Lexus is testing a 600 horsepower, 6-Speed Manual RC prototype
09-25-24, 12:10 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Lexus is testing a 600 horsepower, 6-Speed Manual RC prototype
It seems Lexus saw all the backlash towards the C63 and said "Hell yeah, we want some of that."
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2024/09/...oogle_vignette
Michael on September 22nd, 2024
New details that could shape future high performance Lexus vehicles continue to emerge from a recent press announcement outlining an all-new family of turbocharged engines. If you missed the announcement, new 1.5L N/A, 1.5L turbo, and 2.0L turbo four cylinder engines with higher output and greater efficiency are planned to arrive over the next few years.
The new 2.0T engine was developed with performance applications in mind and now we know more about two prototype vehicles Lexus is testing with this engine: a 600 horsepower RC prototype with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 400 horsepower IS with a quick shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
400 Horsepower Lexus IS Prototype
The Toyota Times released video footage of the event including a test drive in what appears to be a heavily modified third generation Lexus IS fitted with the 400 horsepower tune of the 2.0T engine. While the car is blurred in the beginning of the video, the sound of the new 2.0T can be heard and views from inside the car clearly show it is a 2021+ Lexus IS (21:20 for the IS prototype):
clip shows track driving and acceleration runs in the prototype IS which don’t reveal much other than the sound of the engine and exhaust, as well as seemingly quick paddle shifts from the 8AT… which remind us more than a little of the 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission in the GR Corolla and GR Yaris. If a modified version of that gearbox comes to Lexus performance vehicles, it would only be a good thing.
Here is a translated quote from Karuma News who attended the press event and participated in the ride along:
This time, before this technical briefing, we tested the Toyota “Hilux (6-speed MT)” and Lexus “IS (Paddle Shift)” equipped with a 2-liter turbo.
The Hilux engine is 300 horsepower (red zone: 6200 rpm), and the IS is different from 400 horsepower (red zone: 7100 rpm).
Both of them had a light acceleration feeling of zero start, and there was almost no turbo lag, and it was simply “fun to ride”.
In addition, Toyota’s engineer said about this 2-liter turbo, “Toyota has a globally popular engine called the “2JZ engine”. I would like to aim for an engine that surpasses that,” he said, and he also looked forward to future evolution.
Hilux is a car that is active as a worker and a foot for the common people in emerging countries, and IS is a sports sedan, but the fact that it can cover both areas with the same engine may be said to be a “dream engine”.
The 2JZ inline six might be Toyota’s most iconic engine of all time, so hearing that engineers are aiming to surpass even their own 2JZ with this new 2.0T performance engine is a tall order indeed.
600 Horsepower Lexus RC Prototype
Another Japanese media outlet who participated in the event, Best Car, also had a ride along in the IS prototype and shared this quote revealing the existence of a 600 horsepower Lexus RC prototype:
[After driving the IS prototype] “I would buy this,” I said to the technician, and while I was talking to him, I saw a Lexus RC in the garage, which he said had a 600 horsepower rating. I wasn’t able to test drive it, but it was worth noting that it was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. It was said to be for motorsports, but it speaks to the potential of this engine, and it’s sure to make the tuning industry excited.”
A 600 horsepower Lexus coupe would certainly be exciting for enthusiasts, and such a vehicle with a 6-speed manual would only sweeten the deal. It seems this prototype exists for motorsports testing, but does make us excited about what could be in store for future Lexus F performance vehicles.
It is important to mention that both of these prototypes are development vehicles and they may or may not have direct links to future production models. Using current bodies and platforms to test new powertrains is commonplace in the automotive industry, and since both the IS and RC are at the end of their model cycles, it’s prudent to expect that any future versions with these engines would be all-new generations if they come to exist at all.
As new details are released on these engines and future models, Lexus Enthusiast will keep you updated.
