Amit Saraswat 
This surprising move from Lexus marks the sad and untimely demise of the sonorous 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8. The engine powered both the RC-F and LC500 coupe models that have gone off the portfolio in the UK. While both models were nearing the end of their lifecycle, especially the RC-F, Lexus cited legislation and homologation issues for the withdrawal.
Both the RC-F and LC have been slow-selling models in the UK with yearly sales falling in double digits in the last couple of years. Both models came with a 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 petrol engine while the LC also offered a 3.5L V6 self-charging hybrid powertrain.
The soon-to-be-implemented cybersecurity law could very well be the reason behind Lexus’ move to withdraw its performance models. In a similar case, Porsche also pulled the plug on the 718 line, which includes the Cayman and Boxter, citing the new cybersecurity law. An official Porsche spokesperson shared that the 718 platform was not developed in line with the new law, since the guidelines were not revealed. As a standard practice, the vehicle platform is designed complying to the cybersecurity protocols from the start, which includes multiple control units and modules.
Since the Lexus RC-F and LC models have been discontinued, the Japanese luxury carmaker only offers a range of hybrid-electric and all-electric models. Its hybrid-electric range consists of models from the small LBX to the LM sedan while the all-electric models include the RZ and UX300e. Moving forward, Lexus also plans to expand its EV portfolio with a range of all-electric models.
