Lexus LF-A: The Long and Winding Road

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Yeah, because it's probably one of the best Japanese sports cars ever...

 

[GT Pro]

How much do MKIV Supra's sell for now?


Oh yea, $50,000.


Name one other car from the 1990's that's INCREASED in value over the years.

People didn't want them then, but they sure as hell want them now.

No doubt because it's potential has only been recently realised by many non-car enthusiasts and the rarity of a clean Supra, especially the RZ models.

But don't forget the Mazda FD RX-7, they have actually maintained their price better than the Supra as they still sell for around 35-55k for a clean example. Originally costing $73000 AUD in 1992, they rose to 89,505 AUD by 1997 but once they were retired in 2002, their used car's price came to a dead-stop.
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[MistaX]

I'm talking about USD prices, and here, the FD has held it, but they're much less than new. They're around $12,000 stock, up to $20,000 extremely built with the motor replaced atleast once.

If they don't have replacement engines.. well then you don't buy it.

Non-rotaries are worth more, from what I've seen. LS1 FD's are awesome.

 

[Pupik]

How much do MKIV Supra's sell for now?

Oh yea, $50,000...

People didn't want them then, but they sure as hell want them now.

Except that there's only a few hundred people with the money and willing to buy them. Besides, these "$50,000" examples aren't exactly found in a barn, neglected for 10 years with 4 flat tires and a half-coroded fuel tank. They're well-maintanied or examples with plenty of dough put into them to make them desirable.

Although, it is remarkable how much even a crap-condition Supra goes for these days. Book value ain't much, but it's the rare type of kind of car an individual will hunt around for and pay good money. Viva Americana!

 

[YSSMAN]

***UPDATE!***

Lexus has revealed a new version of its LF-A supercar concept. The concept was originally shown at the 2005 Detroit auto show, and has since been updated with a new exterior and interior. This latest iteration is expected to be very close to the production car, expected to arrive in late 2008 as a 2009 model.

The running gear of the LF-A is just as it was with the original, powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine. Its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allows for ideal weight distribution, according to the company. The horsepower, improved aerodynamics, and revised styling makes a top speed of 200 mph possible.

"The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest."

...Well, apparently Toyota and Lexus are getting serious about doing this car. Me? Well, I belive it all when I see it, but it looks as though the car could be produced by the end of the decade. One thing of note is the "F-Series" badges (see Lexus IS-F) on the side of the car, which would be making it the halo car of the "F-Series" line, similar to a car like the SLR or M6.

I'd still rather have a 911 Turbo or Z06, it may just be me, but I'm not likely to put my ducks in the Toyota/Lexus row any time soon...

 

[boombexus]

I love the interior, but hell, keeping white leather clean is gonna be a *****.

 

[Jim Prower]

*Whiny voice* Now, why does the Toyota have to be a hybriiiiiid?????

Also noted...the car is in that similar "Japanese/Calfornia-look" that the new Toyota/Acura concepts are in. Since it does tend to look like the futuristic cars in some anime...

can we call this the "Anime look?"

 

[a6m5]

I'd love to see its' face. It was OK, but I didn't like it that much on the original concept. Rest of the car..... just WOW. I see little bit of Supra and Aston Martin in the first pic. GORGEOUS! Those fan looking things are hiding in the shadows, so I'd like to see what they actually look like as well.

By judging from these two pics of exterior, I'm very impressed. 👍

 

[McLaren]

That airduct behind the passenger window is a bit strange, but me likey.

However, I have yet to see the truth on the engine. MT reports Toyota calling it a Twin-Turbo V8, but LLN a V10. Still, it'll have 500Hp.

Better, our Lexus dealer should be completely done with the new look by the time this comes out to grace its showroom. And you'll know I'll be there.

 

[harrytuttle]

The pigeon-killers behind the front window (which I suppose are for the rear-mounted radiators) make it look like they took a plastic model of a DB9 and melted it in the oven. Also, the front overhang looks about 6" too long for a front-mid-engined car. Not crazy about the 70's interior, either, but this is more of what people should expect and accept from a Japanese sports car design: nice proportions, nice stance, clean-flowing lines. Much better than the failed origami Supra design from last week.

 

[Azuremen]

Obviously no one has driven it, but you can make a rough assumption of what the car will be like when you take a look at the lineup at your local Lexus dealer. Cars like the IS and the GS are given all of the capabilities that Lexus can give them to be some seriously hardcore sports sedans, but then they manage to ruin it with TCS and ESP (among other nannies) that cannot be turned off and only allow the cars to be driven at 8/10s most of the time.

Actually, the aids on the IS's could be disabled with a moments works with the hand brake and foot brake. And the newer models have a button to turn it off last I checked. Toyota is figuring out the aids are not desired at all times.

About the Supra... big deal to me (Sarcasm). There is no real market for it, as the 2 seaters sports car is dying with the increase in roadsters and high performance sedans. Toyota needs a lightweight, cheapish roadster, not a V8 2 seater monster coupe.

 

[McLaren]

Actually, the aids on the IS's could be disabled with a moments works with the hand brake and foot brake. And the newer models have a button to turn it off last I checked. Toyota is figuring out the aids are not desired at all times.

