Lexus Ends the V8 Era With a Climax Only Japan Gets to Enjoy
By Team Dailyrevs June 21, 2025
A Last Tribute to the 5.0-Liter V8
Lexus is introducing what will likely be its last naturally aspirated V8 sedan in style, but under the radar, surgically, and in exclusivity from the market. The 2025 Lexus IS 500 Climax Edition is a Japan-market special trim limited to 500 units, a low-key but forceful end to the IS's V8 era.
Truly built on the IS 500 F Sport Performance, this Climax Edition trim features hardware and cosmetic upgrades that position it as the best of the IS lineup—short of fantasy or nostalgia. Lexus is not looking back; it's acknowledging the end of an era while keeping the conversation about engineering.
Subtle Styling Cues Meet Focused Engineering
Finished in Neutrino Grey paint alone, the Climax Edition stands apart through virtue of tonal reserve. The exterior avoids obtrusive badging, with visual emphasis reserved for 19-inch matte black BBS forged wheels and enhanced 380 mm Brembo front brakes. They are cosmetic overhauls in more than in name—they reflect Lexus' policy of refinement, not reinvention.
Interior, the cabin echoes the theme. Two-tone red and black interior is where Ultrasuede, leather, and L‑tex trim merge, supported by red seatbelts and discreet Climax Edition branding throughout console, scuff plates, and digital gauge cluster. It's performance-focused without being performative.
V8 Lives On—for Now
Beneath the surface, the Climax Edition is mechanically identical to a standard IS 500 F Sport. That means a 5.0-liter V8 putting out 472 horsepower (351 kW) and 395 lb-ft (536 Nm) of torque, channeled through an 8-speed automatic to the rear wheels. It's something Lexus has fettled since the IS 500's return and offers one of the last genuine V8 experiences in a midsize sedan.
This isn't a start over—it's a final chapter. With zero mechanical upgrades, focus shifts to weight saving and component tweaking rather than additional power. The forged brakes and wheels suggest Lexus didn't care about greater parade-standing theatrics and instead aimed for more track consistency.
The Climax Edition will be released in Japan alone in August 2025, and Lexus has made no indications of any foreign distribution. Its sole limitation to 500 units speaks to its purpose: an introduction in a region, not a global push.
This decision also aligns with recent moves to regionalize special editions in ways that resonate with local markets. It’s not necessarily about demand—it’s about signaling where performance and legacy intersect in Lexus’ future plans. In a time when high-displacement engines face regulatory pressure globally, this model acts as both an engineering capstone and a market-specific gesture.
The Lexus IS 500 Climax Edition is Japan-only V8 sedan limited to 500 units, blending subtle performance clues with styling that pays homage to its heritage.
-
It retains the 472 hp 5.0-liter V8, joined by upgraded Brembo brakes and forged BBS wheels for the purposes of track reliability and handling delicacy.
-
Lexus heralds the subtle passing of its naturally aspirated V8, with refinement and restraint instead of flash.
