Available to purchase through Lexus dealers and Tom's dealers in Japan, the Tom's Racing Barrel exhaust system for the IS 500 was obviously designed to pass the compulsory vehicle inspection. Over in the Land of the Rising Sun, vehicles up to 10 years old cannot emit more than 96 decibels at 50 centimeters (make that 20 inches) from the outlets.
Tokyo-based Tom's Racing wants 352,000 yen for said exhaust system, which is listed with a one-hour installation time. If you're good with tools and have access to a lift, then yes, an hour is more than enough. The recommended price converts to 2,385 dollars at current exchange rates, which is peanuts for a vehicle as special as the IS 500. Be that as it may, the Japanese company doesn't mention whether said exhaust unlocks a few more ponies and pound-feet.
The naturally-aspirated V8 does make fabulous exhaust noises, and the burnt titanium exhaust tip finish complements the rear diffuser and exterior paint color. In Japan, the IS 500 F Sport Performance can be had for a cool 8,500,000 yen or 57,530 dollars compared to $59,420 in the US of A. Exclusively automatic, the most powerful IS of them all is one of the most powerful JDMs in production nowadays.
First and second go to the GT-R NISMO and GT-R, of course, which develop 592 and 557 horsepower. In third place, Toyota is represented by the IS 500. From a 5.0-liter V8 of the free-breathing variety, this M3-rivaling sedan produces a respectable 475 horsepower, thus besting the far pricier LC 500.
The 2UR-GSE in the IS 500 and LC 500 may be Toyota's final naturally-aspirated V8. With the Japanese automaker fully committed to electric vehicles and hydrogen, there's no place in the company's lineup for such a thirsty powerplant.
Under the EPA's combined test cycle, the IS 500 drinks quite a bit of dinosaur juice. 20 miles per gallon (12.4 liters per 100 kilometers) may be much for some peeps out there, but on the other hand, bear in mind that it's one mile per gallon better than the 2024 model year BMW M3 Competition. Truth be told, the V8-powered W205 C 63 S is more efficient still, returning up to 21 mpg (11.2 l/100 km).
Speaking of the German compact executive sedan, the C 63 S from the 206 series doesn't sport a V8. Rather than giving it a sixer, Merc preferred to combine a true AMG-built turbocharged 2.0-liter mill with a plug-in hybrid system for a total system output of 671 ponies. Quite an insane number, yet a four-pot lump in the 63er is kind of shocking.
The downsizing trend will get only worse in the coming years because of Euro 7 regulations in Europe and CAFE standards in the United States. In the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, the model year 2026 target is 49 mpg (4.8 l/100 km).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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