The new Lexus flagship sports car will rely on a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 with hybrid assist, said to produce over 800 horsepower – a big upgrade over the Lexus LF-A’s 552-horsepower V-10. The LFR’s engine alone will put out 700 horsepower, but this output may be reduced due to the company struggling to meet emissions regulations (sigh).
Here’s where things get a bit weird for the Japanese supercar. Raced as Lexus, sold as a Toyota? We know that the Lexus LF-A successor will feature the twin-turbo V-8, but what about the Toyota model?
Toyota was eyeing Mazda’s inline-six, but from what we hear from all the video footage, both prototypes are V-8-powered, so that’s a no-go. Moreover, the next-generation Toyota GR Supra will, reportedly, use the new 2.0-liter turbo-four with hybrid assist.
The Lexus LFR is said to start at $550,000, which makes it the most expensive Lexus ever made – even more expensive than the LF-A’s $375,000 sticker price, which has gone up since. Granted, this number is for the GT3 race variant, and there’s no official pricing for the road-going model yet.
I suspect the Toyota version will be a lot cheaper, but if they use the same engine – probably in de-tuned form or without the hybrid bits – then how will Lexus justify the steep price difference, which will, no doubt, be in effect? I suspect Toyota’s version will be the homologation for the Lexus LF-R, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Vagueness and mystery are the name of the game, as with any upcoming model still in a pre-production state. The production variant of the Japanese flagship sports car is expected to arrive by 2027. What are your thoughts on the Lexus / Toyota flagship model? Will Toyota’s road-going variant will be a homologation for the Lexus GT3 race car? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Dimitar Angelov’s automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov’s car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Automotive Mike via YouTube
Source: torquenews.com
