New twin-turbo V8 for Lexus LC in 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2020

Toyota Gazoo Racing has just announced that it will be competing once more at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next year. Their vehicle of choice? No other than the Lexus LC.

However, this is not the first time that they will compete in such a race. In fact, this is the third time they will be fielding the LC for the SP-Pro class of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. However, their two previous outings were less than impressive as the team had to spend several hours ironing out unavoidable issues in the pits.

For next year's race, however, the company is banking on a newly-developed, twin-turbo V8 that is destined for use on future road cars and sports cars. That's right, despite Toyota's plan on making more hybrids and electric cars in the future, they have not abandoned making / developing a V8 powertrain.

No other details have been revealed about the V8 other than the fact it will benefit from forced induction. However, there are rumors going around that it will produce upwards of 600 horsepower or more. As for what other cars will get the twin-turbo V8, we don't know for certain yet. We won't be surprised, however, if it will be available on a high-performance Lexus or Toyota model in the not so distant future. Heck, maybe the new engine will be the powerplant of the long-rumored LC F.

The Gazoo Racing LC will be driven by Hiroaki Ishiura, who will compete in the race for the sixth time, will be the chief driver and compete alongside Masahiro Sasaki, Kazuya Oshima, and Naoya Gamo.

With the new V8 set to see its first application in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, this may come as a true test of endurance. And since the engine will soon be powering future road cars and sports cars, Lexus and Toyota might also prove that they can still make a proper eight-cylinder engine, despite the prevalence of four- and six-cylinder engines.