Next Lexus IS Might Get Supra’s BMW-Sourced Straight Six

[cawimmer430]

 

Next Lexus IS Might Get Supra's BMW-Sourced Straight Six

If we were to believe the latest rumors, it seems that the next-generation Lexus IS could be powered by the same BMW-developed 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six as the brand new Supra.
Japan's Best Car magazine broke the news, and while it remains to be seen if it's true or not, it wouldn't be all that surprising. After all, both the BMW M340i and BMW Z4 M40i are powered by the same B58 engine as the Supra, but the German models get a healthy 382 hp while the Supra has to make do with 335 hp.

The Supra engine won't be the only powertrain allegedly offered in the next-generation Lexus IS. In fact, the Japanese report claims that buyers will also have the choice of a 2.0-liter turbo, a 2.4-liter turbo, and a 2.5-liter hybrid.

That's not all. The IS F could make a comeback in the model's next generation and make use of the twin-turbo V6 from the LS 500 sedan. In its current form, this twin-turbo V6 delivers 416 hp, the same amount as the old, naturally aspirated V8 IS F. Lexus engineers could almost certainly tweak the LS 500's engine for use in the IS F to give it a little more character and power.

Beyond its engines, the new IS will probably be similar in size to the current car but weigh considerably less, tipping the scales at around 3395 lbs (1539 kg) in base specification. By comparison, the outgoing IS weighs roughly 3737 lbs (1695 kg), making it heavier than its German rivals. Lexus is expected to unveil the next-generation IS in 2021 before it goes on sale for the 2022 model year.


Carscoops has reached out to Lexus to find out more about the next-gen IS, so stay tuned as the story will be updated once we get a response.


Update: In an email to Carscoops, Lexus said that it can't comment on reports about future products.


Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2019/02/next-lexus-might-get-supras-bmw-sourced-straight-six/

[12,000 RPM]

Meh on this. Toyota has a perfectly good brand new V6-TT and V6 hybrid system. B58 isn't a bad engine but it's hardly starved for cars to go into

[shp4man]

I wonder if this is just to save development costs? It seems to me the inline 6 engine design has a fan base.
The Japanese have designed some good ones in the past.

153624

[SJ_GTI]

This makes sense to me if their current V6 production is maxed out and the extra volume from an IS V6 isn't enough to justify investment in new production lines, hence it makes more sense to outsource production of that limited volume.

Otherwise agree with the above, Toyota's V6 seems more than capable of filling this niche.

[CALL_911]

Sounds silly

When I saw this on the homepage, I saw Next Lexus IS.... and immediately thought that would be followed with a FWD announcement. TG

[cawimmer430]

Does Toyota even produce an inline-6 anymore?

I thought enthusiasts prefer an inline-6 to a V6, and maybe that's on Toyota's mind as well, hence their choice for a BMW inline-6. Not many choices when it comes to inline-6s. Who still makes them? BMW and Mercedes come to mind.

[GoCougs]

99.9% of Toyota fanboys would choose a Toyota V6 over a BMW I6 to have in their Toyota/Lexus. But fanboys don't buy new cars, by and large.

Seems like a really bad idea - technical, business, reputation/legacy.

[GoCougs]

This makes sense to me if their current V6 production is maxed out and the extra volume from an IS V6 isn't enough to justify investment in new production lines, hence it makes more sense to outsource production of that limited volume.

Otherwise agree with the above, Toyota's V6 seems more than capable of filling this niche.

Pretty much no automaker is going to retool their new car to accept another automaker's engine because of lack of capacity. Vastly cheaper to just scale engine production.

[12,000 RPM]

Yea, think about all the hurdles of compatibility. Crash regs, electronic integration, fleet emissions....

Maybe the new 3 series' rear end was a foreshadowing:



But Toyota just developed an all new RWD platform and engines. Are they really going to limit them to the low volume LS/LC and rumored flagship crossover? Who's in charge here?

[Galaxy]

Pretty much no automaker is going to retool their new car to accept another automaker's engine because of lack of capacity. Vastly cheaper to just scale engine production.

