Autoblog has gotten into the rumor game with talk that the next-generation Lexus IS F will use a twin-turbo V6:
BMW has confirmed that the next-generation M3 will drop its V8 in favor of a turbocharged inline-six, and it is just a matter of time before the C63 drops its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 for the automaker’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter.
We recently asked Lexus about rumors that the next-generation IS F will follow the same path. While nobody would confirm that the range-topping successor would have a smaller turbocharged engine, the executives admitted with a sly smile that such an approach does have its advantages. They didn’t need to say more.
As Lexus doesn’t have an obvious turbocharged solution in its current lineup, what do you think will end up under the hood in 2014? And, now that Toyota and BMW have inked a new collaboration, what about the possibility of Lexus borrowing a BMW-sourced engine for its next-gen IS F?
It’s a difficult call — the massive 5.0L 2UR-GSE V8 engine defined the personality of the current IS F, and switching to turbocharged V6 would change that character considerably.
Not only that — it feels like Lexus has only scratched the surface of the 2UR-GSE engine, and that there’s still plenty of untapped potential. Besides, reducing displacement is one thing, but going from a V8 to a V6 is something else entirely.
Still, no arguing that Lexus needs to introduce some type of forced induction system. There was a solid rumor last year that the GS F SPORT might debut with an available supercharger — while this ended up being incorrect, it does suggest that Lexus is devoting engineering resources to the technology.
(As for Lexus using a BMW-sourced engine in the next IS F? A totally ridiculous concept — neither Lexus or BMW would benefit from sharing engines in such brand-important cars.)
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