Lexus LS Facelift To Get 600h V8-Powered Hybrid And Four-Cylinder Turbo?

Unlike its predecessor, the fifth generation Lexus LS cannot be had with a V8 engine, but not all is lost, as the eight-banger is rumored to return for the 2021 or 2022 model year, with the facelifted iteration of the car.

The news comes via Japan’s Mag-X, which in its June issue claims that Toyota’s luxury brand is working on a new hybrid V8 to be added to the lineup. If it’s true, then that means that Lexus might revive the LS 600h moniker that was buried with the fourth generation flagship sedan.

Driven: 2019 Lexus LS 500 Is Proof You Can Have Style And Substance

No other details are known about the powertrain, but the old LS 600h came with a 5.0-liter V8, with electric assistance, boasting 439 horsepower. Even without any updates, that’s already a big improvement compared to the current LS 500 and LS 500h, which boast 416 and 354 horsepower respectively.

Four-cylinder turbo too?

More surprisingly, the Japanese car magazine says that the LS family could be expanded to include a four-pot turbo option that might fill the empty space left by the demise of the GS. It’s impossible to verify this rumor at this point, but even if the flagship sedan will launch with a four-cylinder engine, it’s not certain that it will be available in North America. For what it’s worth, BMW, Mercedes and Audi do offer 4-cylinder versions of their flagship sedans in some markets.

As for the mid-cycle refresh, it looks like the LS will bring a new front bumper that will continue to incorporate the huge spindle grille. The publication shared an image of a prototype that had the front end covered up. The facelifted LS might also welcome an advanced semi-autonomous driving system.