{"id":579093,"date":"2026-08-01T16:35:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T16:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/579093\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T16:35:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T16:35:13","slug":"the-reason-for-picking-a-v8-was-to-hear-it-rev-to-the-moon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/579093\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Reason For Picking A V8 Was To Hear It Rev To The Moon’"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s hard to imagine Lexus without a V8. Since the marque’s very earliest beginnings in 1990, it has offered eight-cylinder power, giving its groundbreaking LS 400 flagship all the smooth thrust the engine layout implies. But next month, the stylish LC 500 coupe<\/a> and its convertible sibling will exit production<\/a>, taking with them not only their exotic design, but also the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that has become Lexus’ last.<\/p>\n

Although we understand the brand’s motivations \u2013 downsizing, hybridization, and all-electric powertrains are its future<\/a> \u2013 I can’t help but feel very sad at the V8’s death. My first experience behind the wheel of a Lexus was in the previous-generation 200-series LX 570, with other sojourns in the LS 430, IS 500 F Sport Performance<\/a>, and the aforementioned LC. In each case, the V8 engine was a core component of the experience, each engine providing differing measures of lustful sound, easygoing torque, and impressive flexibility. It’s sad that future generations will be deprived of that joy.<\/p>\n

Making V8-Powered History<\/p>\n

\"1990
\n A first generation Lexus LS 400 front 3\/4 angle while driving on the roadLexus<\/p>\n

When Toyota first embarked on its ambitious Lexus project, it probably wasn’t too worried about nailing the fundamentals of vehicle construction. After all, even the brand’s humblest cars boasted build quality that rivaled BMW and Mercedes-Benz. What would prove to be more challenging for the reliability-focused Toyota would be nailing that must-have X factor found in the best luxury cars, and part of that formula includes an exclusive powertrain.<\/p>\n

That’s where Lexus’ first-generation engine, known internally as the UZ, came in. Designed for and launched in the 1990 LS 400<\/a> \u2013 as well as its home-market Toyota Celsior equivalent \u2013 the all-aluminum 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 had 32 valves, two camshafts per cylinder bank, and a slightly oversquare design that made for smooth high-rpm running. In an era when the Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL struggled to make 240 horsepower out of 5.6 liters, the 260-hp Lexus 4.0-liter V8 was a very impressive achievement \u2014 made even smoother and more efficient with the addition of variable valve timing for the 290-hp 1998 LS 400.<\/p>\n

The mill also showed up in the impossibly gorgeous SC 400 coupe<\/a>, as well as the midsize GS sport sedan, and it was almost universally beloved. One contemporary review described the noise it made at full throttle as “ripping silk,” and the 1UZ cemented itself in history as an incredibly reliable and satisfying luxury V8 engine.<\/p>\n

A 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE engine joined the fray in the 1998 LX 470 luxury SUV<\/a>, where its longer stroke meant more torque down low for off-road adventures. But otherwise, the quad-cam V8 was just as smooth as the one in its sedan sibling, later spreading to the first-generation GX 470. An upsized 4.3-liter 3UZ-FE V8 debuted in the 2001 Lexus LS 430, as well as the GS 430 midsize sedan and SC 430 hardtop convertible<\/a>. The plaudits continued to roll in, even if the cars adopted a less appealing, somewhat blobby appearance in the mid-2000s.<\/p>\n

Evolving For A Modern Era Of Performance<\/p>\n

\"2007
\n 2007 Lexus LS460 exteriorLexus<\/p>\n

Although the UZ engine continued to serve in the likes of the SC 430 until the 2010 model year, Lexus knew it was time to adapt. The next-generation Lexus LS 460 debuted with the newly designed 1UR-FE engine, a 4.6-liter unit that carried on with an aluminum block and cylinder head and four valves per cylinder, with their timing actuated by a new electric motor for precise optimization in a variety of driving situations.<\/p>\n

Also new was the D-4S fuel system, which alternated between port and direct injection, reducing emissions while improving power output significantly. The 1UR made 385 hp and 369 lb-ft, which are respective improvements of 25 and 9 over the contemporary BMW 750i’s 4.8-liter V8<\/a>. As with its 3UZ predecessor, the 1UR found a home in the smaller Lexus GS, then in the GX (though without the dual injection system).<\/p>\n

