Lexus F Models Could Soon Feature Hybrid Power
Lexus boss reveals brand’s electrified future plans, which include both an EV & high-performance hybrid GT!
Lexus has long been at the forefront of hybrid vehicle technology, and yet, they’ve also remained steadfast in their performance ideals. While every other automaker on the planet has essentially eschewed naturally-aspirated V8 power in favor of forced induction four and six-cylinder powerplants, the Lexus F lineup refuses to budge. But as good things often do, it appears that this one might soon be coming to an end, too.
Speaking with Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lexus president Yoshihiro Sawa admitted that the brand “cannot stick to the one solution when it comes to providing emotion.” Sawa knows that the writing is on the wall in terms of hybrid Lexus F performance, at the very least.
“F is very important; with F we have to think of our own original way. One solution could be a pure F GT car, which could be a hybrid with an electric motor and a strong engine, giving a different kind of drive feel. We don’t stick to V8, V10, twin-turbocharged; they’re important but we’re looking at the future. We’d like to find a way to connect to the next era.”
Clearly, Lexus is open to the possibility of electrified performance. But Sawa seems cautious about putting all of the brand’s eggs in one basket. “I think that now, we’re in a transitional period. At this moment people say EVs are trendy but three years later, who knows? People like the sound, the dynamics [of combustion engines].”
Sawa also admitted that an all-electric Lexus vehicle is in the works. He called the new UX crossover a strong candidate for an EV model. But that decision isn’t as simple as it seems. “We will introduce an EV but on top of that we’re searching to decide which kind of EV will be lovable. It needs to have a luxury feeling too, because that is expected by our customers.”
Regardless, Lexus isn’t giving up on internal combustion engines just yet. But the possibility of a hybrid LC F to fill that “pure F GT” car status sounds pretty exciting to us. Combining the rumored 4.0-liter, 600 hp twin-turbo V6 with two or four electric motors at the wheels might just be the injection of performance the LC needs to run with the world’s best supercars!
