Future Lexus F Models Might Go Hybrid Before All-Electric

Except for the legendary LFA, all of Lexus’s high-performance choices have had one factor in widespread: the 2UR engine, a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. First launched within the IS F sedan, the venerable 90-degree V8 has survived the rise of smaller-displacement, turbocharged options and carries on at this time within the RC F and the just lately launched IS 500 F-Efficiency. However for a way lengthy?

“I believe the 2UR in its present kind is on its final legs,” Lexus Basic Supervisor Andrew Gilleland advised Motor1.com throughout an interview on the 2022 Rolex 24 At Daytona final weekend. That doesn’t imply the model boss isn’t a fan of the engine. “It’s simply bulletproof. The factor ain’t gonna break, and also you don’t really want to do a lot apart from change the oil and keep it,” Gilleland stated.

However the actuality of at this time’s market is probably going an excessive amount of for the 2UR to proceed.

“I believe that is in all probability the final of it, definitely within the IS 500 it’s one of many promoting factors,” Gilleland stated. “I can look a buyer within the eye and say, ‘I’m fairly certain that is in all probability it.’”

Backing up that assertion is the truth that Lexus’ guardian firm, Toyota, has already changed the 3UR, a associated 5.7-liter V8, with a twin-turbocharged V6 within the Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX. And whereas we’d like to see a high-output turbocharged engine in an RC or future high-performance IS, Gilleland appears to trace that Lexus will go in a special path.

“My guess is you’ll see lots of hybrid, within the reference to [F] earlier than you get to full electrical,” the Lexus boss stated. “In case you’ve ever pushed a Tesla or a [Porsche] Taycan, the acceleration blows your lid. So do you’re taking electrification and make it not simply in regards to the atmosphere, however efficiency too?”

To a small extent, we’ve already seen this method from Lexus, first with the LC 500h, however rather more just lately with the NX 450h+, which is each Lexus’ first PHEV and essentially the most highly effective member of the redesigned NX household. Toyota, too, has seen success with a plug, with the RAV4 Prime remaining a critically acclaimed hot-ticket merchandise and the spiciest model of the favored CUV virtually two years after its launch.

Whereas Gilleland stopped in need of revealing extra, it looks like a brand new tackle F efficiency isn’t far off.

“We have now a four-year life cycle [on the IS 500], after which past that there are another powertrains. My mates are calling me and asking ‘Are you constructing one other one?’. I extremely doubt it. I’d go get one and put it in your storage.”