Did the Nissan GT-R scare the Lexus LF-A off the Nurburgring?

[Bartek S.]

The MotorTrend folks point out an interesting fact. The Lexus LF-A has disappeared from the Nurburgring tracks ever since the production Nissan GT-R hit the road. Even Chevrolet remains there with the Corvette ZR1 bringing in lap times of 7:40.
It could very well be that Toyota’s schedule for testing the Lexus LF-A. However, with Toyota claiming that the Lexus LF-A will be the company’s first real and extreme supercar, and with the technical specs and testing results of the GT-R, the LF-A has a lot to live up to.

Let’s talk track time. Nissan has officially said that the GT-R lapped the Nurburgring in 7:38.54 seconds. The GT-R V-Spec just recently, but unofficially, clained a time of 7:25, 18 seconds faster than the base model. Previously reported, the LF-A unoffcially lapped the Nuburgring in 7:24, meaning the GT-R V-Spec stand up closely to the Toyota supercar.
Technical spec wise Nissan says the GT-R produces 480-hp and does 0-60 in 3.5. Motor Trend dino results say that Godzilla pumps out at least 507-hp and performance tests state a 0-60 time of 3.2. So far what we know about the Lexus LF-A is that it’ll be powered by a 5.0L 500-hp engine that gives it the ability to do 0-60 somewhere in the 3.5 to 4.0 range.
Guess only time will tell when the production version of the LF-A officially arrives on the market.
http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/04/15/did-the-nissan-gt-r-scare-the-lexus-lf-a-off-the-nurburgring/

 

[Alx]

Either way, I love whats happening in this class, all these cars are exciting and incredible. And they all look good.... FUN TIMES!

 

[Centurion]

These pre-production ring times are so pointless.

 

[LaArtist]

7:25??? i dont think so

 

[Mr Robert]

Agreed, preproduction inhouse testings mean nothing.

The closest thing to a reliable time for any one of these cars is 7,50 for the GTR on the NS. This test was performed by SA with a car of unknown production status.

 

[Wunderkind]

Sorry to go off topic for a moment.

If the Nissan GT-R scared the Lexus LF-A off the 'Ring. Then what has happened to the successor to the fantastic Honda NSX?

Last round of rumour went along the lines that the Honda designers in the Japan and US studios could not come up with anything that satisfied the Honda Management..............................

But the most disappointing rumour was that the next NSX will be a front-engined car and not mid-engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The world does not need another Corvette. We need a mid engine supercar!!

 

[chonkoa]

I think the GT-R has scared everyone.

 

[Centurion]

The LF-A and GT-R V-Spec are similar but at the same time quite different. The V-spec targets the uber hard core enthusiats who love cars like the GT2, F430 Scuderia and other track orientated cars, while the LF-A suits those who want a luxury sports car like the 911TT, V8 Vantage and R8.

 

[coolraoul]

I think the GT-R has scared everyone.

I think so, too. Godzilla is a dangerous beast, and it bites...its competitors!

 

[castagna]

7:38-0:18=7:20, not 7:25. That journalist has to do his maths again.

 

[NarutoRamen]

7:38-0:18=7:20, not 7:25. That journalist has to do his maths again.

I was just about to point that out, LOL.

BTW...if the normal GT-R can do N'ring in 7:38 I can see the V-Spec do it in the low 30s, I highly doubt it will hit 7:25 but I'll be optimistic and say it will do 7:28.

 

[Merc1]

I think this is more than a fair question. If anything Lexus' spot was taken. Lexus seems to have wanted their sports car to be the one that put a beating on the European establishment...but Nissan beat them too it. If anything they're back to the drawing board/track to make sure that the Nissan along with the usual European suspects are taken down. Going to be a very hard thing to do.

M

 

[NarutoRamen]

I think this is more than a fair question. If anything Lexus' spot was taken. Lexus seems to have wanted their sports car to be the one that put a beating on the European establishment...but Nissan beat them too it. If anything they're back to the drawing board/track to make sure that the Nissan along with the usual European suspects are taken down. Going to be a very hard thing to do.

M

Considering the billions they spent on F1 and went nowhere, it's safe to say that Toyota's strategy has been pretty stupid.

Money Spent != Fast Cars. I think they need to go back to the enthusiast roots rather than spend money.