Lexus celebrates 25 years of the IS with a special appearance package

1999 was the year that the Lexus IS was born. 25 years later, it remains a popular choice in markets where it is available. Even the current generation of the compact executive sedan soldiers-on more than 10 years since it was first introduced in 2013.

In celebration of the nameplate’s 25th birthday, Lexus has given the IS a few updates, as well as a special and limited edition appearance package in North America. 

Starting with the lower variants, the American-spec IS 300 and IS 350 F Sport get standard dark chrome exterior trim. 

Both also now come standard with a power-adjustable steering column; power-folding mirrors; and memory function for the driver’s seat, steering column, and side mirrors. Just to get it out there, those are already standard on the Philippine-spec version. The IS 350 F Sport also gets a heated steering wheel as standard.

The pièce de résistance here is the limited edition IS 500 Special Appearance Package. Limited to just 180 units, this gives the IS 500 a very eye-catching Flare Yellow exterior paint job, a unique set of 19-inch V-spoke BBS wheels, Black NuLuxe leather and suede seat upholstery, color-coordinated floor mats and key gloves, and a SmartAccess Card Key.

Oh and in case you didn’t know, the IS 500 is powered by a 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V8 gasoline engine that produces 479 horsepower and 535 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. 

Here in the Philippines, the most we can get is the 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6 engine making 315 horsepower and 315 Nm.

With the number of units to be made available limited once again to just 180, it’s very unlikely that the special yellow IS 500 would be introduced here. Who knows though? Perhaps Lexus Philippines can introduce its own limited edition version of this persevering compact sedan.