Lexus confirms turbo V8

Watch out world, Lexus is developing a fire-breathing turbo V8.

Finally, after years of conjecture and speculation, Lexus has confirmed it will stick with V8 power for its hard-core F sports cars.

The new engine will replace the Japanese luxury car brand's ageing naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 (351kW/530Nm) fitted to cars like the Lexus RC F, and has the potential to be a world-beater.

It will be smaller in capacity, but will get twin turbochargers to elevate power, torque and efficiency levels.

The news was buried in a press release touting the brand's next tilt at the Nurburgring 24 Hour race, set to take place between May 21 and 24.

Lexus said its LC race car will make use of a range of new technologies, "…including a newly-developed V8 twin-turbo engine destined for use on future road cars such as sports cars."

So there you have it – Lexus has made an executive decision to stick with eight-cylinder power, rather than using a development of its 3.5-litre 310kW/600Nm V6 as its flagship high-performance engine.

Given the V6 biturbo's figures, it seems almost certain the all-new biturbo V8 will indeed displace 4.0 litres, as reported by Japanese media. Emissions regulations will force Lexus to downsize the V8; the only question is how far that downsizing will go.

Either way, the new engine is all but guaranteed to belt out more than 600hp, which equates to an almighty 447kW. Torque figures are likely to be just as lofty.

Lead driver of the Lexus LC race car, Hiroaki Ishiura, talked as though the Nurburgring 24 Hour race was more of a prolonged shakedown for emerging production car technologies than a genuine tilt at an outright race win.

"This project has accumulated considerable expertise through continuous car making every year, and we hope to use that expertise to develop even faster and safer cars that everyone can enjoy," he said.

Indeed, the 2020 Lexus LC F is tipped to be the first vehicle to make use of the new engine being tested in motorsport, and the LC race race also gets a range of new chassis features, which could be reflected in the production car.

These include "body development" enhancements, such as improved aerodynamics, lower weight thanks to the use of carbon-fibre body panels, suspension development and new light-weight wheels.

"By combining everyone’s strengths to refine the Lexus LC, I hope to provide feedback for reliable car making, accumulate technologies, and contribute to 'making ever-better cars'," stated Ishiura, all but confirming the Lexus LC F.

When the first turbo V8-powered Lexus production model arrives is not yet known, but there's a chance we could see something at the 2020 Geneva motor show, given the engine would be nearing the final stages of development if it's race-ready.

The new Lexus LC F would be a rival for models such as the Mercedes-AMG GT, but will be a niche model with low sales volumes.

However, a born-again Lexus IS F to rival the BMW M3, Audi RS 4 and Mercedes-AMG C 63, would make more commercial sense for the brand.

Lexus execs have previously stated that there are "no plans at the moment" for a new Lexus IS F, and that the current IS sedan not get a V8 engine.

However, the new biturbo V8 could power the next-generation Lexus IS F due beyond 2021, giving it more than enough firepower to make it Toyota's first genuine competitor for the AMG C 63 -- the only remaining V8 in the mid-size premium sports sedan segment.

Watch this space.