---
title: "Lexus Will Launch a Trio of V8 F Cars This Year Despite Rumored Cancellation: Report"
description: "The Lexus IS, LS and LC are getting the F-car treatment with V8 engines packing as much as 661 horsepower."
date: "2021-02-05"
modified: "2021-02-05"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/39120/lexus-will-launch-a-trio-of-v8-f-cars-this-year-despite-rumored-cancellation-report"
categories:
  - "Lexus News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Lexus"
---

# Lexus Will Launch a Trio of V8 F Cars This Year Despite Rumored Cancellation: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/02/2021-Lexus-LC-004.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Between Lexus's caginess about making new "F" performance models and the [indications that Toyota will phase out its V8s](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33091/toyota-poised-to-kill-its-v-8s-replace-them-with-turbo-v-6s-within-three-years.md>), it's understandable why some lost faith in Lexus and wrote it off as a bland, beige brand. But not all hope need be lost, as fresh rumors out of Japan suggest that Lexus has a trio of new F cars coming in time for the holidays, all of which have V8s under the hood.

This November, Lexus will debut high-performance F-badged versions of Lexus's rear-drive IS and LS sedans, plus an LC F coupe, according to [*Best Car*](<https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://bestcarweb.jp/news/scoop/243049>). Per the report, the IS F (not the IS 500 as trademarks suggested) will arrive first. The new IS F will be powered by the 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated V8 from the similarly sized RC and [LC 500](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/35135/2021-lexus-lc-500-convertible-review-few-cars-turn-heads-quite-like-this.md>) coupes. In the IS F, this V8 will reportedly get its most aggressive tune yet to produce 474 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. The IS F's drive wheels and transmission weren't specified, but the most likely candidates are the LC's 10-speed automatic or RC's eight-speed, though that one is a dated 'box by now.

![message-editor%2F1612561519388-2021-lexus-lc-017.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1612561519388-2021-lexus-lc-017.jpg>)
*2021 Lexus LC 500h, *Lexus**

The flagship F-cars will reportedly follow in the form of the LS F sedan and LC F coupe, in that order. Both will utilize a new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 generating 661 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The LC F will support that extra power with some minor chassis improvements. *Best Car* says we won't have to wait til November to see this engine's debut, as it will reportedly break cover this July in an LS-derived flagship crossover.

Also [rumored to be called the LF or LQ](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33031/lexus-is-building-an-ls-based-flagship-suv-that-could-have-over-600-hp-report.md>), this model has been reported on in increasing detail these last few years. According to *Best Car*, Lexus' new top-of-the-line crossover will cost between $140,000 and $190,000. With Lamborghini Urus-trouncing power under the hood and a lower price point to boot, the L-something could become the most attractive high-rider in Lexus's lineup—maybe even more so than the new, Land Cruiser-based LX SUV that *Best Car* says will drop this July. Then again, with Lexus [now seriously eyeing the off-roader market](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38665/lexus-boss-wants-more-body-on-frame-lexus-suvs-to-get-in-on-that-ford-bronco-hype.md>), that new LX will also be something to look forward to.

![message-editor%2F1612561940856-lexus\_lf1\_limitless\_alt\_05\_5585e263d9b08759a08914f2d7e63b48e967e405.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1612561940856-lexus_lf1_limitless_alt_05_5585e263d9b08759a08914f2d7e63b48e967e405.jpg>)
*2018 Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept, *Lexus**

*\[H/T* [*Car Advice\]*](<https://www.caradvice.com.au/921126/2022-lexus-is-f-ls-f-and-lc-f-due-in-november-2021-with-up-to-493kw-report/>)

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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>)

## More

- [Here’s Lexus Teasing Its New Flagship V8 F Models for 2022](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39272/heres-lexus-teasing-its-new-flagship-v8-f-models-for-2022.md>)
- [Lexus LFA Successor Could Have a Twin-Turbo V8 in 2025, According to Giant Rumor](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/44585/lexus-lfa-successor-could-have-a-twin-turbo-v8-in-2025-according-to-giant-rumor.md>)
- [Lexus Files ‘IS500’ Trademark for Potential V8 Sport Sedan](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34521/lexus-files-is500-trademark-for-potential-v8-sport-sedan.md>)
- [2021 Lexus IS 500 Will Get Lexus’ Last Naturally Aspirated V8: Report](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33539/2021-lexus-is-500-will-get-lexus-last-naturally-aspirated-v8-report.md>)
- [V8-Powered 2022 Lexus IS 500 Sounds Damn Good on the Track](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40916/v8-powered-2022-lexus-is-500-sounds-damn-good-on-the-track.md>)
- [Lexus’ New V8 Halo Car Sounds Incredible Ripping Around Motegi](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-new-v8-halo-car-sounds-incredible-ripping-around-motegi.md>)
- [Lexus Rumored to Be Working on 661-HP Lamborghini Urus Fighter](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25090/lexus-rumored-to-be-developing-661-hp-lamborghini-urus-challenger.md>)
- [2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance: The V8 Is Back, and It’s Got 472 HP](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39334/2022-lexus-is-500-f-sport-performance-the-v8-is-is-back.md>)