Next-Gen Lexus LS Rumored to Drop V8
Since 1989, Lexus’s flagship LS has been offered with a V8 engine. But if you believe the latest rumor, then prepare for the end of that era.
According to Lexus Enthusiast, the next generation LS will instead be offered with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that makes 415 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. Or you can opt for the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid powering the upcoming LC 500h.
All that as-yet-to-be-confirmed news comes to us via a Lexus Enthusiast forum translation of a story in Japanese magazine, Mag-X. The rumors go on to say that the next-gen LS should debut at January’s Detroit Auto Show; that it should get 25 miles per gallon, or so; and that further down the road, we could see a 4-cylinder turbo option.
Also of note is word that a fuel cell option is going to be available around 2020. We suspected as much, only with initial rumors pointing to 2018 for a hydrogen-powered LS. But then last week we changed our tune a little bit, as Lexus Euro boss Alain Uyttenhoven hinted that an SUV might be more befitting of such cumbersome technology. But perhaps the LS is plenty big after all.
While hydrogen seems to yet again be in the LS’s future, the V8 does not. What do you think, is that a good thing?
