Two Aspects I Adore in the Lexus LFR, Yet One Problem Gives Me Pause
In the world of automobiles, the unveiling of a new sports car is always an exciting event. Last week, Lexus debuted the much-anticipated Lexus Sport Concept at the 2025 Quail event. The modern, low-profile, two-door coupe design is a clear indication of a next-generation sports car with futuristic and emotional styling cues.
However, there is currently no publicly available evidence that the upcoming Lexus/Toyota sports car shares design similarities with the Mazda FD RX-7 due to a Toyota-Mazda partnership or shared hardware. The Lexus Sport Concept, with its checkmark headlights and wide stance, appears to be a testament to Lexus’s own design evolution, likely incorporating electrified powertrains and modern Lexus styling elements.
Toyota and Mazda have been collaborating on several projects in various segments, but the Lexus Sport Concept seems to be focusing on its unique identity. The concept is thought to be a successor or evolution from Lexus’s Electrified Sport Concept introduced in 2021, aiming for electric performance rather than sharing proven rotary or similar hardware linked to Mazda’s FD RX-7.
Meanwhile, Mazda is reported to be working on its own flagship rotary sports car, which will share hardware with Toyota and Lexus. The production variant of the Toyota model may use a de-tuned version or a different engine configuration compared to the Lexus LFR.
The production variant of the Lexus/Toyota flagship sports car is expected to arrive by 2027. The Lexus vehicle will feature a twin-turbo V-8 engine, a first for Toyota and Lexus as far as production cars go. The new engine is said to produce over 800 horsepower, but the company is struggling to meet emissions regulations, which may lead to a reduction in output.
The Lexus LFR GT3 race car and Toyota GT's production model were previewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The design of these models has design cues reminiscent of the 1990s Mazda FD RX-7, but it is unclear if this is a direct result of partnership or shared components.
Dimitar Angelov, an expert in a wide variety of vehicles, with a particular interest in Japanese brands and performance cars, can be followed on various social media platforms, including X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
In the realm of the Toyota brand, the next-generation Toyota GR Supra is reported to use a new 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with hybrid assist. The Toyota version may be a homologation for the Lexus LF-R, although this is not yet confirmed.
The 2026 Lexus ES will no longer have the option of a V-6. The Japanese model (Toyota GT's production model) seems to be going for a more streamlined design compared to the Lexus LF-A.
The price difference between the Lexus and Toyota versions is yet to be justified. Given they may share the same engine, it remains to be seen how Lexus will price its flagship sports car competitively. The Lexus LFR GT3 race car is expected to start at $550,000, making it the most expensive Lexus ever made.
The discontinuation of the 5.0-liter 2UR V-8 engine by Toyota is a significant change in the automotive industry. The future of performance cars with Toyota and Lexus badges is undoubtedly exciting, as we await the arrival of these new models.
- The Lexus Sport Concept's design seems to be a testament to Lexus’s own design evolution, focusing on electric performance rather than sharing proven hardware with other brands in the transportation industry, such as Mazda.
- In contrast, Mazda is reported to be working on its own flagship rotary sports car, which will likely share hardware with Toyota and Lexus, therefore incorporating elements from both the finance and automotive sectors.
- The production variant of the Lexus/Toyota flagship sports car, expected to arrive by 2027, will feature a twin-turbo V-8 engine, a first for Toyota and Lexus in production cars, impacting the lifestyle of car enthusiasts and potentially redefining the standard in the automotive industry.
