This Ultimate Edition Sounds Like the Lexus IS’ Swan Song
The current generation of the Lexus IS dates back to 2014, with a major update for 2021. Despite having a foot stuck in the past, the compact Japanese sedan continues to win over customers thanks to excellent reliability. However, we’re now left to wonder if it’ll return next year.
Officially, the company refuses to comment on future product plans, but with this week’s announcement of a 2025 IS 500 Ultimate Edition set to go on sale in the fall, things are not looking good. In fact, Lexus says it created the car as “an ode to this storied nameplate’s history and legacy.”
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Limited to 500 units in North America including 40 in Canada, the Ultimate Edition is based on the IS 500 F SPORT Performance and carries over the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE V8 engine that delivers 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
Highlights include six-piston Brembo aluminum calipers painted in an exclusive red and paired with high-friction brake pads and 380mm pillar-fin ventilated discs. In addition, the car is fitted with 19-inch forged alloy BBS wheels that are engineered for reduced weight and increased rigidity. They also sport a specially applied matte black finish. Then there’s this new exclusive metallic light grey body colour called Wind that happens to be shared with the 2026 RZ 550e F SPORT electric crossover.
Inside, look for a combination of Circuit Red and Black with seats trimmed in a mix of NuLuxe synthetic leather and Ultrasuede. A special animation appears on the instrument cluster every time the engine is started. Red seatbelts, a serialized badge on the centre console and other accents including unique scuff plates further complete the package.
Canadian pricing will be announced closer to launch, but if we had to guess, around $85,000 would make sense (all fees included).
Should the Lexus IS bow out at the end of this year, it will join the RC coupe—also available with the naturally aspirated V8—which is set to end production in December, as previously reported.
