LFA Lexus LF-A Production Version Supercar (Spy pics & info)

[Bartek S.]

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Toyota officials let slip in Tokyo that the production car, likely to be called the LF-A, too, is going to have a V10 engine, developed from the engines in Toyota's F1 cars, which is thought to develop over 500bhp and give 280km/h-plus capability. Although the engine is front- rather than mid-mounted, the LF-A will be rear-wheel drive, and Lexus has promised "the ultimate weight balance", "extravagant comfort" and "precision operation."

While we’ve now snapped the coupé with only minimal disguising, word is that the LF-A could as well come with the option of a metal folding roof, as Lexus aims to take on the likes of the Mercedes SL65 AMG as well as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin DB9 coupes and their drop-top counterparts.

 

[Centurion]

The overall shape is great and the arrangement of the the exhaust tips is very welcome. Hopefully Lexus won't mess it up like the did with the IS-F.

 

[Merc1]

I can't wait to finally see this car officially and read that all-important first press release. This is the first Lexus that has a chance of becoming a true lust object for the enthusiast. I fell head over heels for the concept at the Detroit show this past January and the anticipated has not yet tapered off.

The SL65 and F430 are pretty disparate cars though so I guess their aiming to do it all with this one. The luxury of a SL, the looks of a DB9 (only in their mind), the performance of a Ferrari F430 and the sheer competence of a 911 Turbo. I know one thing they've tested the crap out of it for months now, so there can be no excuses for its dynamics to match the hype.

M

 

[siko]

The LF-A will debut shortly in Tokyo.... or is it?!?!?

Why is it listed as a concept!??! Didn't they already release the concept ?!



PRESS RELEASE
Lexus to Display LF-Xh and LF-A at Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo, October 10, 2007 - Lexus announced today that it plans to display two concept vehicles and six production vehicles at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The show will be open to the general public from October 27 to November 11 at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.

On the basis of its "pursuit of perfection" philosophy, Lexus strives to provide the highest-quality products and to fill every moment with exhilaration and comfort for its customers through continued, uncompromising efforts in all aspects of development, production and sales. At the Tokyo Motor Show, as a new global premium brand for the 21st century, Lexus plans to exhibit a specialty SUV and a premium two-seater sports car.

Further details of the Lexus display are below.

I. Concept Vehicles
LF-Xh (Global unveiling)
A specialty SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system

* The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel.
* Application of "Lexus Hybrid Drive", which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
* All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 gasoline engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system.

Total length: 4,800mm
Total width: 1,895mm
Total height: 1,650mm
Wheelbase: 2,850mm

LF-A
A premium two-seater sports car that represents the impressive Lexus driving performance

* Manifestation of the Lexus "F" premium sports car concept, which offers new Lexus performance through the combination of enhanced fundamental performance and cutting-edge driving technology, pursues the pinnacle of sports car performance.
* Use of L-finesse design creates an elegant and a solid presence.
* A high-performance V10 engine (up to 5.0 liters) and a body made of light yet sturdy carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) combine to provide unprecedented driving performance.

Total length: 4,460mm
Total width: 1,895mm
Total height: 1,220mm
Wheelbase: 2,605mm

II. Production Vehicles

* LS600hL
* IS F

* Other vehicles displayed will include the LS460 and the GS450h.

[Source: Lexus via Autoblog.com]

 

[Centurion]

The LF-A will debut shortly in Tokyo.... or is it?!?!?

Why is it listed as a concept!??! Didn't they already release the concept ?!

We haven't seen any spyshots in ages. The car is probably ready. Lexus has presented two concepts already so I guess this final one will be a production ready concept.

 

[Monster]

Unlike Nissan which is slowly releasing photos and infos of their GTR, Lexus has been strangely quiet about this car.

 

[Merc1]

2007 Tokyo Auto Show: No Lexus LF-A. No Acura V10.

Word on the Tokyo auto show floor is that the Lexus LF-A supercar is a no show because it's not fast enough. Lexus wants it to reach 350 kp/h but it'll only touch 330 kp/h. That's 205 mph. Seems fast enough to us, but Lexus wants the LF-A to be faster than all its rivals. To reach the mark, Lexus has put the car back on the drawing board for an aerodynamics redo.

Acura is in a similar situation with its V10 supercar. Acura wants the front-engine coupe to be a grand tourer. Think Acura DB9. But the car's styling got a thumbs-down from the public at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show when it was shown as the Acura Advance Aero Coupe. It too is getting reshaped.

Which will be the fastest around the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany is the real question. Nissan's GT-R just lapped the place in 7 minutes and 38 seconds. Lexus and Acura want to beat that mark. It'll be a three-way shoot-out for King of the Ring honors and it should be fun. We'll keep you posted. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief


Straightline - 2007 Tokyo Auto Show: No Lexus LF-A. No Acura V10.

M

 

[Bruce]

reach the mark, Lexus has put the car back on the drawing board for an aerodynamics redo.

And there goes the design...

 

[Monster]

So basically the GTR scared its enemy away.

 

[bmer]

330 km/h or 350 km/h, does it count so much? I think most people would be happy with the first...

 

[zetableh]

So, is this gonna have fake exhausts too?! :-D

 

[Bruce]

Posted: 11:45am, 29 October 2007



Lexus LF-A: the lowdown

Earlier in the year we predicted Lexus would unveil its supercar, the LF-A, in production guise at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It didn't, preferring to show its silver concept car (inset above) for the umpteenth time. But even as officials in Japan unconvincingly denied all knowledge of the real car, our network of spy photographers have caught prototypes testing again - and they're looking more and more ready for production.

