Lexus may be about to enter its sports car era.
In addition to a rumored LFA successor, the Japanese luxury marque may also be developing a 600-hp version of the decade-old RC coupé, according to Road & Track. And, if for some reason that’s not exciting enough for you, the car will come with a manual transmission.
Toyota, Lexus’s parent company, remains as committed to the internal combustion engine as any major automaker. The company plans to release a new lineup of combustion mills—including a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter, turbocharged 1.5-liter, and turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplants—developed in conjunction with Subaru and Mazda later this decade.
Earlier this year, Toyota held a press event in Japan to show off what the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine could do. Three prototypes were featured during the exhibition, a Toyota Hilux truck, a Lexus IS sedan, and an RC. The last of the trio had a 600 hp rating, according to a journalist from the Japanese publication Best Car (via Lexus Enthusiast). That’s significantly more oomph than the 311 hp produced by the current most powerful RC, the 350 F Sport. The prototype, which the journalist wasn’t able to drive, also came equipped with a six-speed manual.
The vehicle is reportedly being developed for motorsports, but Road & Track notes that since it’s rare to find a race car with a stick shift these days that could just be a cover story. The RC is also 10 years old at this point, so the powertrain and transmission could be destined for another vehicle completely. Regardless, a 600-hp sports car with a manual transmission is something that enthusiasts are bound to be excited about.
Lexus did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Robb Report.
Whatever the 600-hp RC’s fate may be, it’s not the only high-performance Lexus that could be headed for production. This summer, reports started circulating that Lexus could launch a new supercar during the second half of the decade. It is said to be based on Toyota’s GR GT3 concept from 2002 and would compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. FIA homologation rules require that all GT3 racers must also have a corresponding street-legal version, which means the roadgoing equivalent will likely go on sale sometime before then. The car, which has been referred to as the LFA’s spiritual successor, could feature a hybrid-assisted V-8 that makes more than 600 horses.
