Lexus’ new IS model gets a partial upgrade. Introducing the special edition “F SPORT Mode Black 4”! The IS500 also gets a new appeal!

Lexus announced a partial improvement to its mid-class sedan, the IS, on January 23, 2025, and simultaneously released the special edition F SPORT Mode Black 4. This improvement includes changes to the interior and exterior design and enhanced equipment to further enhance the sporty appeal of the IS.

Summary of changes to the Lexus IS

About the Lexus IS partial improvement

• IS500
  
  • Genuine leather seats available as a manufacturer option in three colors: black, white, and flare red.
  • Black painted and smoked plated exterior mirrors
• IS300h
  
  • Add an external power supply attachment to the accessory outlet (AC100V/1500W)

New genuine leather seats for the IS500

With the partial improvement of the IS, genuine leather seats in three colors – black, white, and flare red – are now available as a manufacturer option for the high-performance model “IS500 F SPORT Performance.” The high-quality genuine leather seats provide a comfortable seating experience that supports sporty driving and reduces driver fatigue.

Add an external power supply attachment to the IS300h

For the IS300h, an external power supply attachment has been added to the factory-optional accessory outlet (AC100V, 1500W). This allows the power cord to be pulled out and power supplied with the windows closed, preventing insects and rainwater from entering the car.

Reviewing the IS lineup

With this improvement, the AWD model of the IS300h has been discontinued, and all vehicles are now FR models. In addition, the IS350 equipped with a V6 3.5L engine has also been discontinued, and the lineup has been reorganized to three powertrains: IS300, IS300h, and IS500.

Lexus IS partial improvement special edition “F SPORT Mode Black 4” dresses up in bold black

The “F SPORT Mode Black 4” is based on the “F SPORT” grade of the IS300h and IS300, and features bold styling with a black base and a full range of equipment. On the exterior, black-painted forged aluminum wheels tighten the feet and accentuate the sporty impression. In addition, the smoke-plated black door mirrors and black stainless steel window moldings create a stylish side view.

The interior is also unified in black, achieving both a sporty and high-quality feel. The black sports seats, made from a combination of Ultrasuede® and L-tex, provide excellent support and a comfortable seating experience. In addition, the silver-black steering wheel and ash (open finish/silver-black) ornament panel create a sophisticated atmosphere in the cockpit.

Furthermore, the 8-inch TFT LCD meter, exclusive to this special edition vehicle, displays a special opening animation when it starts up, elevating the driver’s mood and building anticipation for the ride ahead.

In terms of functionality, a panoramic view monitor (with underfloor transparency display) is standard equipment, which supports parking in tight spaces and driving on rough roads, improving safety.

The “F SPORT Mode Black 4” is a special vehicle that not only pursues sporty driving, but also enhances safety and comfort, meeting the needs of a wide range of users.

The price of the “F SPORT Mode Black 4” is 6.35 million yen for the IS300h and 5.9 million yen for the IS300.

Main features of the special edition “F SPORT Mode Black 4”

• Base vehicle: IS300h/IS300 “F SPORT”
• Exterior
  
  • Special edition forged aluminum wheels (BBS black paint)
  • Door mirrors exclusive to special edition vehicles (black paint + smoked plating decoration)
  • Window molding (black stainless steel for special edition vehicles)
• interior
  
  • Special edition Ultrasuede® (black) / L-tex sports seats (driver’s seat position memory / driver and passenger seat ventilation and seat heating)
  • Special edition dimpled genuine leather steering wheel (with paddle shifters) in Ash (open finish/silver black) and “F SPORT” exclusive dimpled genuine leather shift knob
  • Special edition vehicle-exclusive 8-inch TFT LCD meter (with special edition vehicle-exclusive opening, TFT color multi-information display, and rear seat reminder function)
  • Special edition ornament panel Ash (open finish/silver black)
• function
  
  • Panoramic view monitor (with underfloor transparency display function)
  • Rear seat SRS side airbags
• price
  
  • IS300h: 6.35 million yen
  • IS300: 5.9 million yen

Further improved driving performance

The IS underwent a major overhaul in November 2020, improving its driving performance by increasing body rigidity. This overhaul eliminated the AWD option available on the hybrid IS300h, making all vehicles FR models, resulting in more direct handling.

The IS500 F SPORT Performance is equipped with a 5-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine that produces 481 hp/54.5 kgm, and can accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. It combines overwhelming acceleration performance with the dynamic handling that only a FR vehicle can offer.

The IS300 is equipped with a 2L inline 4-cylinder turbo engine that produces 245ps/35.7kgm, achieving both powerful acceleration and excellent fuel economy.

