New Report Says Twin-Turbo Lexus V8 Not Dead
It’s a long shot. But the chances that the twin-turbo Lexus V8 could trickle down into the Tundra aren’t zero.
Before the 2022 Tundra was unveiled back in September, there was lots of speculation about what would be under the hood. Of course, we now know that top-spec versions of Toyota’s big rig are powered by a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 and an electric motor. That set up is good for 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft. of torque, which while respectable enough, isn’t anywhere near weapons-grade kit like the RAM TRX or the forthcoming Ford Raptor R. So if Toyota ever wants to shoot for the top of the class? It’s going to need something with more grunt — and that’s what makes this report about the second-generation LFA so interesting.
According to our friends over at Japan’s Best Car, a new version of the limited-edition supercar is currently in development, and a confidential source inside Gazoo Racing says it’ll be packing a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. The long-rumored eight-pot will also likely be fortified with a hybrid system, which will reportedly stoke output to somewhere in the 700-horsepower range. That’s exactly the kind of power you’d need to build a properly ferocious off-roader, and the chances that the high-power mill could trickle down the family tree are not zero.
If the rumors are true, the new LFA will drop sometime in 2025, and it will be the last Lexus to feature a powertrain with internal combustion. Unlike the first LFA, which was capped at a 500-unit run, and was initially only available to lease, there will be no such restrictions on the forthcoming supercar. Whether you can buy one will largely be dictated by whether you can pony up the $200,000 price tag. So while you’re unlikely to see them cranked out like Camrys, the engine won’t be as precious a commodity as the sonorous Yamaha-tuned V10 was.
Obviously, we have far more questions than answers about the new LFA, and that’s going to remain true for the foreseeable future. But if the high-end off-road market stays as hot as it is right now? Toyota might not be able to resist the temptation to get a piece of that action, and dropping a version of the LFA’s powerplant into the Tundra could prove just the ticket. By the time this scenario would be feasible, the Tundra would have already been on sale for five years, so providing a bare-knuckle complement to the Capstone Grade could prove a way to freshen up model range. But what do you think? Is there any possibility a version of the LFA engine could wind up in a truck? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Lexus