Lexus Unveils 2025 IS 500 Ultimate Edition
Summary
Lexushas revealed the 2025IS500 Ultimate Edition, a limited-run model celebrating the legacy of its naturally aspirated V8 sports sedan. Only 500 units will be available in North America when the car arrives this fall.
Powered by a 5L V8 producing 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, the Ultimate Edition sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. Brembo brakes, BBS forged alloy wheels and exclusive red calipers highlight its performance edge.
Finished in a new 'Wind' metallic gray paint, the exterior is sharpened with matte black wheels and gloss black accents. Inside, the cabin features Circuit Red and Black upholstery, Ultrasuede accents, red seatbelts and serialized badging. An analog clock with precision laser etching and an exclusive startup animation adds to its uniqueness.
Standard tech includes Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, with adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist and pre-collision features. Pricing for the limited edition model will be announced closer to launch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Every Corvette C8 Ranked By Horsepower
With the launch of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, the Corvette C8 family has grown once more. It seems like longer than five years since the original Corvette C8 Stingray went into production, so far has this generation of the sports car come since then. Regardless of what model you pick, every C8 offers supercar-level looks and performance for a fraction of the price of an Italian exotic. Here's a refresher of where each model sits in the lineup, ranked from lowest to highest horsepower output. This is where the C8 story began, and it's almost easy to forget just how potent the standard Corvette is, especially at a base price of $68,300. The 6.2-liter V8 engine makes 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque; Porsche charges more for a four-cylinder Cayman with 300 hp. The 0-60 mph time of around three seconds is still supercar-quick, aided by the quick shifts of the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, along with the rear-wheel-drive C8's immense grip. Unless you drive one of the other C8s, you would not feel shortchanged behind the wheel of the base model in any way. You can squeeze more power and torque out of the standard Corvette Stingray by equipping either the performance exhaust ($1,195) or the popular Z51 Performance Package ($6,345). In both cases, the V8 is uprated to 495 hp and 470 lb-ft, and the C8 in this configuration can hit 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Besides the performance exhaust, the Z51 pack also adds performance Brembo brakes, a performance suspension, a unique rear axle ratio, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, turning this into a monster track toy. Considering the standard Corvette's appealing base price, the Z51 pack is a no-brainer. After the standard Corvettes, it's a huge bump up in power to the hybrid E-Ray, which adds an electric drive unit and e-AWD to the 6.2L V8 lump. Combined, the system makes 655 hp, and the additional traction of the E-Ray results in a 2.5-second 0-60 mph run. The price for a base E-Ray rises to $106,900, and while that's far more than a base Corvette, it still represents remarkable bang for your buck. The E-Ray manages the same 19 mpg combined as the base Corvette, so the hybrid system is less about efficiency and more about finding a way to unlock another layer of performance. You can also use the car's Stealth mode for silent getaways early on weekend mornings, without disturbing the neighbors. Choosing between the E-Ray and Z06 is quite a conundrum. The Z06 is a raw performer, swapping the 6.2-liter V8 for an intoxicating 5.5-liter flat plane crank V8 that shrieks all the way to 8,600 rpm. It produces 670 hp and 460 lb-ft, and also has an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Chevy says it'll hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, which is actually slower than the E-Ray, and you need the Z06's $8,995 Z07 Performance Package to achieve that time. That's on top of its $112,100 base price. Taking all this into account, the E-Ray is the winner on paper. But that doesn't tell the full story. You see, the Z06 is about 300 lbs lighter than the E-Ray. This, coupled with its more rev-hungry engine, makes it a more unfiltered and enjoyable track tool. But the E-Ray is a more refined, sophisticated daily driver. You can't go wrong with either. The ZR1 takes the 5.5-liter flat plane crank V8 from the Z06 and boosts it with two turbos. That makes a huge difference, and the result is 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft. With the ZTK Performance Package, the 0-60 mph time drops to an astonishing 2.3 seconds. That may be only two-tenths more than the E-Ray, but even the smallest gains are not easy to come by at this level. The ZTK pack adds a special suspension with magnetic selective ride control and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. At $1,500, it's a box you may as well tick, since the ZR1 starts at $173,300. Up until very recently, it was hard to believe the Corvette could get more extreme, but then the ZR1X came along. Chevy pulled out all the stops for the new Corvette ZR1X. Combining the best of the E-Ray and ZR1, this C8 features the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 combined with an electric drive unit, bringing combined outputs well into EV territory at 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft. Like the E-Ray, it has e-AWD. The combination of immense power and AWD grip makes it a rocket, with a 0-60 mph time of under two seconds and a quarter-mile time of under nine seconds. In Stealth Mode, the ZR1X can be driven for 4 to 5 miles at speeds of up to 45 mph in silence, but most will prefer operating it with the V8 in full flow. Careful attention to aerodynamics make this the Corvette with the highest ever downforce, and massive carbon ceramic brakes are there to bring the car down from the insanely high speeds it can reach. Pricing for the ZR1X is yet to be revealed, but we expect something in the vicinity of $230,000 to $250,000. Like every other C8, it offers unmatched power and performance from a gas or hybrid sports car for the price. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Car and Driver
2 days ago
- Car and Driver
Brembo Brakes, Coming to a Mountain Bike Near You
Italian brake maker Brembo launches its first brake system for professional mountain biking. The 11-time men's downhill champion Specialized Bicycles Gravity Team will showcase the new setup during the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup race in Val di Sole, Italy. The MTB brake kit includes a 9-mm master cylinder, a four-piston caliper, and a triple-adjust lever. Haven't you heard? There's a MotoGP race in Italy this weekend. They're racing at Mugello. According to Brembo analytics, MotoGP riders will slow from 182 to 52 mph into Turn 1, in just 4.7 seconds, as their carbon disc brakes reach temperatures as high as 932 degrees in just that first corner. But today Brembo—supplier of brake calipers, master cylinders, discs, pads, and fluid for motorsports teams in Formula 1, IMSA, WRC, NASCAR, and many others—announced they're peddling technology in a different wheeled sport. It's just introduced a new brake system for professional mountain biking. Brembo Brembo Austin Irwin Technical Editor Austin Irwin has worked for Car and Driver for over 10 years in various roles. He's steadily worked his way from an entry-level data entry position into driving vehicles for photography and video, and is now reviewing and testing cars. What will he do next? Who knows, but he better be fast.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- 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.
