Toyota GR 86-based Lexus hybrid sports car rumoured – report

There may be a luxury version of the Toyota GR 86 being developed, if rumours out of Japan are anything to go by.

According to website Spyder7, Lexus is developing a new model based on the two-door Toyota GR 86 sports car, and powered by a hybrid petrol-electric powertrain.

An unverified spy photo from early 2021 was shared on social media which showed what appeared to be a Toyota GR 86 (prior to its unveiling), with camouflage suggesting the vehicle may have been wearing a trademark Lexus grille. It's unknown whether this was a Lexus prototype, an unfortunate camouflage job, or merely an image modified in Photoshop to fuel the rumours (click through the image gallery to see the spy photo).

These computer-generated renderings by artist Elio Anzora provide a glimpse at what an 86-based Lexus could look like, if the model does become a reality.

Lexus currently offers two coupes in its line up: the RC – which is a competitor to the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 – and the flagship LC model, considered an alternative to the BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz SL.

This leaves some room for an entry-level sports car in the brand's line-up – and there's precedent, with Lexus using the Toyota C-HR to underpin its entry-level hybrid SUV, the UX250h. Naming conventions suggest if the company did offer an 86-based coupe, it could be called the Lexus UC.

The GR 86 will be powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine offering 173kW and 250Nm, with Lexus potentially adding electric assistance to boost performance, and aid fuel consumption and emissions.

However, a leaked Lexus product plan in March 2020 made no mention of a new entry-level sports car in the company's future, which means the rumours may either be unfounded, or it will be a few at least two years before we see such a vehicle arriving into dealerships.

Let us know what you think about an entry-level Lexus sports coupe in the comments section below.