climax Edition, though. Inside, Lexus Japan has hilariously added several IS 500 "Climax Edition" plaques, not that anyone owning this car would forget what it's called. A red and black color scheme adds to the raunchy look, and even the analog clock in the center of the dashboard gets a new background. Related: End of an Era? The Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition Hints at the Model's Farewell Nothing has changed under the hood, not that it had to. Producing 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, the rear-wheel-drive IS 500 can run from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. That time is no longer earth-shattering, but it's accompanied by a soundtrack that no rival can match. Keep your foot planted, and the fastest IS will reach 149 mph. Paddle shifters can be used to take manual control over the eight-speed automatic transmission. In Japan, the IS 500 Climax Edition goes for 9,500,000 yen, which is equivalent to around $65,000. It's set to go on sale in August, and America's own Ultimate Edition will go on sale later this fall. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Motor 1
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Yes, Lexus Really Calls This V-8 Sedan the Climax Edition
America's IS500 Ultimate Edition is getting the JDM treatment, but with a twist. Lexus is renaming its sports sedan the Climax Edition. Whether the sexual innuendo is intentional or we have dirty minds is unclear. It's probably the latter, but the special version's name still makes us chuckle. The badge appears on the center console and in the digital gauge cluster, just in case you forget this isn't your average IS. The Climax Edition comes from the same parent company that once had a military-spec Toyota BJ and a Daihatsu Naked kei car. Aside from the unexpected name, it's essentially an IS500 Ultimate Edition with right-hand drive. Considering the names Lexus is using, it seems the end may be near for the luxury sedan. It's a logical conclusion we're making, given that this third-generation model has been around for 12 years. Photo by: Lexus The fact that it's getting a bit long in the tooth isn't all bad. Its venerable age means it hasn't fallen victim to downsizing. You still get a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8. For the Climax Edition, Lexus adds front Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers and 380-mm ventilated discs, matching the U.S. version. It also gets the same 19-inch forged BBS wheels with a matte black finish. The Neutrino Gray paint is carried over as well for what is probably the car's last hurrah. Inside, the IS500 in Climax Edition flavor offers a few extras beyond the cheeky badging. The red and black interior theme will look familiar if you've seen its American sibling. There's dimpled leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, along with laser-etched red accents on the analog clock. Unique front door scuff plates round off the changes, further emphasizing the car's unusual name. Lexus hasn't made any changes to the 2UR-GSE engine, so the aging BMW 3 Series rival continues with 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet (535 Newton-meters) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Just like in America, Lexus will sell only 500 units in Japan. The IS500 Climax Edition is priced at 9,500,000 yen, or about $65,300 at current exchange rates. Sales begin in August. Lexus IS500 Climax Edition 11 Source: Lexus Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
End of an Era? The Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition Hints at the Model's Farewell
The naturally-aspirated V8-powered Lexus IS 500 isn't the quickest sports sedan around, but there are few that look and sound this good. You might be sad to hear that with the introduction of the IS 500 F Sport Performance Ultimate Edition, Lexus could be signaling the end of the road for the venerable IS. The Ultimate Edition retains the IS 500's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 472 horsepower, unchanged from stock. While Lexus hasn't officially confirmed the IS's discontinuation, the limited-run nature of this model and its debut as a 2025 model year vehicle suggest there may not be a 2026 IS. Mechanically, the Ultimate Edition is unchanged from the standard IS 500, retaining the powerful V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive only. The Ultimate Edition retains the handsome body and sporty interior but adds some special touches. It gets a special exterior paint color called Wind, a metallic light gray finish that's probably better looking in person than in photos, where it appears as a variation on the model's Ultra White paint. It also gets 19-inch matte-black BBS wheels, red brake calipers, and special IS 500 Ultimate Edition badging. The cabin features a two-tone red and black colorway, complemented by racy red seatbelts, a numbered 1-of-500 plaque, and unique door scuff plates that signify its special designation. The 472-horsepower V8 sports sedan will launch to 60 mph from a standstill in the mid-fours, which is properly quick, about the same as the Genesis G70 3.3T. The top trim IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium, gets a 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, voice command, configurable gauge cluster, a panoramic view monitor, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system with QuantumLogic surround technology. The upholstery features NuLuxe faux leather wrapped over heated and ventilated front seats (19-way power adjustable for the driver), a power moonroof, embossed door trim, and numerous physical controls for audio and climate. One vestige of the previous IS that we could do without is the wonky touchpad, which unfortunately remains in the IS 500. When it comes to safety, the IS 500 Sport Performance comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 and includes features like pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The IS 500 also boasts a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Pricing for the 2025 IS 500 F Sport Performance Ultimate Edition has not yet been announced, but the stock IS 500 F SPORT Performance starts at $60,595, while the F SPORT Performance Premium variant begins at $65,095. The Ultimate Edition will, no doubt, exceed that price point. Too bad it won't be offered in some of our favorite colors from the IS 500's palette history, like Flare Yellow and Molten Pearl. We don't care if the IS 500 F Sport Performance Ultimate Edition isn't the quickest, most tractable sports sedan around. The IS 500's naturally aspirated V8 offers a refreshing and nostalgic driving experience, as well as an absolutely intoxicating sound, appealing to enthusiasts who love sport and luxury. The Ultimate Edition will be totally worth the extra money, especially since the V8 will likely disappear from the Lexus stable in the next few years. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Top Gear
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
The 466bhp Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition is a naturally-aspirated V8 saloon and we want one
USA Yes, it's a shameless limited-run special, but it's very desirable. Forged wheels, special paint, limited to 500 units in North America Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Lexus has sold 1.3 million examples of its compact, rear-wheel-drive IS saloon since the first generation arrived in 1999, and to celebrate it's launching a shameless special edition of the IS 500 F-Sport in North America called 'Ultimate'. Oh boy, this makes us miss the old IS F. You may remember the 500 F-Sport uses a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 to make 466bhp and 395lb ft of torque. And yes, that's kinda the only reason why we're bringing you the news of this limited-run Ultimate Edition. As you might have guessed, just 500 will be available. Advertisement - Page continues below But what does the UE actually add? 19in forged BBS alloy wheels finished in matte black for a start, with contrasting red calipers and Brembo brakes. You also get a special shade of grey paint that Lexus has titled 'Wind'. Stop sniggering at the back. On the inside we're told the special edition gets 'Circuit Red' and black trim, with seats covered in artificial leather and Ultrasuede. The LFA-inspired steering wheel and shift knob are finished in real dimpled leather, while the analogue clock gets 'precision red laser etching'. Very Lexus. You might like Of course, we'd love to see all of these updates, but Lexus has only provided one picture of the Ultimate Edition so far (above). The IS 500 is an excellent-looking sports saloon though, so below is a little gallery of 2022 model year versions to get you excited about V8-engined sports saloons again. Skip 9 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Advertisement - Page continues below Looking for more from the USA? Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This Might Be Your Last Chance to Buy a V-8-Powered Lexus Sedan
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 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. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