\"2016
\n 2016 Lexus LX 570 front 3\/4 viewLexus<\/p>\n

Then, in 2007, Toyota introduced two new UR variants: the 5.0-liter 2UR-E and the 5.7-liter 3UR-FE. The latter was a torquey engine intended for use in the Lexus LX 570 (as well as the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser), and it’s widely regarded as the most reliable engine<\/a> of all time. Much more interesting to enthusiasts, however, was the 5.0-liter V8<\/a> that found its first home between the widened fenders of the 2008 IS F.<\/p>\n

Introduced as a rival to the BMW M3<\/a>, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi RS 4, the IS F made a husky 416 hp and 371 lb-ft, all routed to the rear wheels via the first eight-speed automatic gearbox on the market. A 6,800-rpm rev limit and peaky power curve meant its driver needed to wring it out a bit for maximum speed, with the payoff being one of the most exciting and scintillating exhaust notes ever to come out of Japan. The 5.0-liter 2UR also made its way into a hybridized flagship Lexus LS 600h L<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The engine has had a commendably long service life of nearly 20 years. After the IS F, it showed up with a higher 7,300-rpm rev limit and increased compression under the bulging hoods of the RC F and GS F, making 467 hp and 389 lb-ft. The UR then attained its final form in the 2017 Lexus LC, whose extraterrestrial beauty queen looks hid a 471-hp, 398-lb-ft screamer. Admittedly, the 2UR appealed even more to the outer ear than the inner ear \u2013 performance was good, but downsized and turbocharged rivals were even faster. The reason for picking a Lexus V8 was to hear it rev to the moon \u2014 something it did far better than any other flagship GT coupe.<\/p>\n

Bidding Farewell To A True Character<\/p>\n

The Lexus LS abandoned its V8 engine for the 2018 model year, opting instead to go for twin-turbocharged V6 or hybrid power. The Lexus LX was next, going with the same boosted six-cylinder when it was redesigned for 2022. Then, when the GX 460 became the GX 550 in 2024, the V8 almost completely disappeared from Lexus’ lineup, living on only in the LC coupe and the aggressive IS 500 F Sport Performance, a not-quite-M3-rival four-door sedan sold from 2022 to 2025.<\/p>\n

\"2023
\n 2023 Lexus LC Coupe side angle in green while parkedLexus<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the 2026 Lexus LC’s time is up. Once the flagship luxury coupe leaves production next month, the automaker will no longer offer a V8 to the public. That will be a genuine loss, for one because the LC is arguably the best-looking production car<\/a> of the 21st century, but also because the 2UR V8 is one of the most characterful engines in production today.<\/p>\n

\"2023-2025
\n 2023-2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance 5.0L 2UR-GSE V8 EngineIan Wright\/CarBuzz\/Valnet<\/p>\n

Yes, turbocharging and downsizing mean better torque, flatter powerbands, and improved efficiency \u2014 the 523-horsepower BMW M850i<\/a> is substantially faster and somehow more efficient than the LC 500 \u2014 but there’s absolutely nothing like winding the quick-revving Lexus 5.0-liter V8 to redline, changing gear, and then doing it all over again. You’ll forgive a multitude of sins for a car that looks that good and sings that well.<\/p>\n

I understand why Lexus is getting rid of the 5.0-liter V8. But that won’t stop me from wistfully dreaming about its hair-raising exhaust note and bolt-action downshifts. And no matter what, I’ll always give an appreciative glance to any LS 400 or LS 430<\/a> that passes me by. And I’ll keep my eye on the local used car lot for a posh, torquey LX 570 to become my new winter beater \u2013 if only to hear the exhaust pulses beating against the snow at redline when spinning around an empty parking lot. Ripping silk never sounded so good, and we’ll all miss it when it’s gone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n \"Lexus-logo\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Base Trim Engine<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t5L V-8 ICE<\/p>\n

Base Trim Transmission<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t10-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Base Trim Drivetrain<\/p>\n

\t\t\tRear-Wheel Drive<\/p>\n

Base Trim Horsepower<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t471 HP @7100 RPM<\/p>\n

Base Trim Torque<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t398 lb.-ft. @ 4800 RPM<\/p>\n

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city\/highway\/combined)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t15\/25\/18 MPG<\/p>\n

Base Trim Battery Type<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLead acid battery<\/p>\n

Infotainment & Features<\/p>\n

8 \/10<\/p>\n

Sources: Lexus, Car and Driver<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It’s hard to imagine Lexus without a V8. Since the marque’s very earliest beginnings in 1990, it has…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":579094,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":["post-579093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=579093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/579094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=579093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=579093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=579093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}