Lexus LF-A: The Long and Winding Road

[JacZilla]

Swap all the CF for Aluminum, rip of that stupid name (who the hell is going to remember all of these cars that are named some three letters? Lexus failed awesomely?) and replace with "Toyota Supra"... then drop the price $325,000 and it would be worth it.

5 years ago this would have be completely awesome. Now, Lexus has missed the market and they're just slapping a huge price tag and a production limit to make sure all of them sell and recuperate some of the research costs...

 

[Dijital Majik]

Swap all the CF for Aluminum, rip of that stupid name (who the hell is going to remember all of these cars that are named some three letters? Lexus failed awesomely?) and replace with "Toyota Supra"... then drop the price $325,000 and it would be worth it.

So true. So very, very true.

 

[Jim Prower]

(who the hell is going to remember all of these cars that are named some three letters? Lexus failed awesomely?)

I dunno. I fondly remember...

AMX
GNX
NSX






...........Maybe they need to end it in "X"

 

[homeforsummer]

Wow, that's hideous. Let's have a look at everything that's wrong:

- Stupid grille just above the badge that looks like a horrifically bad bonnet shut-line.
- Indicator lights in the middle of nowhere between the front lights and the wheel arch. They don't even follow the line particularly well off the top of the...
- ...ridiculous, Prius-like triangular vents either side of the main grille.
- The headlights. Light "eyebrows" aren't cool as an aftermarket accessory, and somehow on an expensive supercar they look even more ridiculous. The lights themselves look too small given the size of the rest of the car, so it looks like it has a squint.
- The vents just forward of the C-pillar

And if we move around to the rear:

- Bootlid-mounted third brakelights - guaranteed to look out of place on anything. What's wrong with one mounted just inside the rear screen?
- The large eyesore black vents coming off the lights, which can only be described as panda eyes of Kelly Osborne proportions.
- The rear wheels look dwarfed in the massive slab of virtually unbroken metal that makes up the side of the car.

It's one of the most uncohesive car designs I've seen in years. It's even uglier than the Nissan GT-R, but doesn't have the great stance and short overhangs that car has.

What's worst of all is that it doesn't even suit being a Lexus. It annoys me that Toyota have been buggering about with an overpriced supercar rather than giving us something like a proper Celica, Supra or MR-2 replacement. Their one saving grace on the horizon is the Toyobaru.

 

[Omnis]

Wow, that's hideous. Let's have a look at everything that's wrong:

- Stupid grille just above the badge that looks like a horrifically bad bonnet shut-line.
- Indicator lights in the middle of nowhere between the front lights and the wheel arch. They don't even follow the line particularly well off the top of the...
- ...ridiculous, Prius-like triangular vents either side of the main grille.
- The headlights. Light "eyebrows" aren't cool as an aftermarket accessory, and somehow on an expensive supercar they look even more ridiculous. The lights themselves look too small given the size of the rest of the car, so it looks like it has a squint.
- The vents just forward of the C-pillar

And if we move around to the rear:

- Bootlid-mounted third brakelights - guaranteed to look out of place on anything. What's wrong with one mounted just inside the rear screen?
- The large eyesore black vents coming off the lights, which can only be described as panda eyes of Kelly Osborne proportions.
- The rear wheels look dwarfed in the massive slab of virtually unbroken metal that makes up the side of the car.

It's one of the most uncohesive car designs I've seen in years. It's even uglier than the Nissan GT-R, but doesn't have the great stance and short overhangs that car has.

What's worst of all is that it doesn't even suit being a Lexus. It annoys me that Toyota have been buggering about with an overpriced supercar rather than giving us something like a proper Celica, Supra or MR-2 replacement. Their one saving grace on the horizon is the Toyobaru.

THANK YOU. Finally, someone who agrees with me.

 

[Alex.]

Badass, but I can't wait for the facelift

 

[CodeRedR51]

Wow, that's hideous. Let's have a look at everything that's wrong:

*snip*

Totally agree with everything you said there. I see what Toyota was trying to do here, but they just failed miserably.

 

[DeathSmiles]

The styling is definitely polarizing. I like it, however. Didn't at first, but after the vids, I'm sold on its styling,

 

[sumbrownkid]

Yeah this is what of those love it or hate it designs, and I love it's radical nature. If only the price wasn't insanely expensive for a Lexus.

