Lexus may be about to enter its sports car era. In addition to a rumored successor, the Japanese luxury marque may also be developing a 600-hp version of the decade-old coupé, . 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 ( ).
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 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. Regardle.
