Lexus Quietly Reveal V8 Replacement
Lexus is well known for producing comfortable sedans, capable SUV’s and innovative hybrids. However, they’ve slowly dropped off the radar for performance after having their naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 grow long in the tooth. In a day and age where you have 4-cylinder engines squeezing out just as much power as your V8, you know it’s time to be concerned. And it seems they’ve finally realised this.
The 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 is currently employed in the hottest and most hardcore Lexus models, including the likes of the Lexus LC 500 and the Lexus RC F. Some buyers may find this engine appealing, but nowadays the purchase decision mostly comes down to specs and numbers on paper, and that’s a battle that the 5.0-litre V8 struggles with. Luckily for us, Lexus has revealed the successor to the naturally aspirated block.
The new high-performance powerplant that will push the future of Lexus’ sports car will retain all eight cylinders, however they will now be accompanied by a pair of turbochargers. That’s right – Lexus didn’t downsize their flagship performance motor. The manufacturer announced the new engine in a press release, "In 2020, the [Lexus LC racing] team will use what it has learnt through these hard experiences and aim to complete the race without any trouble by adopting a variety of new technologies, including a newly-developed V8 twin-turbo engine destined for use on future road cars such as sports cars."
This is a big deal for Lexus’ performance division considering that the new engine will produce more than 447kW of power compared to the current 351kW offered by the naturally aspirated motor. Now that we know about the engine, the next question is which car it will debut in. One possibility could be the long-rumoured Lexus LC F which could be a potent rival against the likes of the BMW 8-Series.
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FAQ
Q: What is the Lexus V8 replacement engine?
The Lexus V8 replacement is a newly-developed twin-turbo V8 engine that produces over 447kW of power, compared to the current naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8's 351kW output.
Q: Which Lexus models will get the new twin-turbo V8 engine?
The new twin-turbo V8 is destined for future Lexus sports cars, with the rumoured Lexus LC F being the most likely debut model to compete against high-performance rivals.
Q: Is the new Lexus V8 turbocharged or naturally aspirated?
The new Lexus V8 is twin-turbocharged, marking a significant departure from their current naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that powers models like the LC 500 and RC F.
Q: How much more powerful is the new Lexus V8 compared to the old one?
The new twin-turbo V8 produces over 447kW, which is approximately 96kW more than the current naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8's 351kW output, representing a 27% power increase.
Q: When will the new Lexus twin-turbo V8 be available in production cars?
Lexus hasn't announced specific timing, but the engine was first tested in their LC racing programme in 2020 and is confirmed for future road-going sports cars, suggesting availability within the next few years.
Should You Buy It?
Hold your horses there, speed demon. While this new twin-turbo V8 sounds like the business with its 447kW punch, it's not available in any showroom cars just yet. If you're eyeing current Lexus performance models like the LC 500 (starting around R1,800,000) or RC F (around R1,500,000), you'll be getting the older naturally aspirated V8. The smart money says wait for the LC F with this new monster motor, but that could be years away. For now, if you need Lexus performance immediately and have deep pockets, the current V8 models are still solid choices, just don't expect to embarrass the latest German rockets at the drag strip.
