2022 Lexus IS F Might Ditch The Naturally Aspirated V8 For A Twin-Turbo V6

Despite the best efforts of Lexus, the IS F failed to establish itself as a serious alternative to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63.

However, the luxury manufacturer hasn’t given up all hope of shaking up the sports sedan market and is reportedly planning to build a new ‘F’ performance variant of the next-generation IS.

Reports from Japanese publications Spyder 7 and Response assert that the next-generation IS will be based on the modular TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform and be slightly larger than the outgoing model.

A selection of different powertrains will allegedly be available with the all-new IS, including a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 318 hp as well as a tamer 2.5-liter four-cylinder with hybrid assistance and a combined 183 hp.

As for the range-topping IS F variant, it may ditch the Japanese car manufacturer’s naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in favor of a 3.5-liter V6 with twin turbochargers and an output of around 420 hp. Such a figure would put the vehicle at roughly the same level as the current M3, but it would still be down on power compared to rivals like the C63 AMG and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Also, instead of a dual-clutch transmission, it will feature a 10-speed automatic.

If these reports prove accurate, the new IS will premiere in the second half of 2020 and hit the market as a 2021 model, while the new IS F will land roughly 12 months later.