Rumours gather pace over possible Lexus LFA successor
Japanese media reports suggest Lexus could be developing a new LFA supercar, potentially with a hybrid V8 and a major power hike over the original.
Reports from Japan have sparked fresh speculation that Lexus is developing a successor to the LFA supercar, this time with a hybridised V8 engine and a dramatic increase in power. The original LFA, produced between 2010 and 2012, established Lexus as a credible force in the supercar segment. Now, if the latest rumours prove accurate, its follow-up could arrive with a new powertrain and a headline output claimed to reach 800hp.
The report, originating from Japanese outlet Response, suggests Lexus engineers are back at work on a halo car that would follow the LFA’s template but with a modern twist. The proposed engine is a 3.7-litre V8, down from the original’s 4.8-litre V10, but with hybrid assistance pushing total output to a claimed 800hp. That would mark a 240hp increase over the first LFA, despite a reduction in cylinder count and displacement. There is no word yet on whether Yamaha, which played a major role in the development of the V10, is involved in the new project.
Rumoured technical changes
If the 3.7-litre hybrid V8 materialises, it would reflect a broader shift in the supercar market towards electrification and downsizing. The original LFA was renowned for its high-revving, naturally aspirated V10 and carbonfibre construction. A move to a hybrid V8 would bring lower emissions and potentially improved fuel economy, though such figures are unlikely to be a priority for buyers in this segment.
- Original LFA: 4.8-litre V10, 560hp, 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds
- Rumoured successor: 3.7-litre hybrid V8, 800hp (unconfirmed)
Despite the excitement, there is no official word from Lexus or Toyota on the project. Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus Europe, recently told a British publication that a future supercar is possible but not in active development. That statement suggests any new LFA remains at the rumour stage, with no confirmation of engineering work or a production timeline.
Timing and context
Response claims the new supercar could be shown as early as the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, but offers no supporting evidence. Such a timeline would be ambitious given the lack of official confirmation or prototype sightings. For now, the prospect of a second-generation LFA remains speculation, though the appetite for a new Lexus halo car is clear among enthusiasts.
