When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
"Up front, the IS 500 Ultimate Edition features Brembo® opposed 6-piston aluminum calipers paired with high-friction brake pads and large 380mm pillar-fin ventilated disc brakes, delivering exceptional stopping power and fade resistance."
This is the only thing I care about and want. I would very seriously consider getting these and putting them on my car. I hope we can we get them in black. Looks like they are not touching the rear brakes at all, just painting the caliper red.
"2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition: The Culmination of Greatness
Over the past two decades, the Lexus IS has sold approximately 1.3 million units in over 40 countries and regions across the globe. [...] As an ode to this storied nameplate’s history and legacy [..] This limited-edition IS is a celebration of one of the last remaining naturally aspirated luxury V8s on the market. Limited to 500 units in North America [...]"
This might be it. The way the PR is put together kind of makes it seem like this could be the end of the road for the 500/V8.
It started with the 500-unit limited-run Launch Edition, and now we have the 500-unit Ultimate Edition - closing the loop? We'll probably find out soon.
This will be a no go for me - The color is not exclusive enough. Even though its not the true Incognito, there are already too many shade/variant of that color out there. Not a fan of the wheels and the red calipers either. I like the idea of the more powerful brakes, but the cons outweigh the pros. I had an opportunity of a white on white (2025) but decided to pass - I just couldn't justify (in my head) to throw 22K (Cdn) to get a different interior color and also, add a sunroof which mine doesn't have (which I prefer now TBH). My car has under 14 500 km (not even 9 000 miles) and is pristine minus a tiny pin hole chip on my hood that is repaired and not noticeable unless you almost use a magnifying glass. If this edition would have been an amazing edition, I would have jumped on it but not now. I suspect I will be envious of the red/black interior though. I like the idea of the 2 tone seats but won't know until we see the pics. In the press release, that car has an artificially low stance and suspect it is edited to make it look like that, because none of the IS 500 come that low stock.
This is it for the V8 and the current version of the IS IMO - I am surprised it's a 2025 MY TBH. I was under the impression that there was going to be a shortened version of the 2026 MY which would have been this special edition before they close teh production line and get ready for the brand new 2027 IS but who know what 2026 will bring.
I am just excited about seeing the release of the 2026 RAV4 as we have our name on one to replace our 2023 Corolla Hatch as our daily driver. We were going to get a 2025 initially but I knew the GM at the dealer and gave me the inside scoop because he had gone to the dealership convention and had seen it and told me to wait. From what I have seen so far, I am happy I did
Last edited by wthrman2; May 20, 2025 at 04:20 AM.
The brakes are a nice upgrade but there's nothing else here to make me trade in my 24. A slightly lighter shade of Incognito doesn't interest me. Very minor updates to the interior.
The following things would seriously get me to consider trading in:
- Nori Green Pearl exterior color added (not happening)
- Updated nav/info (not happening)
I am surprised this is happening for the 25 MY. If this is it for the IS 500, then so be it. We all knew this car was going to have a short run.
The color does nothing for me. It's not bad, but it is also not something I want like Infrared or Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0. Nothing is going to replace those two colors for me on the top of my list. It would be nice to get the power folding side mirrors and the big brakes installed from the factory but if I had to choose adding parts to my car I'd only bother on the brakes.
It is weird that they didn't announce it as a 2026 since they will let us know about the MSRP before it goes on sale in the Fall. Fall is kind of late in the year for a current model year vehicle. I do wonder if this is basically our "Final Edition".
It is weird that they didn't announce it as a 2026 since they will let us know about the MSRP before it goes on sale in the Fall. Fall is kind of late in the year for a current model year vehicle. I do wonder if this is basically our "Final Edition".
The timing is def weird. Announcing this in late May is strange.
As time goes on I'll be upgrading things like brakes, suspension, exhaust etc anyway so upgraded brakes from the factory really doesn't do much for me.
It is weird that they didn't announce it as a 2026 since they will let us know about the MSRP before it goes on sale in the Fall. Fall is kind of late in the year for a current model year vehicle. I do wonder if this is basically our "Final Edition".
I agree - I was under the impression that the 2025 was about to be closed for production this summer and that they would do a short year production of the 2026 as a Final Edition, as the last hurrah but They seem to be closing the line sooner than expected. The IS is not a high selling volume vehicle anymore (the 500 even less) so I am sure they are OK in going a few months without any IS until the new redesign comes out in 2026. They just released the ES so it makes sense the IS will be leaked/released next. Maybe they will just end the 500 for 2025 and keep the IS 300/350 for the MY 2026 in limited numbers but the fact that they launched the 500 with a Launch Edition at 500 units, it makes sense they are closing the production of this puppy with 500 of the Ultimate Edition. TBH, out of all the special color and combo they offered, the one that got me the most interested was the yellow color.
I wonder if the tariff situation somehow played into their decision to end this sooner? Or are there new emission rules coming out in 2026 that just made the V8 impossible to sell in the US?
Last edited by wthrman2; May 20, 2025 at 06:13 AM.
Lexus is500 ultimate edition
