Last V8 Engine Lexus IS 500 High Performance sedan released limited edition..the end of the age of internal combustion
Jun 23, 2025
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The car, named 'Climax Edition', features a larger Brembo brake, BBS wheels, and a red and black interior. The output is equipped with a natural inhaler 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 472 horsepower and 535 Nm of torque.
High-performance sedans equipped with V8 engines are becoming rare these days, similar to the "extinction of dinosaurs" in the era of electricity. With the production of the Lexus IS 500 coming to an end soon, it marks the end of an era with the last V8 Lexus sports sedan.
The IS 500 Climax Edition, which only produces 500 units, imprints it as the last internal combustion engine through several major upgrades.
The biggest feature of the Climax edition is the enhanced brake system.A 380 mm diameter bentilated disk is coupled with a 6-port Brembo caliper and a high friction brake pad.
This is a step up from the basic IS 500 brake. It shows similar performance to RCF coupe, which focuses more on track driving. The red Brembo caliper stands out as it sits behind a 19-inch BBS forged aluminum wheel with a matte black finish.
It is also a wheel employed in the US specification IS 500 Ultimate Edition. This wheel is also applied to the Japanese specification F sports mode black series with a glossy black finish. A new Nutrino Gray exterior color option has been added.
Inside, ultra suede seats and dimple leather are applied to gear knobs and steering wheels. It features a shade of black and flare red, a special pattern of analog clocks, a climax edition plate on the center console, and a unique welcome graphic on the 8-inch LCD instrument panel.
The special edition remains the same as the natural inhaler 5.0-liter V8 engine, which generates 472 horsepower and 535 Nm of torque. I didn't introduce any tuning. Same as the basic IS 500. The V8 engine combines with an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver power to the rear wheels.
IS 500 Climax Edition is limited to only 500 units in Japan. The first model will be displayed in stores from August this year. The price is 9.5 million yen (about 90 million won). This limited edition model is designed to be a high-performance competition model of BMW 3 series, Mercedes C class, and Audi A4.
For reference, the basic IS 500 price starts at 8.5 million yen (about 80.5 million won). The price of the limited edition first edition released in 2022 was 9 million yen (85.2 million won).
In the U.S. market, Lexus IS 500 F Sports Performance will be sold starting at $60715 for 2025. Lexus has yet to disclose the price of the IS 500 Ultimate Edition, which will also be sold in the U.S. with a limited number of 500 units.
Since the first model appeared in 1999, about 1.3 million IS sedans have been sold in 40 countries around the world so far. Lexus launched the current generation of IS in 2013. Subsequently, the first facelift in 2017 and the second partial change in 2020 were carried out. This model is expected to be discontinued soon without further changes.
Luxus has not disclosed information about next-generation models. There are rumors that the next generation of IS will be fully electric. It has the potential to be equipped with a dual motor system and released in sedan and shooting brake body styles.
Of course, whether to launch or not may vary depending on market conditions. As hybrid vehicles still dominate the North American and Japanese markets, it is difficult to predict how the next generation of IS will come out.
Editor Kim Tae-jin, tj.kim@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
