The legendary Lexus LFA, known for its acclaimed V10 engine, is preparing its return for 2027, but this time in an all-electric guise. Although the original model faced sales challenges initially, its reputation grew among enthusiasts, solidifying its status as a cult supercar. The new generation, already indicated by the Electrified Sport concepts and a homonymous prototype, will mark a radical transformation, abandoning internal combustion to adopt purely electric propulsion.
To pique the public’s curiosity before launch, a camouflaged prototype was displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. The vehicle appeared alongside other notable models such as the Toyota GR GT and the GR GT3 (track-only version), reinforcing its platform connection. The future electric LFA is expected to share a robust aluminum architecture with these vehicles, unlike the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, integrating its own electric motors and batteries.
Despite the secrecy surrounding its performance specifications, Lexus has already released the dimensions of the electric concept. The new model promises to be considerably larger than its predecessor, measuring 4,690 millimeters long and 2,040 millimeters wide. Its height will be significantly reduced to just 1,195 millimeters. Even with a wheelbase extended to 2,725 millimeters, the interior will remain restricted to two occupants, following the tradition of high-performance supercars.
The styling of the Lexus LFA takes a unique approach. In interviews with Lexus staff during the Goodwood event, concept designer Shogo Kasamatsu explained that the main objective was to “express the message” of the vehicle, and not simply adhere to the brand’s standard design language. This suggests that the car will have a distinctive visual identity, already noticeable in the camouflaged prototype. Kasamatsu also stated that the production version will be “almost” identical to the concept, ensuring fidelity to the original vision.
Lexus recognizes the challenges inherent in marketing the new LFA, especially as the high-income buyer segment shows little inclination towards electric supercars and hypercars. This perception was corroborated years ago by Mate Rimac, CEO of Rimac, who pointed out the preference of the richest for internal combustion engines and a more analogue direction. Yukihiro Yukita, general product manager at LFA, called this low demand the company’s “biggest challenge.” However, the schedule for launch in 2027 remains maintained.
One of Lexus’ main focuses is to replicate the emotional intensity of a combustion engine vehicle. While many high-performance electric vehicles only emulate the sound of traditional cars, the automaker intends to go further, seeking for drivers to feel the essence of an engine. The goal is not just to simulate a V10, but rather to “redesign the sound itself”, indicating that the new LFA will certainly not be a silent car.
It’s not yet clear how this will be achieved, but one possibility is that Lexus will amplify the noises of the electric motors and harmonize them with the unmistakable melody of the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V10, created in conjunction with Yamaha for the original LFA. In any case, the brand assures that it will not restrict itself to a simple artificial imitation to give the electric supercar the feeling of a gasoline-powered one.
Regarding the name, Lexus had already clarified last year that the acronym LFA is not restricted to cars with internal combustion engines. Toyota’s luxury division is comfortable reusing the name for an electric vehicle, which could even be equipped with solid-state batteries. This technology, expected to offer a higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries, could allow the supercar to operate with a more compact battery size.
With this possible innovation in batteries, the electric LFA will likely not be excessively heavy. However, it is unlikely that it will reach the weight of the original model, which was 1,480 kg. The new LFA is expected to weigh considerably more than its combustion predecessor. For context, Toyota has already set a weight target of under 1,750 kg for the GR GT.