The digital rendition of the needles on the dash is sick. I'll take that over the F458's cluster.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Swap all the CF for Aluminum, rip of that stupid name (who the hell is going to remember all of these cars that are named some three letters? Lexus failed awesomely?) and replace with "Toyota Supra"... then drop the price $325,000 and it would be worth it.

That's what they call an exclusize car. This isn't just a car that will go into mass production, this is a ridiculously expensive car, with futuristuc, staggering looks, and some excellent performance. Those 500 units will get sold, easily. There are enough people out there who have more money than anything else willing to buy this car. I would. I think it looks absolutely brilliant. They did kill the front headlights which were so awesome on the concept, but it doesn't hurt the look as a whole all too much. It looks like a spaceship on wheels, sounding like an F1 car. Exactly what cars need to look like, in my opinion.

It does look way better in white, though. Probably because all we've seen of it so far was either in black or grey. I just hope Toyota will go bazookas and offer one in orange, then I'm totally sold.


*EDIT* That speedometer is the coolest thing ever. EV4HR!

 

[Azuremen]

You guys are all on drugs if you think this thing is ugly. It is distinct and decidely Lexus at the same time.

As for colors and production, I do wonder if they'll follow through with the Roadster version?

 

[Bram Turismo]

That's pretty much what the LF-A should've looked like. It is a stunner, but when I compare the two, I don't like where they headed with the front end. The engine note is brilliant, but please...Toyota...make that convertible...

 

[Azuremen]

That's pretty much what the LF-A should've looked like. It is a stunner, but when I compare the two, I don't like where they headed with the front end. The engine note is brilliant, but please...Toyota...make that convertible...

I actually prefer the revised front end. It feels far more aggressive in my mind.

Swap all the CF for Aluminum, rip of that stupid name (who the hell is going to remember all of these cars that are named some three letters? Lexus failed awesomely?) and replace with "Toyota Supra"... then drop the price $325,000 and it would be worth it.

Do you honestly think someone would want a $400,000 Toyota? The only people (no offense Bram) that really want a Supra are mostly the younger generation that is into "imports" generally, not people that make 6 figures a year.

And more so, do you think someone that is spending over $300,000 on a car is going to care about 50 grand for reduced chassis rigidity or even just the claim to baller status?

 

[Omnis]

It is distinct and decidely Lexus at the same time.

That's true. I forgot that all Lexuses were ugly.

 

[Bram Turismo]

That's true. I forgot that all Lexuses were ugly.

Note the word "were". The latest IS is by far the best looking car in its class:

​

 

[Philly]

- Stupid grille just above the badge that looks like a horrifically bad bonnet shut-line.
- Indicator lights in the middle of nowhere between the front lights and the wheel arch. They don't even follow the line particularly well off the top of the...
- ...ridiculous, Prius-like triangular vents either side of the main grille.
- The headlights. Light "eyebrows" aren't cool as an aftermarket accessory, and somehow on an expensive supercar they look even more ridiculous. The lights themselves look too small given the size of the rest of the car, so it looks like it has a squint.
- The vents just forward of the C-pillar

- Agreed 100%. I have no idea how anybody could think that that is a good idea. How to avoid it? Design the front in a way that it doesn't need to be broken up with it. Or maybe just put a little scoop toward the front of the hood.
- I think those are just side markers that'll be on when the lights are on. Do they look bad? I don't think so. But they could have been better placed I'm sure.
- I was thinking more Holden or something GM for the vents. I think the front bumper has plenty of potential, but it just isn't executed all that well and doesn't fit what the car should be.
- What on Earth happened with the headlights? They still look taped up like a prototype. It looks like a cross-eyed fish.

The large eyesore black vents coming off the lights, which can only be described as panda eyes of Kelly Osborne proportions.
- The rear wheels look dwarfed in the massive slab of virtually unbroken metal that makes up the side of the car.

It's one of the most uncohesive car designs I've seen in years. It's even uglier than the Nissan GT-R, but doesn't have the great stance and short overhangs that car has.

- They look alright I think. It's not necessarily a bad thing but is just a daring move that just didn't work quite right.
- I do enjoy that they're sort of going back in time with the beltline that isn't so steep that the car looks like it's about to fall over and the fairly plain sides. But it just doesn't work with the complexity of the rest of the car.

