Lexus LF-A: The Long and Winding Road

[Zenith]

Is it just me or does Famine have a secret dissatisfaction with the Space Shuttle?

 

[Famine]

Irrelevant, not arguing.

Worthwhile post then 👍

Is it just me or does Famine have a secret dissatisfaction with the Space Shuttle?

I love the shuttle. I even flew over to Florida just to watch Discovery's last launch.

 

[homeforsummer]

The LF-A is a funny one for me. I have absolutely no interest in the car whatsoever - it just seems curiously emotionless, and I've never got used to the looks which still seem quite ugly to me.

It's clearly an impressive car but it's as if Lexus plugged a bunch of numbers into a computer and out popped a supercar.

Just like you saying I claimed something which I never stated, the space shuttle issue. A vague comment is all it is. The fact that the LFA is carbon fiber, and it's used on the Shuttle, and is apart of it's construction, means the shuttle is made of it, even if in part.

I love how you keep treading this ground. Saying the space shuttle is "made of" carbon fibre just because it uses it in its construction is like saying the LF-A is "made of" leather because that's what they use to trim the seats. Or that I'm made of keratin because my hair and nails contains it.

However many times you repeat that the shuttle is "made of" carbon fibre because bits of it are, it doesn't make your statement any more accurate.

 

[Timppaq]

Comparison ..sync the vids pausing suitably 👍

 

[Owen.C93]

That was pretty incredible, the gear changes and braking points matched up perfectly for quite a while in the middle. I think GT5 version has a bit too much straight line.

 

[Bram Turismo]

It's clearly an impressive car but it's as if Lexus plugged a bunch of numbers into a computer and out popped a supercar.

You must be confusing the LF-A with the Nissan GTR...

Listening to the LF-A's engine tells enough how much soul Toyota's people put into that thing.

 

[Tornado]

This much?

?

 

[McLaren]

You must be confusing the LF-A with the Nissan GTR...

Listening to the LF-A's engine tells enough how much soul Toyota's people put into that thing.

Enough that they had to hire someone else to do it?

 

[eSZee]

You must be confusing the LF-A with the Nissan GTR...

Listening to the LF-A's engine tells enough how much soul Toyota's people put into that thing.

ummmm

Enough that they had to hire someone else to do it?

yeah
Yamaha sure knows how to make shmexy engines.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Enough that they had to hire someone else to do it?

They didn't, Yamaha co-developed it.

 

[Tesla]

They didn't, Yamaha co-developed it.

That still doesn't answer how much work Toyota actually put into it. For all we know, Toyota could've just checked on it every now and again to see the progress it was making, and offering feedback, and because they have done that they could say that they co-developed it.

 

[McLaren]

They didn't, Yamaha co-developed it.

The development behind the engine was, not the sound.

http://www.yamaha.com/news_release/2009/20091021.html

To perform this acoustic design, we viewed the engine as the generator of sound and the automobile as a medium for conveying sounds from one place to another. We then came up with an idea for how to achieve a smooth interaction between drivers and vehicles, and it was adopted.

Yamaha and Yamaha Motor proposed equipping the automobile with a composite sound conveyance device (note 3). This device maintains balance in the volume and frequencies of sound from the engine while effectively guiding sound radiated by the surge tank into the vehicle’s interior. Using this method directly passes on sound from the air intake while holding the volume of engine sound to a comfortable level. Furthermore, the driver can enjoy sound with a spatial quality that is an integral part of the vehicle.

There is not a single mention of Toyota's involvement in producing the sound behind the LF-A.

 

[Bram Turismo]

That still doesn't answer how much work Toyota actually put into it. For all we know, Toyota could've just checked on it every now and again to see the progress it was making, and offering feedback, and because they have done that they could say that they co-developed it.

And that still doesn't prove there is no soul put into the LF-A.

Do you think an engineer who spends countless hours trying to solve a problem and come forth with an innovative solution lacks passion for what he does? You don't need to be an italian to know the meaning of passion.

 

[Kent]

I still dont believe the no soul argument... The sound, speed, and appearance are enough for me. Thats all aside from the detail of the engineering, the beauty of the interior, and the innovation/refinement of the interface.
The LFA is stunning and acts as a proper alternative to the 599.

No soul in this cars would mean nothing Ive driven has a soul, from the '87 325 to the '11 sti, nothing can have soul if the LFA is soulless (I dont even think the supercomputer GTR could have a soul if this is soulless).

I just hope its anti-toyota sentiment driving this and not clarkson fandom!

 

[Timppaq]

new comparison (still not perfect):

Drove this to compare to the real one:



real:



Stock car, oil changed & fully broken in (Sport Hards). ABS=0, tried to keep it as clean as possible. Didn't have full throttle on the long straight as I didn't want to overshoot the speed the real car did on it's 7'14.. (It seems I still got a little too much speed there, my bad)

Did one mistake and almost overshoot one corner, you might notice it. Stupid of me, I didnt watch the real lap close enough and see that the time is cut of a bit earlier than in GT. Still, I don't think I could do much better with these tires. If I'd want to do more exact replica of the lap, I'd need more sticky tyres.. with sport hards you need to push the car a little too much for the time to be comparable (so the look as far as grip goes doesn't match imo).

btw, don't mean to spam this thread.. just thought it's at least little relevant

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Here's yet another video.