We've spoken to sources in Tokyo to uncover the most up to date information about the LF-A and its screaming V10 engine.



A V10, you say?

The LF-A was first shown as a concept car in 2005 and was supposed to be launched when the Toyota F1 team started winning races. That winning streak has never materialised and if Toyota waits for victories, the LF-A will surely be wearing a beard by the time it rolls into showrooms...

As the engine rules in F1 have changed, so has the powerplant under development for the LF-A. It now has a V10 petrol engine of just under 5.0 litres capacity, said to develop a muscly 500bhp for 200mph performance. And a hybrid petrol-electric version is also in the pipeline, using a similar V8 hybrid system as in the LS600h.

Toyota could use a similar system for its mooted production version of the FT-HS concept car; it too was a hybrid supercar, a Supra reborn for the eco age.



What else do we know about the roadgoing LF-A?

The production car will be a mite longer than the concept car at 4460mm and wider too at 1895mm, but it'll be the same 1220mm height to keep that dramatic silhouette. This scoop photo proves that Lexus is paying a lot of attention to the aero package, and it's working on a pop-up spoiler to keep the LF-A stable at all speeds, as well as a huge diffuser clearly visible at the rear.

When will we see the LF-A in showrooms? The latest news is that it's still a couple of years away from reality, so expect it to arrive in 2009 when it will become the first Lexus to carry a six-figure price tag in the UK. As the technical showcase for Lexus, it is set to cost more than £100,000.

Words: Tim Pollard

>> Lexus LF-A supercar - Secret New Cars - Carmagazine.co.uk

 

[Merc1]

From the looks of things this will be the first Lexus I truly desire to place alongside all the German, Italian, and British iron in my dream garage. The proprotions are great, it is detailing that will make or break the overall look.

Back down to the real world, if Toyota actually produces that FT-HS for regular folks' budgets I'll consider it. Honestly.

M

 

[Centurion]

I'm fully with you Marcus, the proportions are absolutely flawless. My hopes for this car is high and if Lexus doesn't screw it up with silly and exaggerated design details it can turn out to be one hell of a beauty. And the interior better not be from the Land Cruiser or something like that. I want the car to be a 599GTB but at 40% of the price.

 

[Sunny]

Yeah the car is looking really good -hope it stays that way and they don't spoil it with some stupid details. The car could do wonders to the Lexus brand.

 

[Centurion]

Yeah the car is looking really good -hope it stays that way and they don't spoil it with some stupid details. The car could do wonders to the Lexus brand.

It sure can but I'm a bit worried that they will go overboard with the design like they did with the IS-F or like Audi partially did with the R8. i hate when companies try too hard.

 

[PanterroR]

Lexus "struggling" to develop LF-A supercar



Toyota's showing in Tokyo was rife with disappointments, none more so than what was over at the Lexus booth. Beyond its LF-Xh hybrid crossover, rumor had it that a revised version of the LF-A supercar would make an appearance. No such luck. Instead, the same show car we've seen over the last year stood alone, longing for refinement.

According to Winding Road's Japan correspondent, the reason for the dismal showing was a shakeup on the engineering side of Lexus' new halo. A number of "key engineers" have apparently been yanked off the project to work on other programs within Toyota, and that, partnered with problems providing power from both a V10 and a gas-electric hybrid V8, along with reaching the 218 MPH targeted top speed, has caused delays in development.

The business plan for the LF-A includes building 26 units per month, and sources suggest that sales are likely to begin in 2009 – the same year Acura will bring its own supercar to market.




Source Autoblog via Winding Road

 

[Poverty]

Re: Lexus "struggling" to develop LF-A supercar

That is one ugly car

 

[Merc1]

Re: Lexus "struggling" to develop LF-A supercar

Ok, one delay isn't so bad, but if this car doesn't show up next year sometime in production trim Lexus runs the risk of it being all hyped out by the time it does reach the market. No more delays. Hell don't mention it anymore until it is ready to ship.

M

 

[siko]

Lexus LF-A mule unseats Porsche GT2 as King of the 'Ring

A Lexus LF-A mule has unofficially recorded a lap time on the Nordschleife of 7 minutes, 24 seconds. This is not in dispute. What is in dispute is how many seconds faster the LF-A's lap time is than that of the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, the previous "King of the 'Ring" record holder. Wikipedia notes that the fastest 911 GT2 driven around the Ring posted a lap time of 7 minutes, 32 seconds and was driven by Walter Röhrl, Porsche's company test driver and accomplished WRC driver and road racing pilot. Porsche was so proud of the feat that it produced a snazzy video of the run that you can watch here. AutoExpress, however, which reported on the LF-A's remarkable lap time, claims that the fastest 911 GT2 lap time on the Nurburgring is 7 minutes, 25 seconds, but we could find no evidence on the web of a stock 911 GT2 ever posting a time that fast. Also note that a handful of other cars have posted lap times, but all are either tuner cars or limited production boutique cars like the Pagani Zonda F.

Nevertheless, the Lexus LF-A's time is remarkable and puts in a class normally populated by purpose-built tuner cars. Its 4.8L V10 churns out a reported 552bhp while slapping the needle against a 9,000 rpm redline. A 210 mph top speed is said to be the car's upper bound, which makes us shake our heads. This is, after all, the brand that brought us the sarcophagus of a car that is the LS sedan. The production LF-A should be able to repeat the performance, but we'll have to wait a while longer while the Lexus supercar finishes baking in the oven. In the meantime, for Pete's sake, someone ship a Corvette ZR1 to Germany!

[Source: AutoExpress via Autoblog.com]