LS Super Lexus LS: TMG Edition

[Soup]

 

[Levi68]

TMG Lexus LS 650 Prototype Set For 2012 Essen Motor Show

For the past several years the TMG skunk works based in Cologne, Germany has been working on a number of secret projects for Toyota, including much of the automaker’s recent racing efforts, electric car development and groundwork for the launch of a potential TMG performance brand.

One of these projects was a feasibility study for a high-performance Lexus LS, which included the building of a prototype and testing at the Nürburgring circuit, which lies less than an hour’s drive from TMG’s headquarters.

We can confirm that development work on the TMG LS prototype is almost complete and a reveal is scheduled for the 2012 Essen Motor Show at the end of this month. Pictured above is a scale model of the new prototype, which was used for wind tunnel testing.

The prototype is officially labeled the TMG Lexus LS 650, and it hints at the type of performance upgrades we can expect from a TMG-enhanced Lexus. The scale model reveals an aggressive body kit with flared wheel arches, chunky side sills and a tall rear wing.

Speaking with Motor Authority, TMG spokesman Alastair Moffitt revealed that the Lexus LS 650 prototype is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 (most likely the unit from the IS F) that’s rated at more than 600 horsepower. He also said the prototype has a targeted top speed of 200 mph and that initial test results from Nürburgring look promising.

Sadly, the TMG Lexus LS 650 prototype is just a study for now, though production could happen if demand is sufficient. TMG will be presenting the prototype in Essen to showcase the company’s talents, though we’re sure it will also be gauging potential customer interest.

TMG certainly know how to build performance machines. The company was responsible for Toyota’s Formula One efforts and more recently it was called on to develop Toyota’s race-winning TS030 Hybrid Le Mans prototype.

Motor Authority

 

[Merc1]

Lexus should just build this, it would give the current LS a nice 2-3 years until a truly new one arrives. A 600hp LS, bring it!

M

 

[Carmaker1]

 

[Merc1]

Looks like what a copy of an would-be Black Series AMG S-Class would look like as far as the detailing.

Toyota/Lexus has got to work on this some more, looks really child-like.

M

 

[Cashmere]

650HP in a Lexus sedan - never thought that would ever happen.

Reminds me of the time when Lexus went crazy and released the (limited) vertex edition of the GS300 with a twin turbo V6.

 

[330CIZHP]

650HP in a Lexus sedan - never thought that would ever happen.

Reminds me of the time when Lexus went crazy and released the (limited) vertex edition of the GS300 with a twin turbo V6.

Not to be picky, but it would be 641 HP (or 650 PS)

I am not a big fan of the looks. Apparently, it will have a 7400 rpm redline. Have to see it in action.

 

[Centurion]

Can't wait for the fuel consumption figures. I admire the intentions but the LS isn't the right car for this treatment but I am eager to see what the next generation Lexus LS will deliver as a TMG edition.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Screams aftermarket!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

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Last year we saw TMG unveil a wild Lexus LS concept car built with the tools and technology previously used for building F1 cars

(and now used for Le Mans). The concept was the TMG Sports 650, which came powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine delivering 641 horsepower (650 in metric figures) and 564 pound-feet of torque.

As TMG’s Alastair Moffitt explains in the video above, the concept was built to showcase the race car

constructor’s ability to transfer racing technology to the road as well as preview potential upgrades for Lexus’ range of luxury cars.

“We believe you can be very strong in developing prototype examples which could then be taken by the Toyota or Lexus group and expanded into small series production cars,” Moffitt said. “We want to be more involved in the road

car side of things, it’s an interesting and very challenging industry so we’d like to bring something to the brand.”

The video was taken at a recent event in Germany where the TMG Sports 650 was presented to Lexus bosses. Whether TMG ends up as a performance sub-brand for Toyota and Lexus remains to be seen, but at least we know the company can build some pretty menacing road cars should it ever occur.

How menacing? Initial testing of the TMG Sports 650 at the Nürburgring, less than an hour’s drive from TMG’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany, has been promising. The company says the car needs just 3.9 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, which is on par with the latest S63 AMG, and it is claimed to keep going all the way to 200 mph. A Nürburgring lap time will be set as part of the concept’s evaluation process.

- Lexus LS-Based TMG Sports 650 Hits The Track: Video

 

[Merc1]

Though I don't see many Lexus buyers caring for this, they should still build it.

M

 

[Levi68]

I like JDM engine tuning.

 

[Soup]

 

[Merc1]

They aren't doing all this for nothing. Next generation Lexus LS will have a LS-F variant for sure. GS-F is coming also next year, along with the RC-F Coupe. Lexus is responding to the Germans just as they should.

M

 

[Levi68]

 

[Giannis]

Lexus is trying way too hard..

 

[330CIZHP]

Lexus is trying way too hard..

Agreed. Way overdone on the exterior.

 

[Levi68]

Lexus is trying way too hard..

Trying too hard to build cars that drive better than BMW?

 

[Giannis]

Trying too hard to build cars that drive better than BMW?

No. Lexus is trying too hard to change what people think of the brand

 

[Merc1]

You guys are just hateful lol. Clearly this is a development car, that looks no worse than similar German cars when they're being tested. I would be this V8 will be in the next generation LS, if they build a LS-F and possibly in the upcoming GS-F.

M