*click*

 

[RocZX]

LFA II Rumored

Based on that car’s success and Toyota’s newfound performance spirit under the leadership of CEO Akio Toyoda, Lexus is already preparing a successor that will be vastly more impressive in terms of performance. It will also be vastly more expensive.

Our well-connected source was informed by a senior Toyota executive who prefers to remain anonymous that plans for an LFA II are currently in the works. The new supercar has been described as twice the car, with a significantly higher performance level. To match that new performance, pricing will climb steeply, into the range of $800,000 to one million dollars.

Like the LFA it will be an exclusive product, but even more so than the original, with plans to produce just 100 units.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/lexus-lfa-ii-rumors-twice-the-car-twice-the-price.html

 

[sumbrownkid]

I have a better idea.

Make the LF-A their own brand, so they can avoid the pompous oh it's a Lexus thing. Make that ultra high end fetish model, while at the same time, take some of the the tech that made LF-A an engineers wet dream, downsize it, take the GT86 platform (I doubt Toyota and Subaru invested time and money just to use that platform for one car) change the dimensions a bit, and plop in the "mini" LFA in there.

Try to stick around $100,000 mark.

I had way too much coffee.

 

[Tornado]

Million dollar Lexus?


Yeah. I don't think they can swing that.

 

[RocZX]

I have a better idea.

Make the LF-A their own brand, so they can avoid the pompous oh it's a Lexus thing. Make that ultra high end fetish model, while at the same time, take some of the the tech that made LF-A an engineers wet dream, downsize it, take the GT86 platform (I doubt Toyota and Subaru invested time and money just to use that platform for one car) change the dimensions a bit, and plop in the "mini" LFA in there.

There was a rumor that they were going to do that and make it the next Supra.

 

[McLaren]

I have a better idea.

Make the LF-A their own brand, so they can avoid the pompous oh it's a Lexus thing. Make that ultra high end fetish model, while at the same time, take some of the the tech that made LF-A an engineers wet dream, downsize it, take the GT86 platform (I doubt Toyota and Subaru invested time and money just to use that platform for one car) change the dimensions a bit, and plop in the "mini" LFA in there.

Try to stick around $100,000 mark.

I had way too much coffee.

The issue is what marque has a better reputation for selling cars like this though.

No one walks in a Toyota dealership expecting to plop down even $60,000 (unless you're after a $78,000 Land Cruiser; I can't figure out how they manage to sell that since the next car below it is $41,000), let alone $100,000.

Lexus however, sells at least 5 cars over the $60,000 line & then you have 2-3 that won't take long to reach that price tag in options alone. A $100,000 Toyota is just a tough sale because only the die hard will buy it & it's too far out of reach for the enthusiasts. Cadillac went through this problem years ago with the XLR/V & it was a flop in sales because no one was willing to put down $70-100,000 on a Cadillac when during the same time, that money could get you into a BMW 6-Series. And let's be honest. During that time, BMW absolutely crushed Cadillac in luxury, performance, & build quality.

Hell, I was shocked when the XLR-V MSRP was announced because it retailed for the same price as a M6.

 

[sumbrownkid]

The branding is the issue.

Lexus was all about luxury without breaking bank. Now they rival the Europeans in options and anal attention to detail.

But trying to push a car with a price tag north of $500000 with a Lexus badge won't go without snickers from the European fanboy club.

Lexus must have serious buyers lined up when they made the announcement.

 

[McLaren]

The branding is the issue.

Lexus was all about luxury without breaking bank. Now they rival the Europeans in options and anal attention to detail.

But trying to push a car with a price tag north of $500000 with a Lexus badge won't go without snickers from the European fanboy club.

Lexus must have serious buyers lined up when they made the announcement.

Of course, but snickers from the Europeans are better than downright laughter if this had been released the other way.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Huh!? Wut!? An even-more-insane-than-LFA-Nurburgring-Edition is in the works!?

Lexus LFA AD-A

Here's the article from Motor Authority.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I approve this. 👍

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ What makes this car even more juicy as it shows on the pics, it might be a street-legal track car (anywhere except in the US, maybe).

 

[Jay]

Wonder if this is some sort of "cup" version, reason I say is because the exhaust relocation Ferrari did with the 430 Scuderia to avoid damaged/blocked exhausts during light contact. Seems a bit too exotic for that though.

 

[Exorcet]

Million dollar Lexus?


Yeah. I don't think they can swing that.

I love the LF-A. Amazing car considering it's a Toyota. I say they should go for it. I wouldn't want them to end up like Chrysler, not making the 412. All the better if Lexus over comes the ridiculous branding issue which plagues the car world.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Lexus had absolutely no issue selling all of the original LF-As even at the absurd price. What makes you think they can't do it again? The car was fantastic after all...

 

[Bram Turismo]

I never even understood Richard Hammond's point of it "Being a Lexus" is a bad thing. An LF-A is an LF-A, and its performance won't change whether it's a Lexus or a Ferrari.

Did Top Gear ever re-run the car in dry conditions? A bit of a shame we never got to see how it performed compared to the other cars that were on the board.