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2024/09/...oogle_vignette
Lexus is testing a 600 horsepower, 6-Speed Manual RC prototype
Posted byMichael on September 22nd, 2024New details that could shape future high performance Lexus vehicles continue to emerge from a recent press announcement outlining an all-new family of turbocharged engines. If you missed the announcement, new 1.5L N/A, 1.5L turbo, and 2.0L turbo four cylinder engines with higher output and greater efficiency are planned to arrive over the next few years.
The new 2.0T engine was developed with performance applications in mind and now we know more about two prototype vehicles Lexus is testing with this engine: a 600 horsepower RC prototype with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 400 horsepower IS with a quick shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
400 Horsepower Lexus IS Prototype
The Toyota Times released video footage of the event including a test drive in what appears to be a heavily modified third generation Lexus IS fitted with the 400 horsepower tune of the 2.0T engine. While the car is blurred in the beginning of the video, the sound of the new 2.0T can be heard and views from inside the car clearly show it is a 2021+ Lexus IS (21:20 for the IS prototype):
Here is a translated quote from Karuma News who attended the press event and participated in the ride along:
This time, before this technical briefing, we tested the Toyota “Hilux (6-speed MT)” and Lexus “IS (Paddle Shift)” equipped with a 2-liter turbo.
The Hilux engine is 300 horsepower (red zone: 6200 rpm), and the IS is different from 400 horsepower (red zone: 7100 rpm).
Both of them had a light acceleration feeling of zero start, and there was almost no turbo lag, and it was simply “fun to ride”.
In addition, Toyota’s engineer said about this 2-liter turbo, “Toyota has a globally popular engine called the “2JZ engine”. I would like to aim for an engine that surpasses that,” he said, and he also looked forward to future evolution.
Hilux is a car that is active as a worker and a foot for the common people in emerging countries, and IS is a sports sedan, but the fact that it can cover both areas with the same engine may be said to be a “dream engine”.
The 2JZ inline six might be Toyota’s most iconic engine of all time, so hearing that engineers are aiming to surpass even their own 2JZ with this new 2.0T performance engine is a tall order indeed.
600 Horsepower Lexus RC Prototype
Another Japanese media outlet who participated in the event, Best Car, also had a ride along in the IS prototype and shared this quote revealing the existence of a 600 horsepower Lexus RC prototype:
[After driving the IS prototype] “I would buy this,” I said to the technician, and while I was talking to him, I saw a Lexus RC in the garage, which he said had a 600 horsepower rating. I wasn’t able to test drive it, but it was worth noting that it was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. It was said to be for motorsports, but it speaks to the potential of this engine, and it’s sure to make the tuning industry excited.”
A 600 horsepower Lexus coupe would certainly be exciting for enthusiasts, and such a vehicle with a 6-speed manual would only sweeten the deal. It seems this prototype exists for motorsports testing, but does make us excited about what could be in store for future Lexus F performance vehicles.
It is important to mention that both of these prototypes are development vehicles and they may or may not have direct links to future production models. Using current bodies and platforms to test new powertrains is commonplace in the automotive industry, and since both the IS and RC are at the end of their model cycles, it’s prudent to expect that any future versions with these engines would be all-new generations if they come to exist at all.
As new details are released on these engines and future models, Lexus Enthusiast will keep you updated.
09-25-24, 01:27 PM
#3
Super Moderator
I sincerely hope it comes to fruition, but I'd unfortunately put its chances at around 5%.
The part that really concerns me is there's very strong implication that they're looking to pull 600hp out of the 2.0T. They don't come right out and say that, but that's the conclusion I draw from the article. 300hp/L from a turbocharged Toyota motor doesn't exactly give me the warm and fuzzies at the moment.
The part that really concerns me is there's very strong implication that they're looking to pull 600hp out of the 2.0T. They don't come right out and say that, but that's the conclusion I draw from the article. 300hp/L from a turbocharged Toyota motor doesn't exactly give me the warm and fuzzies at the moment.
09-25-24, 01:31 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
09-25-24, 01:33 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I sincerely hope it comes to fruition, but I'd unfortunately put its chances at around 5%.