To be honest, I think it still looks like an unfinished prototype. I'm sure I'll think otherwise when I see one, but for now it looks like something GM would have halfassed to hurry it out to the market. Or maybe I just don't want to like it.

As for colors and production, I do wonder if they'll follow through with the Roadster version?

Seeing that makes me wonder what happened in the design studios with the LF-A. The concepts were beautiful. And I hate Lexuses. That is what this car should have been. Beautiful with a nicely appointed interior. Toyota went wrong the day they decided to make an aggressive track monster that is at the same time a Lexus. Aggressiveness and performance are quite opposite to class and luxury. You just can't have both.

EDIT: White is also not the car's color, IMO.

 

[chepe371]

It's pretty horrendous, like a melting pot of the 350z(superb) a supra(superb) a GT by Citroen(personally i find it terrible) and an r35(superb). 3 out of 4 should be a passing grade, but there's just something wrong....terribly terribly wrong, maybe its the price tag, maybe its the chunkiness trying to be passed off as sleekness.

 

[Azuremen]

To be honest, I think it still looks like an unfinished prototype. I'm sure I'll think otherwise when I see one, but for now it looks like something GM would have halfassed to hurry it out to the market. Or maybe I just don't want to like it.

I think you answered your own question with this...

Seeing that makes me wonder what happened in the design studios with the LF-A. The concepts were beautiful. And I hate Lexuses. That is what this car should have been. Beautiful with a nicely appointed interior. Toyota went wrong the day they decided to make an aggressive track monster that is at the same time a Lexus.

But is is okay, you like VW, so we can over look this.

Aggressiveness and performance are quite opposite to class and luxury. You just can't have both.

EDIT: White is also not the car's color, IMO.

The car is a Juxtaposition of design. Which is what modern supercars are... they combine generally outrageous looks and performance with luxury and class. The silhouette of the car is simple and clean, but under full lighting, you can tell it also means business. This is what I felt has been lacking from many recent Ferraris... they are just too conservative. The other end of the spectrum would be a Zonda, which is just "look, guys, I don't really care what you think because I am doing it live." Which is a bit too much for many people.

This, the LF-A, blends modern, conservative design cues with aggressive elements, in my opinion, extremely well.

As for the white, I'm normally not a fan on cars, but it seems oddly classy on this. Like "I don't need a bold color to really stand out, or some dark color to look sexy and slimming."

It's pretty horrendous, like a melting pot of the 350z(superb) a supra(superb) a GT by Citroen(personally i find it terrible) and an r35(superb). 3 out of 4 should be a passing grade, but there's just something wrong....terribly terribly wrong, maybe its the price tag, maybe its the chunkiness trying to be passed off as sleekness.

And how is it chunky, more so when you compare it to an R35 GT-R?

.

Really, I think you guys are just all on drugs

 

[Azuremen]

Crap, that is what I get for wanting to EDIT quote something and not paying attention.

Double Post...

 

[homeforsummer]

You guys are all on drugs if you think this thing is ugly. It is distinct and decidely Lexus at the same time.

Drugs! Didn't think of that. They might improve it.

 

[Leonidae]

it looks like womans sex toy.

 

[franz]

It looks awesome but not in the same level of awesomeness as other limited production supercars. The price may be right considering the time they work on the car and those expensive materials they have used. I guess Toyota just wanna have the halo car to top other Japanese manufacturers by a huge margin like Honda did NSX 19 years ago, but in rather non-sense way.

Like Alfa 8C and Reventon, Toyota may make the convertible version if this coupe version sells well.

 

[sumbrownkid]

it looks like womans sex toy.

That's one way of putting it.

 

[spyrrari]

Autocar tests the Lexus !!!...:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcVHmv43f-s


spyrrari.


EDITeps...Stotty allready posted it...must have scrolled over it by accident,sorry.

 

[Philly]

This is what I felt has been lacking from many recent Ferraris... they are just too conservative. The other end of the spectrum would be a Zonda, which is just "look, guys, I don't really care what you think because I am doing it live." Which is a bit too much for many people.

This, the LF-A, blends modern, conservative design cues with aggressive elements, in my opinion, extremely well.

