Lexus is testing a 600 horsepower, 6-Speed Manual RC prototype


New details that could shape future high performance Lexus vehicles continue to emerge from a recent press announcement outlining an all-new family of turbocharged engines. If you missed the announcement, new 1.5L N/A, 1.5L turbo, and 2.0L turbo four cylinder engines with higher output and greater efficiency are planned to arrive over the next few years.

The new 2.0T engine was developed with performance applications in mind and now we know more about two prototype vehicles Lexus is testing with this engine: a 600 horsepower RC prototype with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 400 horsepower IS with a quick shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.


400 Horsepower Lexus IS Prototype

The Toyota Times released video footage of the event including a test drive in what appears to be a heavily modified third generation Lexus IS fitted with the 400 horsepower tune of the 2.0T engine. While the car is blurred in the beginning of the video, the sound of the new 2.0T can be heard and views from inside the car clearly show it is a 2021+ Lexus IS (21:20 for the IS prototype):

The clip shows track driving and acceleration runs in the prototype IS which don’t reveal much other than the sound of the engine and exhaust, as well as seemingly quick paddle shifts from the 8AT… which remind us more than a little of the 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission in the GR Corolla and GR Yaris. If a modified version of that gearbox comes to Lexus performance vehicles, it would only be a good thing.

Here is a translated quote from Karuma News who attended the press event and participated in the ride along:

This time, before this technical briefing, we tested the Toyota “Hilux (6-speed MT)” and Lexus “IS (Paddle Shift)” equipped with a 2-liter turbo.

The Hilux engine is 300 horsepower (red zone: 6200 rpm), and the IS is different from 400 horsepower (red zone: 7100 rpm).

Both of them had a light acceleration feeling of zero start, and there was almost no turbo lag, and it was simply “fun to ride”.

In addition, Toyota’s engineer said about this 2-liter turbo, “Toyota has a globally popular engine called the “2JZ engine”. I would like to aim for an engine that surpasses that,” he said, and he also looked forward to future evolution.

Hilux is a car that is active as a worker and a foot for the common people in emerging countries, and IS is a sports sedan, but the fact that it can cover both areas with the same engine may be said to be a “dream engine”.

The 2JZ inline six might be Toyota’s most iconic engine of all time, so hearing that engineers are aiming to surpass even their own 2JZ with this new 2.0T performance engine is a tall order indeed.


600 Horsepower Lexus RC Prototype

Another Japanese media outlet who participated in the event, Best Car, also had a ride along in the IS prototype and shared this quote revealing the existence of a 600 horsepower Lexus RC prototype:

[After driving the IS prototype] “I would buy this,” I said to the technician, and while I was talking to him, I saw a Lexus RC in the garage, which he said had a 600 horsepower rating. I wasn’t able to test drive it, but it was worth noting that it was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. It was said to be for motorsports, but it speaks to the potential of this engine, and it’s sure to make the tuning industry excited.”

A 600 horsepower Lexus coupe would certainly be exciting for enthusiasts, and such a vehicle with a 6-speed manual would only sweeten the deal. It seems this prototype exists for motorsports testing, but does make us excited about what could be in store for future Lexus F performance vehicles.

It is important to mention that both of these prototypes are development vehicles and they may or may not have direct links to future production models. Using current bodies and platforms to test new powertrains is commonplace in the automotive industry, and since both the IS and RC are at the end of their model cycles, it’s prudent to expect that any future versions with these engines would be all-new generations if they come to exist at all.

As new details are released on these engines and future models, Lexus Enthusiast will keep you updated.

FeaturesFutureJapanLexus IS: Third GenerationLexus RC

maiaramdan

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wow 😲 😳

So far amazing news
Hope they will make a 2JZ i6, 3.0l at the top end so they won't put a lot of pressure on the i4, 2.0l
 
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ssun30

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Can we assume that 1.5/1.5T is for fwd applications and 2.0T for rwd?
Given how compact these engines are, they will definitely fit both transverse and longitudinal applications.

The 2.0T replaces the T24 which is also used in several TNGA-K products. The 1.5T might be used in the upcoming FJ Cruiser too.
 
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Makes me wonder if the A100 might be a 4cyl?
I hope not, but this actually makes sense. My gut is telling me this is the turbo-hybrid A100 GR Supra that was talked about by A70TTR. The power levels were around what he was suspecting the A100 would have as well.

If the A100 is the MR2 thing then yeah probably. Otherwise I don't think we will have an FR A100.
No. It's happening.
 

Flagship1

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With toyota's messaging system, everything they say should always be taken with a grain of salt imo. Are they stress testing this motor's limits with the 600hp number or is this the actual production target?

2JZ is legendary, and right now we know the benchmark is the B58 in the inline 6 space.
4 pots would be GR motors, so hoping that team had direct input on this new series of engines.
 
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With toyota's messaging system, everything they say should always be taken with a grain of salt imo. Are they stress testing this motor's limits with the 600hp number or is this the actual production target?
Given insider information, it was nearly 600 horsepower, so somewhere in the 500 mark.
2JZ is legendary, and right now we know the benchmark is the B58 in the inline 6 space.
4 pots would be GR motors, so hoping that team had direct input on this new series of engines.
Yeah nothing would get me excited like a six-cylinder.
 

mediumhot

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So, is Supra made by Toyota happening then or what?

All joking aside hopefully this sees the light of the day. Not gonna steal the thunder here and name other JDM that made 400hp out of 2.0T mated to both manual and dual clutch transmissions ten years ago. Better late than never.
 
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So, is Supra made by Toyota happening then or what?
Yes.
All joking aside hopefully this sees the light of the day. Not gonna steal the thunder here and name other JDM that made 400hp out of 2.0T mated to both manual and dual clutch transmissions ten years ago. Better late than never.
I assume you mean Mitsubishi, but they never made a 400 hp model though.
 

Gor134

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I don't see a 4-cylinder Supra happening unless it's the mid-engine model. They made a whole big deal about partnering with BMW because it HAD TO have an i6, and for them to go back on that naw I don't think so.
 

Flagship1

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a couple things:
-toyota is electrifying every platform refresh and will get rid of Ice only platforms.
-That hypercar project that now has become a supercar and some sportscars is following this mantra out the gate. Pairing a small 4 pot with a battery and motor are naturally happening. The whole inline 6 was for today. 6 cylinder engines will become the new v8, powertrain only fit for the higher end of the offerings on vehicles.
 
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I don't see a 4-cylinder Supra happening unless it's the mid-engine model. They made a whole big deal about partnering with BMW because it HAD TO have an i6, and for them to go back on that naw I don't think so.
Well, despite how successful and well-loved the A90 was by many, there were a handful of people who were still hung up on that detail. It's pretty annoying.
 

mediumhot

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Yes.

I assume you mean Mitsubishi, but they never made a 400 hp model though.

After poorly tuned ride of 360hp version they redeemed themselves with pretty much rally car like 400hp superb version (like current Yaris GR of today) and then 440hp version was a farewell (which was actually a test bed for SST OEM modifications). For very complicated reasons this car never saw the light of the day in Japan so they shoved the cars to UK and UK ralliart branch tweaked the engine and ECU. Technically Evo VIII FQ400 was the first 405 two cylinder back in 2005 but that car was more of a pet project of someone in Mitsu Ralliart than actual factory supported car, it sold in single digit numbers. Evo X with FQ badging on the other hand was completely supported by Mitsubishi Japan. Both Evo X FQ400 and FQ440 ended up selling right around 80 pieces which is spectacular if you ask me.