Is the forthcoming Lexus RC F going to have a BMW M4-fighting 460-hp V8?

By Nick Jaynes Published December 20, 2013

will lexus rc f coupe coming detroit 460 hp v8 teaser 2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ve known that Lexus will be bring its latest performance coupe, the RC F to the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. What we didn’t know was what exactly would power it. Could it be a hybrid? Perhaps the Japanese luxury automaker would go for a supercharged V6.

Well, stop speculating. Rumor has it that the RC F will be powered by a 460-horsrpower V8, according to an image found on Autoblog. Which V8 could this be? If we’ve done our math right, it should be the same 5.0-liter V8 under the hood of the 2014 IS F but retuned for more power.

rcf-scan-1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If all this is true, Lexus has the makings of a very exciting, very sporty vehicle indeed. A more fearsome version of its 5.0 V8 bolted into a smaller, more modern car could prove very satisfying.

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What transmission will back it, however, we don’t yet know. Hopefully it’ll be something a bit better than the eight-speed auto that sends power to the rear wheels of the current IS F. It’s a great transmission, don’t get me wrong, but it was always searching for gears. Punch the throttle and it’d have to shift down four gears just to get to the power band.

Lexus F teaser — Image used with permission by copyright holder

But, oh, when it did finally find a good gear and go … it was a thing of roaring beauty.

Perhaps my waxing romantic is a bit premature. You’ll have to forgive me; I just love the idea of an M3-fighting Lexus. I love driving dynamics and power, but, if I am honest, I also love reliability.

So, do I have high hopes? Yes. Are they likely to be dashed? Also yes. I won’t know for sure, however, until the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks. So be sure to check back for more.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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eaton treehouse ev charging news releases

Power-management firm Eaton likes to point out that when it launched in 1911, it invested in a new idea -- the very first gear-driven truck axle -- just at a time when both transportation and power management were on the cusp of dramatic change.
More than 113 years later, Eaton is again seeking to lead innovation in the current energy transition.
The power-management firm just signed a deal with Treehouse, an AI, software-enabled installation platform for electrification projects. The end goal: accelerating the electrification of homes for electric-vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage, or heat pumps, while seeking more efficiency and cost savings.
“At Eaton, we’re all-in on the energy transition and we’re making it happen at scale by delivering breakout technologies and industry collaborations needed to delight customers and make it more accessible and affordable,” says Paul Ryan, general manager of Connected Solutions and EV Charging at Eaton.
The partnership will ensure consumers are provided with accurate and fast pricing, as well as access to licensed electricians to deliver code-compliant installations, the companies say.
The collaboration also integrates into Eaton’s “Home as a Grid” approach, which supports the two-way flow of electricity, enabling homeowners to produce and consume renewable energy when they need it, Eaton says.
“For more than a century, power has flowed in one direction—from centralized power plants into homes,” the company says. “Today, there’s a new reality thanks to solar, electric-vehicle charging, energy storage, digitalization, and more.”
Projects to change homes and EVs into energy hubs have multiplied recently.
Last month, Nissan joined ChargeScape, a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) venture that is already backed by BMW, Ford, and Honda. ChargeScape’s software wirelessly connects EVs to power grids and utility companies, enabling consumers to receive financial incentives for temporarily pausing charging during periods of high demand. Eventually, consumers should also be able to sell the energy stored in their EVs’ battery back to the power grid.
In August, GM announced that V2G technology will become standard in all its model year 2026 models. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted that Tesla could introduce V2G technology for its vehicles in 2025.

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Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and EVs offer big incentives as year nears its end

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It’s no secret that automakers and dealerships typically climb over each other to offer the best incentives before the year ends. But this year’s sales season is expected to be particularly competitive, with slowing sales translating to greater urgency to clear inventory.

According to research from Kelley Blue Book, the respected vehicle-valuation firm, overall incentives on new vehicle sales were up by 60% in October compared to the previous year.

Cars

Jeep, Ram EREVs will get 690-mile range with new Stellantis platform

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Stellantis, the giant automotive group, is betting big on extending the range of both its hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs).

Last month, the company, which owns the Jeep, Dodge, and Ram brands in the U.S., invested nearly $30 million into an advanced wind tunnel at its research center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The goal is to study airflow around a vehicle’s wheels and tires to further optimize its EVs and boost their range.