As for the white, I'm normally not a fan on cars, but it seems oddly classy on this. Like "I don't need a bold color to really stand out, or some dark color to look sexy and slimming."

There's no need for them to have gone more conservative. I just think they should have gone more for elegance than in-your-face aggression. It is a Lexus, after all. Aston Martins and Alfas and others can hold their own performance-wise, yet still have designs that look like rolling pieces of art and are very luxurious on the inside. They don't really show off their performance to the world. I think that's the direction Toyota should have gone with this one instead of creating a bit of a mishmash of go-fast looks and elegance.

Maybe I'll warm up to it though. We'll see. It's going to take a lot for me to get over those headlights and the hood shut line though. Those two pieces just simply ruin the front end for me. And I can't like the whole car if the front looks all wonky.

I'd like to see the car in a dark red or blue, or maybe even silver. That might help the look of the car considerably.

 

[exigeracer]

all of it is just more elegant than the GT-R

oddly classy

Elegance and class, this car has little.

 

[J-PaP]

The rear is great. No complaints there. The front is just odd though. Doesn't flow well for me. The front quarter panels and that bonnet gap are just not quite right. If those lines were smoothed out and given a more clean look the car would look better. It seems like the car just had cooling problems so they overdid and added more vents to solve it.

 

[infernoflame]

When I first saw this car. I thought the price would fall in around $150,000...
anyways, the rear end of the car resembles panda bear... does anyone see what I see?

 

[YSSMAN]

My point is, while I'm sure they will still sell every one if they limit production that heavily, is it too late for the car to make its mark?

Time will tell, and to that, I have no idea. My guess is that it wont break speed records in most places, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be an absolute blast to drive. The sound alone, I think, makes it an appealing car. It is arguably one of the best-sounding V10s I've heard. But, that doesn't make a car a legend. My guess is that it will get a lot of initial praise, maybe win a comparison or two, and then be left to sit. I just don't see how Toyota is going to bring this car along to do different things, what its going to spin off, where it will take the company.

RE: The Styling

I don't hate it, but I don't care much for it either. In reference to what Toronado and I have been talking about, the outside design kinda feels old. Like, in a "Circa 2005, been-there-done-that" sort of way. I still prefer the looks of the 2007 Prototype I saw in Chicago, but in terms of practicality, my guess is that it didn't allow for the performance levels they wanted out of the car.

Kinda looks like one of the Boos from Mario Brothers there.

 

[harrytuttle]

Despite what some have said, the design actually is cohesive. That doesn't mean it's good; it just means all the elements seem to belong together. The scalene triangles everywhere and the jutting cuts of the vents (and other addenda) all point to a very origami-inspired design. Origami from a blind-from-birth savant, to be sure, but the overlapping vents and curves were clearly drawn by a folded paper hobbyist.

Some things are slightly out of proportion: the headlights are too small, the taillight vents are too large, and the waistline is too high. Another major problem is that Toyota chose to use conventional cutlines for their body panels. This means that the front & rear bumpers and the sill extensions start at the same relative location as you would find on a Corolla. This, combined with the already unusual curves, creates jarring additional lines that are simply small gaps, not actual designed-in details. It also makes the car look like it received a bodykit from the factory on what would have been an LF-something-else.

I get what Toyota wanted with this and I see that some parts of it don't look that bad. However, white is clearly not the best color for this car. It makes the large vents look like holes rather than simply the negative space of what is truly the supports and curves (of the front lip, for example). Dark red, as was often shown in concept form, would have been the ideal choice. Perhaps the origami-infatuated designer had too much influence on the debut color as well.

As far as its performance, it certainly is behind the times. The specific output is high (116 HP/L), so it's clearly no slouch of an engine, but the torque is a bit on the thin side for a V10. The price makes it even worse. It costs more than it's competitors (Ferrari's 599GTB seems the ideal opponent), but offers the performance (60 MPH in 3.7 seconds) and technology (SMG-alike transmission) of their predecessors. This was one of the problems the SLR suffered. Carbon-fiber is also not much of an asset; composite materials simply raise the price too far. Truly lightweight cars lose weight through engineering efficiencies, not high-priced body panels.

It's not a terrible car. It's just not a modern one.