Enjoying two remarkable aspects of the Lexus LFR: the exhilaration and refined luxury, yet feeling a tinge of concern regarding its potential fuel efficiency.
New Lexus Flagship Sports Car to Debut with Powerful V-8 Engine
Lexus is set to unveil its new flagship sports car, the LFR, which is expected to be positioned above the sixth-generation Toyota Supra due after 2026. The LFR is projected to start at an impressive $550,000, making it the most expensive Lexus ever made, surpassing the LF-A's current price of $375,000.
The LFR's twin-turbo V-8 engine is anticipated to produce over 800 horsepower, a significant leap for Lexus and Toyota. However, the output for the production model has not been confirmed, and it may be subject to emissions regulations.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Toyota GT's production model, which has some design similarities with the 1990s Mazda FD RX-7, seems to be following a different path. Reports suggest that the Toyota GT will share hardware with both Toyota and Lexus, including the new rotary sports car from Mazda.
On the other hand, the next-generation Toyota GR Supra will reportedly use a new 2.0-liter turbo-four with hybrid assist, a stark contrast to the LFR's V-8 engine.
As for Mazda, their upcoming flagship rotary sports car is expected to revive its iconic design language with nods to past RX models and rotary power, integrating new hybrid tech where the rotary functions as a range extender or potentially even direct drive. The goal is to create a standalone sports car identity.
In the world of automotive experts, Dimitar Angelov, who has a particular interest in Japanese brands like Toyota, has shared his insights on the upcoming Lexus and Toyota flagship models. His commentary can be found below.
The LFR GT3 race car and Toyota GT's production model were both previewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking an exciting time for sports car enthusiasts. The production variant of the Japanese flagship sports car is expected to arrive by 2027.
However, the price difference between the Lexus and Toyota versions of the flagship sports car remains a mystery, with Lexus yet to justify this significant price gap.
In a separate development, Toyota recently discontinued the 5.0-liter 2UR V-8 engine, which is noteworthy considering the LFR's V-8 engine is a first for Toyota and Lexus in production cars.
It's important to note that any visual or design resemblance between the Toyota GT and Mazda's FD RX-7 revival would likely be coincidental or due to shared JDM sports car culture and design cues rather than explicit partnership-driven hardware or design sharing.
Lastly, the 2026 Lexus ES will no longer have the option of a V-6 engine, signalling a shift in focus towards more eco-friendly options in the Lexus lineup.
[1] Toyota and Mazda Partnership: What it Means for the Future of Sports Cars
[2] Upcoming Lexus and Toyota Flagship Models: A Deep Dive
- The Toyota GT, which shares hardware with both Toyota and Lexus, including the new rotary sports car from Mazda, is following a different path in the world of transportation compared to the V-8 powered Lexus LFR.
- As the 2026 Lexus ES will no longer offer a V-6 engine, there seems to be a focus in the automotive industry on introducing more finance-friendly, eco-friendly options in the technology-driven Lexus lineup.