The IS300h is equipped with a hybrid system consisting of a 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine and a motor, with a system output of 226ps, achieving both excellent fuel economy and smooth acceleration.

New IS300h IS300 specifications

New IS500 F SPORT Performance Specifications

Enhanced safety equipment

The IS comes standard with the latest Lexus Safety System +. Improved performance from the monocular camera and millimeter-wave radar has expanded the coverage area of ​​the Pre-Collision Safety system, which can detect cyclists during the day and pedestrians at night. It can also detect oncoming vehicles moving straight ahead before turning right at an intersection, and pedestrians crossing the street from the front when turning right or left.

In addition, new features have been added, such as emergency steering assistance, which assists steering within the lane when the driver steers, and low-speed acceleration suppression, which helps prevent accidents at low speeds.

Fully equipped with comfortable facilities

The IS is packed with features designed with driver comfort in mind. The infotainment system, equipped with a 10.3-inch touch display, supports SmartDeviceLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, strengthening smartphone connectivity for a comfortable drive.

In addition, operability has been improved with the adoption of an electric parking brake and remote touch.

price

Prices for the IS range from 4,810,000 yen to 8,500,000 yen. The special edition “F SPORT Mode Black IV” is priced at 6,350,000 yen for the IS300h and 5,900,000 yen for the IS300.

About the LEXUS IS series

The IS series began sales in 1999 with the IS200, a Lexus model of Toyota’s Altezza in Japan.

The second generation went on sale in 2005, but the 2L model was discontinued, the size became one size larger, the price range increased, and the target customer base changed.

The current third generation, which is the older model, went on sale on May 16, 2013. The 2L model was revived and the IS200t was released on July 23, 2015. A minor change was made on October 20, 2016, with changes to the front bumper design and interior design, changing the image. Some specifications were changed in October 2017. The turbocharged “IS200t” was renamed the “IS300”.

A major minor change was made to the car on November 5, 2020, and the special edition “F SPORT Mode Black” was released on the same day. The exterior design concept was “Agile & Provocative,” and the aim was to create an aggressive design with a wide and low stance that suggests driving performance and sharp character lines.

The adoption of thin headlights equipped with newly developed small and lightweight lamp units, the low-set grille area and correspondingly lowered side character lines, and the design of the rear end of the luggage compartment all express a low center of gravity.

About the Lexus IS500 F SPORT Performance

The IS500 comes standard with the F Sport’s Dynamic Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Torsen Handling Package (DHP). Limited-slip differential (LSD) performance is improved. The LSD also helps maintain straight-line stability. Engineers further enhanced chassis performance with the addition of Yamaha® ^rear performance dampers. These dampers reduce dynamic structural distortion, improving comfort at low speeds and enhancing stability and agility at high speeds. Brake cooling enhancements are also included over the standard IS 350 F Sport, with additional aerodynamic cooling and larger 14.0-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rear rotors.

The IS 500 features subtle exterior enhancements that set it apart from the standard IS 350 F SPORT. The hood has been raised nearly two inches and receives a sculpted central character line, while the front bumper and fenders have been lengthened to accommodate the vehicle’s naturally aspirated V8 muscle. The IS 500 comes standard with exclusive 19-inch split-10-spoke Enkei aluminum wheels. Not only are they beautiful and intricate, but the wheels are also approximately one pound lighter per front wheel and two pounds lighter per rear wheel compared to the standard 19-inch F SPORT wheels. Other exterior updates include a revised lower rear diffuser accent that highlights the quad exhaust system, and dark chrome window trim. Tying these visual and performance cues together is a black “IS F SPORT” rear lip spoiler.

The driver is greeted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and black F SPORT Performance badges on the door sill scuff plates. The IS F SPORT accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and footrest are also standard, while the combination instrument cluster receives updated startup animations exclusive to the IS500.

A word from the editorial department

The special edition Lexus IS is even more attractive with its bold black finish! The “F SPORT Mode Black IV” model boasts irresistible black styling! The black accents on the forged aluminum wheels, door mirrors, and other details further enhance the sportiness of the IS.

The interior is also unified in black, achieving both sportiness and luxury. The special edition gauges and seats will also satisfy the joy of ownership.

The IS500’s leather seats are available in three colors: black, white, and flare red, so you can customize the interior to your liking.

Another nice feature is that the IS300h now comes with an external power supply attachment, which will come in handy in a variety of situations, including outdoors and in emergencies.

With this special edition and some improvements, the Lexus IS has become even more attractive. Be sure to check out the actual car at our showroom!

Lexus news release

https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/lexus/42111089.html

Lexus IS

https://lexus.jp/models/is