---
title: "Lexus Is Building an LS-Based Flagship SUV that Could Have Over 600 HP: Report"
description: "Craving another high-performance SUV? Don't you worry."
date: "2020-04-15"
modified: "2021-10-26"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/33031/lexus-is-building-an-ls-based-flagship-suv-that-could-have-over-600-hp-report"
categories:
  - "Lexus News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Lexus"
---

# Lexus Is Building an LS-Based Flagship SUV that Could Have Over 600 HP: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/04/Lexus_LF1_IntersectNYC_Dec2018_271842B1343D470E0EB9BD312B6BF340430FF8642.jpg>)
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Lexus has never been a company comfortable being outdone, so now that Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all offer [high-performance crossovers](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32432/2021-mercedes-amg-gls-63-review-achieve-dominion-over-highway-traffic-with-603-hp>) near the top of their respective ranges, Lexus has reportedly decided not to be shown up. Within a couple of years, the Japanese automaker will reportedly answer its German competitors with a crown jewel SUV of its own, said to be called the LQ.

The Lexus LQ is reported by [*Car and Driver*](<https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32109117/2022-lexus-lq-suv/>) to "share key structural elements" with [the company's flagship sedan, the LS](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/21986/2018-lexus-ls-500-f-sport-review-a-big-comfortable-sedan-with-big-uncomfortable-dissonance>), possibly signaling use of the rear-drive TNGA-L platform. Lexus will reportedly power the LQ using engines borrowed directly from the LS, including the standard 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 making 416 horsepower and its optional hybrid powertrain, which joins a 3.5-liter V6 to twin electric motors to produce 354 horsepower.

A high-performance F trim "might" be Lexus's way of serving up a twin-turbo V8 variant boasting over 600 horsepower, says the publication, curiously echoing [rumors of a similar vehicle that circulated in 2018](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25090/lexus-rumored-to-be-developing-661-hp-lamborghini-urus-challenger>). Word then was that Lexus was winding up a 661-horsepower, twin-turbo V8 SUV to sucker punch the 641-horsepower Lamborghini Urus, and salt the open wound by beating Lamborghini on price point. This same rumor supposed that there would be a base model with a familiar-sounding twin-turbo V6, albeit retuned to make 424 horsepower, with hybrid augmentation on the table.

Admittedly, these rumors don't fully corroborate each other's details. The 2018 story suggested the LQ F could top out at $150,000, whereas *Car and Driver* says the LQ won't stray far past the six-figure threshold. Its reveal was allegedly scheduled for 2020, though with coronavirus [bringing car retail networks to their knees](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32971/pandemic-may-force-car-dealers-into-the-21st-century>), Lexus could feasibly postpone the model's debut to launch it in more favorable economic conditions. If (or when) the LQ does hit showrooms, sale in the United States is likely; Lexus's parent company Toyota holds trademarks on the "LQ" nameplate in four countries, including Canada, China, France, and the States.

When contacted, Lexus declined to comment on the matter.

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## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)