The part that really concerns me is there's very strong implication that they're looking to pull 600hp out of the 2.0T. They don't come right out and say that, but that's the conclusion I draw from the article. 300hp/L from a turbocharged Toyota motor doesn't exactly give me the warm and fuzzies at the moment.
The part that really concerns me is there's very strong implication that they're looking to pull 600hp out of the 2.0T. They don't come right out and say that, but that's the conclusion I draw from the article. 300hp/L from a turbocharged Toyota motor doesn't exactly give me the warm and fuzzies at the moment.
I assume they're doing the same thing Mercedes is. Low compression, big *** turbo, hybrid system to help it move off the line. Pray it doesn't blow up under warranty.
09-25-24, 01:33 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
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09-25-24, 07:21 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Says right there in the article that this engine is only for motorsport:
The only indication that it's going into production is hope from the journalist because all journalists are delusional with their Toyota wishlist fantasies.
Toyota already makes 380 HP 1.6L 3-cylinder for the Yaris WRC so an extra cylinder based on the same boost and compression would give a bit over 500 HP; 600 wouldn't be far fetched with a higher displacement. But this is as much of a pipe dream in a production car anytime soon like the legendary coming-next-year-for-ten-years solid state EV batteries.
It seems this prototype exists for motorsports testing, but does make us excited about what could be in store for future Lexus F performance vehicles.
Toyota already makes 380 HP 1.6L 3-cylinder for the Yaris WRC so an extra cylinder based on the same boost and compression would give a bit over 500 HP; 600 wouldn't be far fetched with a higher displacement. But this is as much of a pipe dream in a production car anytime soon like the legendary coming-next-year-for-ten-years solid state EV batteries.
Last edited by Motorola; 09-25-24 at 07:26 PM.
09-25-24, 07:26 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
I guess a NA V-12 was off the table for the 600hp engine. 
09-25-24, 07:30 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
09-25-24, 11:01 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
09-26-24, 03:15 AM
#12
You all know that tuners in Australia have been tuning the G16E-GTS 1.6L 3cyl up to 700whp, right? That's a stout little engine in its own right. This new 2.0L turbo engine isn't just being slated for the IS and and the coupe that will replace the RC and LC. It's also going to be used in the new Celica in a "GT Four" style trim with around 400hp stock and also in the new MR2 which unfortunately will be limited production.
Nonetheless... this isn't going to be a fragile and delicate engine. Quite the opposite. I'm not worried about this 2.0L having 400hp or even 600hp from the factory.
What I have some concern with is exactly what this engineer's hard number targets actually are when he says he wants to 'beat the 2JZ". The 2JZ-GTE engine was designed around 1990-1991 during the height of the infamous "Bubble Economy". And it was only partly designed with the aid of computers which meant a lot of extra strength was put into those thick high nickel content cast iron blocks the old fashioned way because that's just how it was done back then. Toyota designed an engine which needed to be reliable at 500hp in race tune all day long... but which could be sold to the public detuned by about -200hp from that.
The fact that the engine design could handle, with sensible supporting upgrades, deep into four figure horsepower numbers was a byproduct of their efforts at that time to make a high performance engine to outdo Nissan's RB26DETT that was exceptionally reliable and exceptionally durable.
Also note that the old Toyota 2.0L 4cyl 3S-GTE and 2.0L 4cyl 3S-GE BEAMS (with dual VVT-i) are well known for being able to be built and tuned into the 700whp range. That's with old technology and a similarly stout cast iron block.
Aluminum engine block technology is very far beyond what it was when these infamous 80's-90's-00's Toyota performance engines were first designed.
I am sure Toyota has done an excellent job with their new high performance 2.0L turbo engine which will handle very impressive levels of boost reliably. But I'm not sure if they're quite going for old fashioned 1980's era overbuilding excess such that they can match the 2JZ's high end capability to crank out as much as 1200whp-1400whp or more.
But given what the 1.6L G16 has been able to do I won't be surprised if the 2.0L will have even higher ultimate limits. And that would mean well below the ultimate upper ceiling limits we wouldn't be looking at fragile and under-built fragile time bomb engines. Toyota doesn't tend to do that with their self-designed dedicated high performance engines.
