Early Details Now Emerging About BMW’s Partnership With Lexus on New Supercar Project!
It’s not every day that competing brands get to pass through the usual barriers of business to join forces on something truly epic. But, thankfully, as the spirit of innovation is still strong enough to unite even the fiercest of adversaries, that’s exactly what Lexus and BMW have been up to recently. Specifically, in response to challenges from competitors like Audi, BMW have been particularly eager to get a next-generation supercar project rolling to help show the company at the top of its game. Looking to Lexus as a reliable partner to make it happen, BMW has made sure to let the world know that something special is in the works, and we’ve got some preview details that are sure to get anyone with a taste for stylish high-performance vehicles —and of course, new Lexus models— excited for the possibilities!
Based on the highly popular and well-received Lexus LFA supercar design that made a series of debuts as part of the extended Lexus LF line, first in 2005, and then again in 2007 and 2008, BMW’s new project with Lexus is looking to enhance the best of what Lexus has to offer with a little bit of unique BMW flair and expertise. The LFA, which was limited to 500 production models and eventually released in 2010 for a short run, has become something a favorable standout with supercar fans since then, with many auto industry players expressing wishes for its return to the Lexus stable in some form. It looks like, with BMW’s help, their wishes will finally be coming true, although maybe not quite in the expected fashion.
Since the release of the original LFA, Lexus has gone on to develop a number of other notable high-performance entries, including the V8 RC-F and the upcoming LF-LC coupe, which is definitely getting its own share of buzz leading up to its official debut in 2016. With an impressive amount of experience proven in the high-performance arena in recent years, a time during which many makers suffered insurmountable setbacks to similar projects, it definitely isn’t much of a mystery as to why BMW has decided to look to Lexus as an accessible and reliable partner.
So far, a number of exciting details have already emerged to help buoy the anticipation. Industry and company insiders have revealed that Toyota is doing a lot of work to develop the right engine for their Lexus model, reporting some definite attention being paid to adapting the company’s impressive 3.7-liter, 520 horsepower Le Mans TS040 engine for the project. As far as BMW goes, their own model is said to be fated for a new M-developed V6 twin turbo, complete with the same leading plug-in hybrid technology that has been driving much of BMW’s recent development efforts. With this project obviously spurring a lot of innovative new work in both camps, you won’t want to miss a chance to get a look at some of the company’s anticipatory concept designs. And remember, we’ll be holding things down right here at Lexus of Highland Park to keep you as up to date as possible on this once-in-a-lifetime project!
