The new Lexus LFA is still expected to arrive as a modern halo car, but its powertrain may be changing. A report from Japan claims the next LFA could use a plug-in hybrid setup instead of becoming a fully electric supercar, although the information remains unconfirmed.
Lexus LFA Powertrain Plans Remain Unclear
The new LFA has already been presented in concept form, showcasing the visual drama expected from a modern halo car. One of its most polarizing details was its announcement as a fully electric supercar.
Now, Japanese publication Best Car reportedly says Lexus could instead pursue a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the next LFA.
There is an important caveat, however. Best Car has a reputation for combining dealer-level information with predictions and unsubstantiated speculation, so the report should be treated cautiously.
Could the LFA Become a Plug-In Hybrid?
The reported prediction remains unclear. In a recent YouTube video about the report, Best Car reportedly identified a plug-in hybrid configuration as the likely direction while also acknowledging that the LFA has been tested in battery-electric form.
That leaves several possibilities for the new LFA. Lexus could be reconsidering its EV strategy, or the production car’s final powertrain could still be undecided because it is not yet close to production.
Solid-state batteries are another possibility that could eventually make the all-electric concept work. For now, the LFA’s powertrain plans remain unsettled.
Why the Original LFA Sets a High Bar
A plug-in hybrid supercar would not necessarily mean a loss of performance. Lamborghini has already demonstrated with the Temerario that a hybrid can deliver serious performance, including quicker acceleration than the Revuelto flagship, while retaining an engine behind the seats.
For LFA fans, however, the question is whether a plug-in hybrid is what they want from the successor.
The original LFA remains a difficult car to follow. Its Yamaha-tuned V10 was central to its character, while its lightweight carbon-fiber body and high-revving personality helped distinguish it from other supercars.
A heavier and more complex plug-in hybrid LFA could therefore be less appealing to purists. Additional batteries and technology could move the car further from the qualities that made the original LFA distinctive, even if they deliver more power and quicker acceleration.
New LFA Prototype Has Already Appeared
The new LFA is more than a concept, with a camouflaged prototype already appearing at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its shape also closely resembles the concept that has been shown.
For now, the plug-in hybrid report remains firmly in rumor territory. The final direction for the new LFA has yet to be established.
