Lexus & BMW Working on 1,000 Horsepower LFA Successor?


Peter Lyons from Motoring Australia has just unleashed a wild rumor concerning a potential supercar from a Lexus/BMW joint project:

Our source lets on that both companies have jointly built a prototype in a mid-engined layout with full-time AWD.

Toyota is rumoured to be testing a detuned version of its Le Mans TS040 race car’s 520hp (388kW) 3.7-litre V8 for the Lexus version of the supercar. And with the 480hp (358kW) produced by the front and rear [electric] motors, the total power output would reach the magic number of 1000hp (745kW).

Our insider says however that “while 1000hp is possible, fuel consumption, emissions concerns and engine tolerance figures will see a more realistic figure of 800hp (596kW) targeted.”

The idea of Lexus and BMW collaborating on a supercar has been going on since the Toyota/BMW technology sharing agreement was signed in 2011. Normally, this would be written off as pure crazy, but Peter Lyons has been accurate with Lexus rumors in the past.

Even if there’s a shred of truth to this news, there are too many moving parts to say if this is a car that will be released — let’s not ignore the BMW side of the equation:

And here’s the highlight. From what our insider reveals, there are two power units currently under development. The power source for BMW’s supercar will be a bespoke M-developed straight-six twin turbo with plug-in hybrid technology courtesy of Toyota.

FutureLexus LFARumors
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    abed-RCF
  • September 21, 2015
please...tell me you don't believe this, lexus and above 550hp do not go together, their hp history is not that good....even BMW won't do it....i would say around 550hp is the sweet spot....because 800hp means it's a hyper car so the cost will be at least 400k...
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    Adrian de Leon
  • September 21, 2015
Make an IS-F, a next ten LS/LS-Fand a LC/LC-F
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    Adrian de Leon
  • September 21, 2015
Make those before they make a HyperCar
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sounds good, but a V10.... it's a V10! V8 can't match the V10 glamour. aka high rpm.
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    spwolf
  • September 21, 2015
crazy australians and their imagination... TS040 engine is not production ready and will not ever be... besides, they are going V6 with turbo for next year.
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    Robbie Abruzzese
  • September 21, 2015
Lexus should honor the LFA, no one else should have their paws on the project but Lexus. If Lexus did so perfectly well with the first one, they can do it again with the second one, or can they? as said by Jeremy Clarkson. Maybe it's so special they can't make it again. Even if Lexus can, should they? The LFA should be a one hit wonder, that's part of what makes it so special.
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    RDS
  • September 21, 2015
I have a few opinion toward this "LFA successor" , as well as a personal point of view , to reply to the current comments in this post ... I hope I won't offense you guys when I'm voice my opinion (since you know , this opinion can be real personal centered) . Firstly , I see this as serious upmarket hypercar , the kind of hyper hybrid like Porsche 918 Spyder , McLaren P1 , and Ferrari LaFerrari ... this is no ordinary supercar like your Lexus LFA or Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 ; on (rumour) paper , it utilized TMG's 3.7-litre V8 , as well as combined with hybrid system to makes somewhere between 800 to 1000 horsepower , that is nothing but a beast like Porsche 918 ! If Lexus-BMW did it correctly (given not being heavier than 918 , or messed up stuff) , they couldn't made one hell of beast right there ! For some reason , the quote of "The power source for BMW’s supercar will be a bespoke M-developed straight-six twin turbo with plug-in hybrid technology courtesy of Toyota." sounds like the recipe of the Toyota-BMW coupe that had been talked about ever since Toyota-BMW had co-joint venture . @abed-RCF & @Robbie Abruzzese What about putting it this way ... just take it as hypercar , not as LFA successor , but something one up LFA . Lexus didn't have such an epic powerplant before LFA (or IS-F) , but they managed it ... so why not a crazy hypercar ? @Pedro Roldão The V8 doesn't sounds too bad IMO , but if combination with V10 , is also a good idea , love to see the engine come back one more time . @spwolf From what I understand , Porsche made the 918 engine based on a race car engine ... same thing on Porsche's Carrera GT ; I have faith that Lexus-Toyota able to made the TS040 engine being production ready ... but it might need quite a lot of redesigns .
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    GSCT
  • September 22, 2015
Considering that neither BMW or Lexus has anything that is equivalent to Lamborghini/Ferrari/Maclaren, not to mention the Audi R8, this would be a good move to for both companies' line ups.
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    LexusSteve
  • September 22, 2015
I am 99% positive the Toyota/BMW joint project does not extend to the Lexus arm. I recall a Lexus Exec stating that there was no BMW/Lexus collaboration because the two entities are natural competitors, and that the Toyota/BMW project would result in a pair of vehicles that will only be on a shared platform that would produce two totally separate vehicles, one badged a Toyota, and the other badged a BMW. So I am not really sure why the Lexus/BMW collaboration rumors keep surfacing other than shock value and website traffic. =\ Those Aussies, hell, media in general, will say a lot of things to generate website traffic. Lexus & Yamaha, sure. Lexus & BMW? I don't think so. It's beyond absurd and redundant for two innate COMPETITORS to SHARE a halo car.
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    ivanovarinaldy
  • September 22, 2015
deep in my heart, i don't believe this... but i'm going to keep an open mind. I'm curious to see what's going to happen
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    Izzam@RegencyAuto
  • September 23, 2015
The BMW/Toyota partnership rumours are loosing my trust and faith. Yes, I want a new Supra/FT-1. However, the project seems so tight lipped that it maybe doesn't exist. BMW really wants a Tesla Model X competitor. Lexus needs a high luxury crossover. Yes, they both need halo vehicles to compete with R8, GT-R and SLS. But in reality ROI is first priority. Loosing a million dollars for every LFA built If you read the original press release the #1 item is: Fuel cell system The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020. - The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles. The part that everyone jumped on was item #2: Sports vehicle The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other's technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development. 2013 is long gone... sigh! Do we give our hopes up?

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