In the months leading up to Lexus’ LFA übercar debut, several rumors suggested that the LFA would be a hybrid. Those rumors quieted when the car debuted at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show with a 4.8L V10. But these recent photos from Brenda Priddy’s network of international spyglassers are again fueling speculation.

“This prototype appears to wear some of the camouflage and fake body panels we saw on LFA prototypes two and three years ago,” Priddy says. “What is new, however, is a piece of camo on the front fender near the A-pillar.”

The camo flap could be some kind of decoy, or it just might be a charging port, not unlike what GM’s plug-in test mules use, Priddy says.

“With the strong interest the Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept has generated, we think it's possible Lexus may be trying to beat Porsche to the punch. Porsche's development chief told Bloomberg that nearly 1,000 people were ready to buy a production 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid. We're sure Lexus would love to be first to market in what could be the start of a green supercar movement.”

Are we looking at the world's first hybrid supercar during early testing? Something that can drive to the track on battery power and then uncork 553hp in the corners? Time will tell.

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.