Lexus V8 engines to spearhead performance car revival

Lexus is putting the final touches on a trio of new high-performance models under its rejuvenated ‘F’ sub-brand, and two of them will be armed with a twin-turbocharged V8 producing more than 500kW – or 670hp.

That’s the word from Japan’s Best Car Web, which claims that Lexus will unleash three new F-branded models – LC F, LS F and IS F – around November, all packing in eight cylinders under the bonnet.

The tip of the arrow will be the flagship Lexus LC F, rumoured to be a lightweight, carbon-fibre-bodied track-attack warrior with BMW M8-slaying credentials.

The scorching new Lexus LC F will leverage the Japanese brand’s motorsport developments – including the officially confirmed twin-turbo petrol V8 in the LC race car – with power and torque output from the 4.0-litre bi-turbo bent-eight claimed to be 493kW/650Nm.

If the report’s data is proven correct, the LC F will outpower the BMW M8 Competition, which uses a 460kW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

There’s no word (official or otherwise) on what transmissions will be used with the new engine, but it’s likely an all-new gearbox will be required to deal with the extreme power output.

Just don’t expect a manual.

The Lexus LC F was spied testing way back in mid-2018.

Meanwhile, the Lexus LS F limo is expected to use the same engine to line up against AMG versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while a reborn Lexus IS F – thought to have been off the table – will reportedly be powered by the brand’s ageing 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 that’s good for 353kW/530Nm.

This would put the wider, faster new Lexus IS F on par with the incoming six-cylinder turbo BMW M3 (353kW), but off the pace of the top-spec M3 Competition and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S (375kW apiece).

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda has achieved great success in rebooting Toyota’s performance car strategy with the GR sub-brand and it stands to reason that he would want to do the same with Lexus.

The luxury brand has already invested heavily in a new technical centre in Shimoyama, Japan, which opened in early 2019 and features a custom-made test track that replicates some elements of the Nurburgring road course in Germany.

The first new model to be fully developed and tested at the Shimoyama technical centre and test track is the new Lexus IS, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Watch this space.