LFA Word of Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition emerges from Japan

[hoffmeister_fan]

Only the fact that they used that track instead of the one that is used in the performance brand's abbreviation tells you something.

Everyone may think what they want, but to me, Toyota is trying to be German all they can and it is not suiting. Japan has tons of racing tradition to fall back on.

At the same token, is Aston Martin trying to be German with the N400 Vantage?

I would agree with you if they slapped the track name on any other car in their line-up, but the LFA is a full-fledged high-performance sports car.


EDIT: I might add that Fuji is evocative of the iconic mountain than the actual track. Also Suzuka, which I think is owned by Honda, is too close to Suzuki.

 

[Mr Robert]

At the same token, is Aston Martin trying to be German with the N400 Vantage?

Yes. In a sense it is. What I really meant to say was that Toyota is trying to be European but this Aston model shows that trying to be European could as well be trying to be German.

On the other hand, who can blame them. Toyota's Lexus brand can't be regarded as anything but a failure here in Europe.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Yes. In a sense it is. What I really meant to say was that Toyota is trying to be European but this Aston model shows that trying to be European could as well be trying to be German.

On the other hand, who can blame them. Toyota's Lexus brand can't be regarded as anything but a failure here in Europe.

Ok, the first part confused me. Toyota recognized ,in order to provide a globally competitive perfomance car, it'll have to go to the hallowed grounds of the Nordschleife. There's no two ways about it. Even to be considered a player, cars have to cut their teeth on this track. Well, it did for over 5 years. If anything it's a commendation to the Germans, that after so many years, and so many tracks that have since been constructed with ridiculous technologies at the track developers diposal, cars still come out here. This was the LFA's adoptive home for 5 years. A good deal of cars, save for maybe the GTR, do not spend that much time in development. So the connection to the track is real. Yes, it could use 'Fuji,' but as you said, it's been used in the name itself, so that'd be a bit redundant. And, as stated before, when people hear Fuji, they, including those in the automotive know, think of the volcanic mountain or camera film, before they even think of a race track.

And I can't argue with the fact that Lexus in Europe has not been successful, especially, when they lack a range of viable diesel options. Their 2.2L inline 4 diesel is dreadfully anemic.

Usually, I'm not this quick to respond to replies/posts but I'm doing everything to procrastinate of actually doing real work today. But I ought to get to bed. Good night.

 

[Mr Robert]

Ok, the first part confused me.

When I first wrote that Toyota is trying to be German, I thaught "European" but wrote "German".

 

[VroomVroom]

**COUGH**

**COUGH**

 

[coolraoul]

I honestly cannot understand how you can hate a product based on its brand only. Unless you got some personal history with that brand that is.

But sayin' "I hate it just 'cause it's a Lexus"? Basically, the same car with a Star instead of an L would become brilliant, just like that?

I, too, am doing my job of a passive citizen blindly listening to the marketing guy, so I do identify myself with one or another brand. While some other brand let me indifferent.

But that's not because of all the marketing, history, brand awareness stuff, but because the products of that particular brand do echo the things I like.

The brand is only a facade allowing to sell products. It's always, for me, the product that matters. Sure, having that particular brand is an indication of how the product will perform, so I suspect that a product of the brand X will please me more than the one of the brand Z. But it's no warranty.

And if another brand has a better product, well... I'd be quite dumb not to choose it, wouldn't I? Just because of some marketing BS?

I usually do not like Lexus. I consider myself a Mercedes fan.

However, there's no denying that the LF-A is an absolutely exquisite, stunning, marvellous piece of engineering. A fantastic machine. And it could wear any badge in the world, it still would be a work of art.

I think that anybody with an open mind is able to see that the LF-A is a superb supercar, easily on par with the best of Porsche and Ferrari.

 

[Merc1]

Only 3 Lexus' matter, and the LF-A is #1 ! ~ by A Mercedes stalwart.


M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Officially Official: Lexus LFA Nürburgring gets more specs, limited to just 50 units

LEXUS UNLEASHES THE ULTIMATE LFA

Now available with new track-focused Nürburgring package

KEY POINTS

* Lexus introduces Nürburgring package for the LFA supercar, aimed at hardcore track driving enthusiasts
* New aerodynamic elements for greater downforce, including fixed rear wing
* Power increased to more than 562bhp, gearshift times cut to just 0.15 seconds
* Nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and top speed of 202mph maintained in spite of higher downforce
* Performance package launched in celebration of LFA's entry in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race
* Just 50 examples to be built, within the total LFA production limit of 500 cars

In celebration of its LFA supercar taking on the challenge of the Nürburgring 24 Hours race in May, Lexus has launched a new performance package designed to appeal to customers seeking full-blooded track performance.

The new Nürburgring package provides additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions that improve handling and downforce without compromising the exceptional speed and acceleration that are central to the LFA's driving character.

Greater downforce, essential to peak track performance, has been gained through revisions and additions to several of the LFA's CFRP components, including a larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and a new fixed rear wing.

Maximum power from the mid-front-mounted 4.8-litre V10 engine has been increased by 10bhp to more than 562bhp and gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission have been cut to just 0.15 seconds. Thanks to these changes, nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202mph are maintained, in spite of the extra drag created by the new aerodynamic elements.

Handling modifications include sports tuning of the suspension and mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tyres.

Just 50 LFA will be available with the Nürburgring package, within the car's strictly limited global production run of 500 examples. If they wish, customers will be able to take advantage of individual driving instruction on the legendary Nordschleife circuit from the Nürburgring's chief instructors. They will also receive a one-year driving pass to the track.

- Officially Official: Lexus LFA Nürburgring gets more specs, limited to just 50 units — Autoblog