Unless the next IS is a BMW 3 Series.

[BimmerM3]

Meh, just a random rumor. Let me know when this is from an official source.

[GoCougs]

Unless the next IS is a BMW 3 Series.

Sweet Jesus you just might have a point.

[Xer0]

Unless the next IS is a BMW 3 Series.

Whoa, that would be a hell of a bombshell and would actually make sense after the Supra.

[BimmerM3]

Sweet Jesus you just might have a point.

But then BMW would have to retool the 3er to accept the Toyota engines (assuming that part of the report is also accurate).

[12,000 RPM]

But then BMW would have to retool the 3er to accept the Toyota engines (assuming that part of the report is also accurate).

No

FR-S has a Subaru engine
Supra has a BMW engine

Toyota might just be like  on developing low volume medium margin shit... IS def fits that bill

[Laconian]

Cars are turning into combination Pizza Huts and Taco Bells.

[93JC]

By 2032 all restaurants will be Taco Bells.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFiDoOgRTpk

(They'll be branded Pizza Hut overseas.)

[BimmerM3]

No

FR-S has a Subaru engine
Supra has a BMW engine

Toyota might just be like  on developing low volume medium margin shit... IS def fits that bill

What does the FR-S have anything to do with this?

According to that report, the next IS will have at least one BMW engine and at least one Toyota engine available. If Toyota would have to reengineer the IS to accept a BMW engine, it stands to reason that BMW would have to reengineer the 3er to accept the Toyota engines.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Cars are turning into combination Pizza Huts and Taco Bells.

Taco Bell was the only restaurant to survive the franchise wars. Now all restaurants are Taco Bell.

[MX793]

99.9% of Toyota fanboys would choose a Toyota V6 over a BMW I6 to have in their Toyota/Lexus. But fanboys don't buy new cars, by and large.

Seems like a really bad idea - technical, business, reputation/legacy.

I don't think the IS, other than the original Altezza, has much of a fanboy following.

[r0tor]

The inline 6 is just a better engine design

[12,000 RPM]

The inline 6 is just a better engine design

Yes on paper

In real life a Toyota V6 is a much better ownership proposition than a BMW I6

[r0tor]

There is nothing wrong with the current bmw i6 engines

[12,000 RPM]

There is nothing wrong with the current bmw i6 engines

Never said otherwise, they are BMW's most reliable engines

But would you trust one over a Toyota V6 for the next 5-10 years? There's nothing inherently more reliable about an I6 over a V6... especially a turbo I6 vs an NA V6

[r0tor]

I don't see these engines having an issue and don't see Toyota risking their credibility on a bad engine.

The I6 will sound better, feel better, and have shit tons of power.  If you have access to it, why not use it.

[12,000 RPM]

Because you're Toyota and you already have a brand new V6TT making shitloads of power, for a brand new RWD platform you made.

[r0tor]

and yet I6 > V6 in basically every way

[GoCougs]

V6 is a better motor than the I6, and Toyota has almost always built a better motor (reliability, durability, longevity) than BMW (or any other German automaker for that matter).

The devil is the details. The detriments to the inline engine are in length - crankshaft, camshaft and engine block are longer and have to be relatively heavier as a result. Other non-load bearing elements are heavier too as lost is the economies of geometry in parts such as the intake manifold to oil pan. This all usually results in a bit heavier engine per unit of displacement. Length of course is also an issue with packaging in the car. US and Japanese automakers had to dump the I6 as the transition to FWD hit full swing. The V6 does have more parts - double the camshafts and associated drive gear, balance shafts, etc., but on balance, especially in situ, the V6 is the better engine (and the V8 is the best engine of all).

[12,000 RPM]

and yet I6 > V6 in basically every way

Which is why the Japanese, the best engine designers and builders on Earth, have abandoned it en masse?

And BMW spent much of the last 30 years fucking them up in one way or another?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Never said otherwise, they are BMW's most reliable engines

But would you trust one over a Toyota V6 for the next 5-10 years? There's nothing inherently more reliable about an I6 over a V6... especially a turbo I6 vs an NA V6