Lexus LC F May Get Twin-Turbo Plug-In Hybrid V8

The Lexus LC F program may have been resurrected by the luxury Japanese brand, this time with a twin-turbo plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain.

A video posted by Toyota in recent days showcasing its sixth-generation hybrid technology – the same system coming in the new RAV4 – also showed a few seconds of a mostly transparent coupe, powered by a longitudinally-mounted V8.

While the Lexus LC500h already comes with a V6 hybrid – as well as a non-hybrid V8 – the animation clearly shows a V8 engine in what appears to be the bodywork of the Lexus LC.

The glimpse of the V8-powered coupe in a video about plug-in hybrid technology is almost certainly not a mistake on Toyota’s part, but a coordinated plan to stir up the rumour mill.

Lexus first trademarked the LC F name back in 2017, leading to speculation of a high-performance version of the luxury coupe. However, nothing came of it, and the chatter quickly died.

But in early 2021, Toyota patented a twin-turbo V8 engine, with some media reports claiming the engine was destined for a forthcoming Lexus LC F.

In the years since, there have been countless unconfirmed reports of Toyota developing an all-new supercar – shown as the GR GT3 concept in early 2022 – alongside the company’s luxury arm, with some evidence suggesting the model could be a successor to the V10-powered LFA, named the Lexus LFR.

In September 2022, an image posted to website Lexus Enthusiast showed the GR GT3 wearing a Lexus badge, taken from what was said to have been a closed-door dealer conference in the US.

It’s believed the supercar – or supercars – are to be powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, with some kind of hybrid assistance.

In mid-2024, video emerged of a camouflaged Toyota GR GT3/Lexus LFR testing at the Belgium race track Spa-Francorchamps, with what sounded to be a V8 engine.

While not impossible, it seems improbable Toyota’s engineers would spend years developing an all-new hybrid V8 engine for what is likely to be a limited-production supercar – suggesting the powertrain could find itself in more mainstream products, like a Lexus LC F.

There have also been suggestions the hybrid V8 powertrain could find its way into larger off-road vehicles, like the Lexus LX, the Toyota LandCruiser, and the Toyota Tundra pick-up.

Curiously, this week Toyota President Koji Sato proclaimed an end to “boring cars” created by “logical left-brain thinking”.

“Of course, sportscars need to be sleek, but unless that same passion can be found in other types of cars, you won’t be able to reach customers,” Mr Sato said.

“I’m trying to instill this kind of mindset in each of our project teams. That is the Toyota I want to create, and I will continue working on that this year.

“No doubt we will have more opportunities to talk about exciting cars when the time is right.”

Exactly what is coming down the road is yet to be known, but a limited-edition Lexus LFR halo model, sold alongside a Lexus LC F – to compete with the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG – seems like it could be exactly the type of ambitious thinking the Toyota boss could be referring to.