Lexus F could go hybrid instead of all-electric

Lexus general manager Andrew Gilleland gave an interview over the weekend in which he spoke about the company's plans for the Lexus F. While earlier there were claims that the model would soon go all-electric, now management is talking about the desire to release several hybrid varieties before the car is finally will switch to electric.


Aside from the legendary LFA, all high-performance Lexus models have one thing in common: a naturally aspirated 5,0-liter V8 engine. It was first introduced in the IS F sedan and successfully survived the emergence of alternative turbocharged engines with much smaller volume, but more performance. Today it is still used to produce the RC F model and even appeared in the relatively recently introduced IS 500 F-Performance. But how long will the triumph of the engine, the volume of which is already indecently large for such machines, last?



According to Andrew Gilleland, in its current form, the mentioned V8 2UR is already on its last legs. Despite the fact that the engine turned out to be practically “bulletproof” and generally does not cause any trouble to car owners other than regular oil changes, Lexus does not see a future in the engine. Yes, it is almost impossible to break it even with inept operation, but this advantage alone will not be enough.

One of the indirect confirmations of the mentioned plans of the company is the replacement of the related ICE model 3UR (5,7-liter V8) with a more compact V6 with a twin turbine. From now on, an alternative version of the motor is installed in Lexus LX, Toyota Tundra and Sequoia cars.

Apparently, 2UR will soon go into “retirement” after its more voluminous “colleague”. The realities of the automotive market are such that there is less and less room for massive naturally aspirated engines - the trend is towards small, but at the same time productive engines, and the global trend is towards electrification.



The general manager of Lexus said that the public will see several more hybrids, one way or another related to the F series models, before the lineup is replenished with “pure” electric cars. To some extent, we've seen a similar approach from Lexus before, first with the LC 500h and then with the NX 450h+, which is both Lexus' first hybrid vehicle and the most powerful member of the updated NX family.