RUMOURS IN THE in the Japanese press this week suggested that Lexus is preparing a hard-core GS F model to sit alongside its M3-fighting IS F, powered by a version of the LFA’s 4.8 litre V10 engine.
Lexus’ European press office has thrown water on the rumours, however. In a short message issued on the company’s Twitter feed, Lexus said that the “LFA V10 is bespoke to LFA,” indicating that the 412kW bent-ten won’t be used by any vehicle other than the marque’s performance flagship.
Interestingly, Lexus declined to comment on the existence of a GS F project in its brief message. Is the company working on a hi-po luxury sedan to rival the likes of BMW’s M5 and Benz’s E63 AMG? We don’t know, but what is certain is that if a GS F is indeed in the works, it won’t be receiving a heart transplant from its supercar sibling.
The current M5 uses a naturally-aspirated V10 of similar capacity to the LFA’s motor, but the company is reportedly moving to a twin-turbocharged V8 for the next generation model.
Mercedes-Benz is also considering a similar tactic for its AMG models, meaning Lexus may soon be returning to forced induction for its future performance vehicles.
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