The latest chapter in Subaru and Toyota’s obstinate refusal to turbocharge the BRZ/GR 86 is a rumor that’s been circulating online for a few weeks suggesting that Lexus will make a fancier, higher-power version of the car with a hybrid powertrain, instead of a turbo. The rumor seems to have picked up steam when Twitter user Marin_Kawasaki shared a triplet of photos showing what they described as Subaru BRZ with a Lexus-style spindle grille camouflage on May 29, 2021. Whether these images are showing just that, some trick camouflage or if there’s a spindle grille indeed placed on the snout, is anyone’s guess.
As Jalopnik points out, there is a well-known tuner (AIMGAIN) that sells a Lexus grille as a kit for GT 86s, so the pictures aren’t quite irrefutable proof. Fast forward to this week and Japanese outlet Spyder7 is now reporting it “obtained rumors that [Toyota] was planning a Lexus version of the 86.” The site said that the powertrain will be made up of a 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor attached to make it a plug-in hybrid.
Certainly, Subaru has said that its entire lineup will be electrified by the mid-2030s, which would suggest that hybrid boxer engines are on their way and the brands are working together on electrification. Just how much space there will be for a battery pack in the compact sports car is a good question, but batteries are becoming more compact and Toyota is pretty good at hybrid drivetrains.
A sports coupe to sit under the LC 500h in the Lexus lineup would certainly be a welcome addition, as far as we’re concerned. And with a hybrid powertrain, some fancier tech, and a few considerations to class up the cabin would make this a tempting offer. Spyder7 suggests that the vehicle will be called the UC for “Urban Coupe,” which would make this a good enthusiast-focused counterpoint to the UX.
For now, it’s all pure speculation, so sit tight until someone gives us a definite answer.
