A few months ago, it was rumored that Lexus could drop the IS F sports sedan for the next-generation IS. Apparently, Lexus made that decision due to the low sales reported last year - only 486 units.

New reports now suggest that Lexus IS->ke500 chief engineer Junichi Furuyama hinted that a new-generation IS F could, in fact, happen.

While this may be good news, here comes the bad news: the next IS F could drop the current 5.0-liter V-8 engine because it will be impossible for the engine to meet the Euro 6 emissions standards. Furuyama said nothing else on the subject, but he revealed that the company will "probably need a new engine for the F model," with the most likely choices being a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine. Another possibilities is a hybrid powertrain, but most likely this won't happen for the current generation.

Expect the new generation IS F to be unveiled in the next 2 or 3 years.

Click past the jump to read more about the current IS-F.

Lexus IS F

Lexus unveiled the current-generation IS F back in 2006 and it dropped cover in the North American market at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

The current IS F is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 416 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and a peak torque of 371 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. This allows the IS F to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 167 mph.