Lexus Revives Its Halo Car—But This Time Without Gasoline

Lexus is preparing to bring back one of the most revered names in modern supercar history—the LFA—but in a form no one saw coming: fully electric. According to Carscoops, the new LFA will share its core architecture with Toyota’s freshly unveiled GR GT, a front-engine, rear-drive hybrid V8 supercar developed under the Gazoo Racing banner. Instead of a twin-turbocharged hybrid powerplant, Lexus will fit the LFA with a battery-electric drivetrain designed to redefine the sensory experience of an EV sports car.

The GR GT: Toyota’s Combustion Flagship

The GR GT is no ordinary Toyota—it’s not even wearing Toyota badges. Built on a bespoke all-aluminum space-frame with carbon fiber reinforced plastic body panels, it targets a curb weight under 1,750 kg and boasts a 45:55 front-to-rear balance. Under the hood sits a newly developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with dry-sump lubrication, paired to a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transaxle and a single-motor hybrid system.

• Power Output: 650 PS (641 hp) or more
• Torque: 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) or more
• Top Speed Target: 320 km/h (199 mph)
• Brakes: Carbon ceramic discs, front and rear
• Suspension: Double wishbone at all corners

This platform will also underpin a GR GT3 race car, giving Toyota a direct link between road and track engineering.

The LFA Legacy: From V10 Thunder to Electric Silence

The original Lexus LFA, built from 2010 to 2012, was a technological tour de force—a CFRP monocoque chassis, a Yamaha-tuned 4.8-liter V10 spinning to 9,000 rpm, and a production run of just 500 units. It set a benchmark for driver engagement and engineering craftsmanship.

Now, Lexus says the LFA name isn’t tied to internal combustion. The upcoming LFA EV will aim to preserve those core values—light weight, high rigidity, driver connection—while delivering them through an electric powertrain. The challenge? Making an EV that stirs the soul as much as the original’s screaming V10.

The Electric LFA: Shared Bones, Different Heart

While the GR GT uses a rear-drive hybrid V8 layout, the LFA EV will swap in batteries and motors. Lexus has not confirmed output, but industry speculation points to a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, possibly more. The battery will likely alter weight distribution compared to the GR GT’s 45:55 balance, but the low center of gravity could sharpen handling further.

Visually, the LFA concept differs subtly from its GR GT sibling—softer surfacing, a sleeker greenhouse, integrated intakes, and intricate lighting. It’s slightly shorter but marginally wider, with concept-like interior flourishes such as a yoke-style steering control. Expect production models to adopt more practical cabin elements while retaining a driver-focused ethos.

Why This Matters: Toyota’s Split-Path Performance Strategy

By building the LFA EV and GR GT on the same advanced chassis, Toyota is executing a dual-track approach: Gazoo Racing handles the raw, combustion-powered, motorsport-inspired machines; Lexus delivers refined, luxury performance with electric propulsion. The move maximizes R&D efficiency while letting each brand speak to its core audience.

For Lexus, a fully electric LFA signals intent to carry its halo supercar lineage into the EV era—without sacrificing engineering purity. For Toyota, it showcases flexibility: one architecture, two very different performance philosophies.

Launch Timing and Pricing

Both the GR GT and its GT3 race counterpart are set for a 2027 debut. The LFA EV will follow, likely commanding a premium over the GR GT’s expected six-figure starting price. In the U.S., it will be sold through select Lexus dealers, positioning it as an exclusive, high-desire product.

Whether purists embrace an electric LFA remains to be seen. But if Lexus can deliver on Akio Toyoda’s mandate to “completely redefine the sound of an electric sports car,” the EV might just earn a place alongside its legendary predecessor—not as a replacement, but as a bold new chapter.