In stock form though I'd love to see the new Lexus RWD coupe come with this engine with even 400hp, a factory 6-speed manual and a factory LSD. I'd certainly go for that.
Nonetheless... this isn't going to be a fragile and delicate engine. Quite the opposite. I'm not worried about this 2.0L having 400hp or even 600hp from the factory.
What I have some concern with is exactly what this engineer's hard number targets actually are when he says he wants to 'beat the 2JZ". The 2JZ-GTE engine was designed around 1990-1991 during the height of the infamous "Bubble Economy". And it was only partly designed with the aid of computers which meant a lot of extra strength was put into those thick high nickel content cast iron blocks the old fashioned way because that's just how it was done back then. Toyota designed an engine which needed to be reliable at 500hp in race tune all day long... but which could be sold to the public detuned by about -200hp from that.
The fact that the engine design could handle, with sensible supporting upgrades, deep into four figure horsepower numbers was a byproduct of their efforts at that time to make a high performance engine to outdo Nissan's RB26DETT that was exceptionally reliable and exceptionally durable.
Also note that the old Toyota 2.0L 4cyl 3S-GTE and 2.0L 4cyl 3S-GE BEAMS (with dual VVT-i) are well known for being able to be built and tuned into the 700whp range. That's with old technology and a similarly stout cast iron block.
Aluminum engine block technology is very far beyond what it was when these infamous 80's-90's-00's Toyota performance engines were first designed.
I am sure Toyota has done an excellent job with their new high performance 2.0L turbo engine which will handle very impressive levels of boost reliably. But I'm not sure if they're quite going for old fashioned 1980's era overbuilding excess such that they can match the 2JZ's high end capability to crank out as much as 1200whp-1400whp or more.
But given what the 1.6L G16 has been able to do I won't be surprised if the 2.0L will have even higher ultimate limits. And that would mean well below the ultimate upper ceiling limits we wouldn't be looking at fragile and under-built fragile time bomb engines. Toyota doesn't tend to do that with their self-designed dedicated high performance engines.
In stock form though I'd love to see the new Lexus RWD coupe come with this engine with even 400hp, a factory 6-speed manual and a factory LSD. I'd certainly go for that.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 09-26-24 at 03:27 AM.
09-26-24, 07:41 AM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
09-26-24, 09:21 AM
#14
drives cars
Somewhat off-topic, but... this website was recently purchased by a friend of mine. He is a big Lexus enthusiast, fittingly. With that said, I am not going to sit here and blindly defend what he wrote here, but at the same time, it was never implied that this was going to be a vehicle for dealerships to sell to regular customers. 600 hp from a four-cylinder while meeting emissions regs and not requiring regular rebuilds? Yeah, right!
I think it is great that they are finally developing smaller turbocharged engines that can compete with the German automakers in terms of power and torque. Hopefully, they'll be more reliable and stronger than the current 2.4-liter turbo engine. I've heard, anecdotally, of things like check-engine lights on relatively-new RX and NX models with that engine. That is hard to imagine on a Lexus. (Then again, even my IS 500 has had a CEL already...)
What I think is even bigger news is that these powertrains are being developed for longitudinally-mounted engines, which means Lexus is most likely going to continue developing cars like the RC and IS with RWD-based platforms.
I think it is great that they are finally developing smaller turbocharged engines that can compete with the German automakers in terms of power and torque. Hopefully, they'll be more reliable and stronger than the current 2.4-liter turbo engine. I've heard, anecdotally, of things like check-engine lights on relatively-new RX and NX models with that engine. That is hard to imagine on a Lexus. (Then again, even my IS 500 has had a CEL already...)
What I think is even bigger news is that these powertrains are being developed for longitudinally-mounted engines, which means Lexus is most likely going to continue developing cars like the RC and IS with RWD-based platforms.
09-26-24, 10:23 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Physics is undefeated, the lower your engine mass the harder it is to keep it reliable.