Will LFA Successor Really Get Lexus' Twin-Turbo V8?

New Rumor

For years, rumors have swirled that indicate Lexus may add a twin-turbocharged V8 to one of its sports cars - most likely, the LC coupe in the form of an LC F. However, the Japanese car news site Mag-X recently reported that this particular engine may instead wind up being utilized in an ICE-powered version of the company's recently-revealed Sport concept, an LFA successor that most expect to be all-electric only.

Photos: Lexus

Strange but Intriguing

The Electrified Sport Concept certainly looks the part, with swoopy lines and an all-electric powertrain with enough juice to make it far quicker than its spiritual predecessor. After Lexus announced that it was committing to an electric future last year, this new rumor seems a bit strange, but it's quite intriguing as well.

Photos: Lexus

Track to Street

When Lexus debuted its twin-turbo V8 in the LC500 endurance racer back in 2018, it was expected that this new powertrain would later be offered in more than one road-going vehicle, as the brand admitted that this particular engine was a testbed for future models. However, that hasn't come to fruition just yet.

Photos: Lexus

Changing Plans

With the LC F reportedly dead and Lexus chugging along toward an all-electric future, that possibility also seemed equally DOA until this rumor surfaced. With the road version of the GR010 Le Mans Hypercar also shelved, Lexus IS reportedly looking to do something with its fancy powerplant. 

Photos: Lexus

Reversing Course

It certainly seems highly unlikely that Lexus would actually sell its future EV model with an ICE powertrain, though we suppose stranger things have happened. But we must also consider the fact that Lexus stopped developing V8 engines a year ago, which means that it would have to reverse course there as well.

Photos: Lexus

Other Obstacles

Then there's the matter of selling a halo car with two different powertrains, as well as making an ICE engine work in a vehicle that rides on a platform specially designed for electric power. However, it's also possible that Lexus planned that from the very beginning.

Photos: Lexus

Case Against

Only time will tell if this rumor is correct, but we certainly won't be holding out breath. As amazing as a twin-turbo V8-powered LFA successor might be, it's pretty clear that Lexus is fully committed to EVs, and a limited production vehicle like the Sport concept can't make much of a business case for multiple powertrains, either.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the potential LFA successor right here at ClubLexus.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.