Lexus Trademarks ‘IS 300’ and ‘RC 300’ Models

Three-hundred appears to be an important figure at Lexus. The Japanese automaker has filed several trademarks for names containing this number.

Lexus Trademarks ‘300’ Models

It started in October of last year when a filing for the name RC 300 turned up. About six months later IS 300 appeared in another trademark-office filing. Keep in mind these names lack a lowercase “h” at the end indicating, in Lexus’ current parlance, that these would be non-hybrid models. Curiously an application for the name GS 300 was submitted in late 1991 and is still active.

All of this seems to indicate these model lines will receive a new engine of some sort, perhaps a V6 with a displacement of 3.0-liters. But our friends over at Kaizen-Factor.com speculate that these upcoming models will feature a next-generation version of Toyota’s familiar 2GR-FSE 3.5-liter V6.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Lexus RC F Review

When used in the redesigned Tacoma pickup truck they predict the new powerplant will be called the 7GR-FSE and displace three-and-a-half-liters. Differentiating these engines, the new one is expected to feature Atkinson-Otto-cycle capability, electrically operated variable valve timing and other enhancements.

In Lexus applications they project the engine will be designated 8GR-FSE. Still, this is a lot of speculation based off a few trademark filings. What do you think Lexus is working on here?

Discuss this story on our Toyota Forum.