LFA Word of Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition emerges from Japan

[HighestOfHigh]

Remember when Lexus was synonymous with cushy, spongy rides that were anything but performance oriented? That all seems a distant memory since Toyota's luxury division set its sights on the likes of BMW with the IS-F, even more so with the release of the exclusive LFA supercar. But according to the latest, Lexus ain't done yet.

Back in October when we were in Miami test driving the LFA, we brought you a report on the possibility of a stripped-down, competition-focused version. Now it appears that this track edition is upon us.

Apparently called the Nürburgring edition – in reference to the legendary German road course where the competition prototypes that led to the production LFA cut their proverbial teeth – this extra-special LFA will benefit from a large, fixed rear wing, a splitter up front, a stiffer (and more adjustable) suspension, lightweight alloys coated in track rubber and an extra 10 horsepower (likely resulting from a revised exhaust system).

Aside from the four paint options – which reportedly include glossy black, matte black, orange, and an unknown fourth color – that's about all we've got for now.

- http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/15/word-of-lexus-lfa-nurburgring-track-edition-emerges-from-japan/

 

[VroomVroom]

Think Lexus are trying a little bit to hard to be German..

 

[Mr Robert]

Think Lexus are trying a little bit to hard to be German..

Why would they not?

Question is, what ring time will they claim for this one? 6 minutes?

 

[Nicks]

Why would they not?

Question is, what ring time will they claim for this one? 6 minutes?

Too simple for toyota. Expect less than 1 minute

 

[Mr Robert]

Too simple for toyota. Expect less than 1 minute

Yeah, I guess an average speed of 1,200+ km/h would be in line with marketing expectations ;-)

 

[adeel2010]

i wonder if the brakes work...

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Think Lexus are trying a little bit to hard to be German..

Well, they did test the car extensively at this track.

 

[Centurion]

Might as well call it LF-A N400 while they are at it:

 

[adeel2010]

Toyota needs to stick to its Japanese roots instead of mimicking the Germans. Poser car.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Toyota needs to stick to its Japanese roots instead of mimicking the Germans. Poser car.

How is this a poser car?

 

[adeel2010]

How is this a poser car?

I just hate it because it's a Lexus.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I just hate it because it's a Lexus.

Fair enough. So the level of technology and performance, achieved via bespoke methods doesn't really amount to much because it's Lexus?

 

[adeel2010]

Fair enough. So the level of technology and performance, achieved via bespoke methods doesn't really amount to much because it's Lexus?

No, that is all quite impressive. They have no reason to make it so exclusive, because after all is said and done, it's just a Lexus. It is the boring bland copycat of a brand. In essence, a Toyota.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

No, that is all quite impressive. They have no reason to make it so exclusive, because after all is said and done, it's just a Lexus. It is the boring bland copycat of a brand. In essence, a Toyota.

Ok, but that's like saying that Ferrari's just a gussied up FIAT, or that Audi's a glorified VW. Lexus has been accused of copying designs from other marques, namely MB and BMW. There's not denying that. But with the LFA they are able to break away from that. The LFA looks nothing like any of the cars out there, except maybe a hint of GTR, and even then the design exercise were released around the same time (Tokyo 2003), so I really don't see how this can be perceived as a copy-cat. Save for the recent debacles, Lexuses (Lexi?) have been pretty well-engineered cars. Case in point, when they introduced the original Lexus LS400, it widely regarded as a well engineered car. I'm sure that car had as much "soul" as the S-class. It's true they lost sight what made them good cars when they aspired for growth, and they where they are because, well hubris usually leads to downfalls.

I just find it funny that even when they are trying to inject some passion into their cars, it still faces widespread derision. And I'm not saying that you got to like the LFA, but it's definitely a well-respected accomplishment.

And to further my point, Chris Harris, a car journalist who's pretty well-known for his discerning taste for performance car had this to say...

And this guy has pretty much driven anything worth its salt. And, not to make generalization, but British car journalists tend to be pretty merciless when critiquing Lexuses.

With that said, perception of a particular brand is never salient and static, and should never be. I respect heritage, but I like to see what they got and where they are going. Lexus had the backing of a Goliath with Toyota which puts them at an advantage. They produced well-engineered cars that co-opted the competitions' design. Now they are producing cars that are still relatively well-engineered and with its own emerging identity. And they are doing that by taking a big risk with the LFA. I like where they are going. Now if they could only take care of that whole braking and acceleration issue.

End rant/

Also, who ever owns the Nurburgring track ought to copyright the name along with the Nordenschleife, they could rake in a hefty buck with the way that car companies evoke performance by using the track's name.

 

[Mr Robert]

The north loop of the Nurburgring is a public road.

I think it is quite lame of Toyota to name the car after the ring, isn't Fuji the track of the brand? It does smell a little insecurity and inferiority complex.

 

[Monster]

I just hate it because it's a Lexus.

No, that is all quite impressive. They have no reason to make it so exclusive, because after all is said and done, it's just a Lexus. It is the boring bland copycat of a brand. In essence, a Toyota.

You can hate the brand all you want, but this car, and Toyota's determination to produce this car to their exact standards cannot be overlooked. Whatever way you look at it, this is a uniquely engineered super car, and it is not just a Toyota. Personally I don't think much of the Lexus brand but they have earned my respect with this car.

And why shouldn't Toyota/Lexus try something different, people try, failed but try again until they find something that works.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

The north loop of the Nurburgring is a public road.

I think it is quite lame of Toyota to name the car after the ring, isn't Fuji the track of the brand? It does smell a little insecurity and inferiority complex.

How is considered an inferiority complex when the car was extensively tested at Nurburgring for over 5 years? It was even tested in the 24-hour race that is held there. Look it this way, Bentley has named cars after turns at Le Mans (Mulsanne and the Arnage) because they have raced there. The track is French yet Bentley's British (well, German if you want to get techinical).

Yes, regarding the North Loop, I was trying to point out that car manufacturers will invoke the Nurburgring to show off their perfomance credibility, like it's "N-ring qualified" seal of approval. I'm sure that the N-ring was a testing locale for the Vantage as it was for numerous performance cars (and even non-performance cars). There's a reason why it's one of the most recognized tracks: it's the most demanding. I'm sure Fuji's demanding, but this track is legendary and the most recognized amongst enthusiasts.

 

[Wunderkind]

How is considered an inferiority complex when the car was extensively tested at Nurburgring for over 5 years? It was even tested in the 24-hour race that is held there. Look it this way, Bentley has named cars after turns at Le Mans (Mulsanne and the Arnage) because they have raced there. The track is French yet Bentley's British (well, German if you want to get techinical).

Yes, regarding the North Loop, I was trying to point out that car manufacturers will invoke the Nurburgring to show off their perfomance credibility, like it's "N-ring qualified" seal of approval. I'm sure that the N-ring was a testing locale for the Vantage as it was for numerous performance cars (and even non-performance cars). There's a reason why it's one of the most recognized tracks: it's the most demanding. I'm sure Fuji's demanding, but this track is legendary and the most recognized amongst enthusiasts.

But the LF-A was never competitive in the Nurburgring 24 races and I don't think they ever finished a race........................

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

But the LF-A was never competitive in the Nurburgring 24 races and I don't think they ever finished a race........................

That is true. But the track was, essentially, where it was groomed.

 

[Mr Robert]

How is considered an inferiority complex when the car was extensively tested at Nurburgring for over 5 years?

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.