Just a few days back, we brought you news that Aston Martin is seriously considering downsizing engines in its product range. The trick, it seems, is balancing power with fuel efficiency and lower emissions, while not “undermining the exclusivity” that makes an Aston Martin an Aston Martin.

Now comes word from De Telegraaf that Aston Martin may be looking to Toyota for engines, with particular interest in the V8s used by Lexus. The British luxury automaker may even have its sights on the 4.8-liter V-10 that Toyota builds exclusively for the Lexus LFA, although we’re not sure how interested Toyota would be in sharing this hand-built engine.

Since there’s already an established relationship between Aston Martin and Toyota, such a move makes good sense to us. Toyota supplies Aston with iQ bodies in white, which the British firm builds into its diminutive-but-pricey Cygnet city car.

Aston CEO Ulrich Bez and Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda are more than just casual acquaintances, too. Both are avid race car drivers, competing in events like the Nürburgring 24 Hours as their schedules allow. In 2011, the pair swapped rides, with Toyoda driving for Aston Martin and Bez piloting the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA.

The teams even shared garage space for the 24 hour event, and Bez commented that “other company bosses meet on the golf course; we race together.” It comes as no surprise, then, that the two automakers may be planning to build cars together, too.