America’s IS500 Ultimate Edition is getting the JDM treatment, but with a twist. Lexus is renaming its sports sedan the Climax Edition. Whether the sexual innuendo is intentional or we have dirty minds is unclear. It’s probably the latter, but the special version’s name still makes us chuckle. The badge appears on the center console and in the digital gauge cluster, just in case you forget this isn’t your average IS.
The Climax Edition comes from the same parent company that once had a military-spec Toyota BJ and a Daihatsu Naked kei car. Aside from the unexpected name, it’s essentially an IS500 Ultimate Edition with right-hand drive. Considering the names Lexus is using, it seems the end may be near for the luxury sedan. It’s a logical conclusion we’re making, given that this third-generation model has been around for 12 years.
Photo by: Lexus
The fact that it’s getting a bit long in the tooth isn’t all bad. Its venerable age means it hasn’t fallen victim to downsizing. You still get a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8. For the Climax Edition, Lexus adds front Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers and 380-mm ventilated discs, matching the U.S. version. It also gets the same 19-inch forged BBS wheels with a matte black finish. The Neutrino Gray paint is carried over as well for what is probably the car’s last hurrah.
Inside, the IS500 in Climax Edition flavor offers a few extras beyond the cheeky badging. The red and black interior theme will look familiar if you’ve seen its American sibling. There’s dimpled leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, along with laser-etched red accents on the analog clock. Unique front door scuff plates round off the changes, further emphasizing the car’s unusual name.
Lexus hasn’t made any changes to the 2UR-GSE engine, so the aging BMW 3 Series rival continues with 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet (535 Newton-meters) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Just like in America, Lexus will sell only 500 units in Japan. The IS500 Climax Edition is priced at 9,500,000 yen, or about $65,300 at current exchange rates. Sales begin in August.
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Source: Lexus
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