About the Supra... big deal to me (Sarcasm). There is no real market for it, as the 2 seaters sports car is dying with the increase in roadsters and high performance sedans. Toyota needs a lightweight, cheapish roadster, not a V8 2 seater monster coupe.

I beg to differ. I think the 2 seater sports cars will actually grow, esp. here in America with the new Viper and Corvette on the rise. Not to mention this Lexus, but also the Caymen S, most likely new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, and the new BMW 335i and M3.

 

[YSSMAN]

...Don't forget about the Cadillac CTS coupe, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Pontiac GTO, Ford Mustang, Lincoln MKR (maybe?), etc...

Hell, even Lexus is saying that they will probably do a coupe version of the IS, which will presumably be sold in IS-F form as well...

 

[Jay]

I beg to differ. I think the 2 seater sports cars will actually grow, esp. here in America with the new Viper and Corvette on the rise. Not to mention this Lexus, but also the Caymen S, most likely new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, and the new BMW 335i and M3.

...Don't forget about the Cadillac CTS coupe, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Pontiac GTO, Ford Mustang, Lincoln MKR (maybe?), etc...

I thought Azuremen said 2 seater, many/most of them are more than seaters.

 

[YSSMAN]

Apparently McLaren's post threw me off with the whole BMW and Mercedes mentions... Oh well, point stands. Coupes are becoming more popular...

 

[daggoth]

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lexus-lf-a-concept/

here are some more pics.

 

[McLaren]

I thought Azuremen said 2 seater, many/most of them are more than seaters.

And most of those are 2 seaters because even if cars like the Camaro have a rear seat, it most likely probably won't be of much use for a full-grown man.

 

[Azuremen]

I meant dedicated two seaters. 2+2 are not true two seaters. Just clarifying that bit.

Coupes are coming back again I am noticing, which is nice. But the back seat in a coupe can be used.. hell I grew up riding around in the back seat of a 300ZX 2+2 and a Subaru SVX... so I know those types can have back seats that have purpose.

 

[YSSMAN]

A few more spy-shots have surfaced:

Lexus has hit the Nordschleife with its cleanest prototype yet for its LF-A supercar. LF-A prototypes first hit the 'Ring in 2005, and have seen a number of alterations over the last two years.

In that time, two concepts have also hit the auto show circuit, and while they were clearly related in overall shape, they differed drastically in their surface development. The 2005 concept was a rather simple wedge shape, while the 2007 iteration was more rounded, with more nuanced, almost fussy detailing.

The prototype's lower side vents and front air-intakes come quite close to the '07 concept, but the air scoops around the test car's C-pillar are more simplistic like the '05 concept. With its large mesh air extractors and triple exhaust tips, the prototype's rear-end design once again borrows from both cars, but ultimately goes its own way in the details. With the temporary, function-only tail-lights that are tacked on, it's clear that this prototype doesn't reveal the car's finished styling.

The headlights on the prototype still appear to be simple, angular shapes, not unlike those of modern Lamborghinis, but the '07 concept has strange lamps with a distinctive LED strip running down the front bumper. Whether elements of the latest design study will end up on the final production cars is still unknown.

Lexus is obviously approaching the LF-A with great care and extensive development–both mechanically, dynamically, and stylistically. At this point, it seems that Lexus designers are still fine-tuning the LF-A's shape.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

...Its looking like its coming together rather well, and I would suppose that is good. The LF-A and the GT-R are two cars that have been in development far too long (the Blue Devil included), and need to get here soon. I'm sick of waiting...

 

[Jim Prower]

But is it still a hybrid?

 

[Bram Turismo]

Even it is covered under pure black, it looks beautiful IMO, some nice rims on it as well 👍

Agreed with YSSMAN though, I can't wait as well...

 

[McLaren]

I've heard they also have decided to go back to the V10 now.

 

[Jim Prower]

oh, This is the V10 one...

It does look incredible.

 

[Kent]

I say take all the time in the world (especially since I'm not getting one!).
None the less, looks great and I'm looking forward to seeing one in real life. 👍

Nothing bad can come from them releasing the car after being well tested and developed... Release early and you could end up seeing just another reason to hate Toyota products. 👎

In appearance the car looks to me like a mix of the Amuse 2300 and the new Camaro. 👍

 

[Loon]

Oh man, thats a pretty damn fine car right there, not bad at all, I hope it makes it all the way to mass production.

 

[Dead_Poetic]

That is one sexy car. Its so perfectly shaped. So beautiful.

 

[a6m5]

The design looks really promising. Can't wait to see the production version!

 

[slidesquad#1]

Looks like a stretched out TVR. Awesome!

 

[YSSMAN]

The design looks really promising. Can't wait to see the production version!

Thats pretty much what the production model will look like, I assume...

 

[a6m5]

Thats pretty much what the production model will look like, I assume...

That's same as this one, right?

Which I thought were gorgeous, but the model being tested looks a lot different. Also, the concept had some crazy looking interior which I'm sure was far from the production version. I think the production versions going to look a lot closer to the version that's being tested in those pics.