Lexus LF-A: The Long and Winding Road

[GT Pro]

It's a good thing they haven't dulled it down much to this point, besides the interior, which they seem to do with every decent sports car these days. This would particularly apply to the centered tri-layout exhaust tips; they and the mesh air extractors are what make the rear end. Nonetheless, the V10 backtrack is also a good idea, though what I'm confused about is that they had the hybrid idea working and then dropped it and have now seemed to pick it up again; it seems either a hybrid V10 or V8. Though I accept the 'hybrid' idea, it's too much of a compromise when developing hi-po engines, the extra weight and expense is not sufficient in practical means.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think its because Toyota had apparently green-lighted the FT-HS (or whatever its called), basically the Supra Hybrid concept.

 

[McLaren]

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.

Well, with a price tag that's supposed to be around $105,000-$115,000 (According to Park Place who will begin orders in the Fall), it should be a bit more common than the V8 Vantage.

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

From what I've heard, it'll be very similar, but will drop a bit of the "dramatic" lines the concept has, such as the intake behind the driver window.

You can see on the Mule how the design arch, has been moved to meet the roof line instead of making a U-shape back towards the driver.

 

[a6m5]

From what I've heard, it'll be very similar, but will drop a bit of the "dramatic" lines the concept has, such as the intake behind the driver window.

That's good to hear. Deletion of that intake, or at least the reduction of the size of it, plus little more traditional headlamp assembly would be really nice.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, I think this video tells us its a V10...

 

[McLaren]

Maybe a V10, but the scream at high rpms reminded me of a V8 as I've never heard a V10 that high-pitched. To me, V10s usually sound like a grunt, and much more masculine than that.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I thought it very much sounded like a turbocharged V6.

About the V10; You´re thinking about the Viper when you say grunt, aren´t you? If I say Lamborghini Gallardo, what would be your description of that?

 

[Omnis]

Maybe a V10, but the scream at high rpms reminded me of a V8 as I've never heard a V10 that high-pitched. To me, V10s usually sound like a grunt, and much more masculine than that.

Don't make me post formula 1 videos.

 

[YSSMAN]

I was hearing a Formula 1 soundtrack myself, thusly one would assume V10 given the previous layout of the cars pre-2006. Its that high-pitched scream that rings in your ear...

That being said, I understand the "grunt" noise you're talking about. That would obviously come from cars such as the Dodge Viper, which has always had a bit of a HEMI crossed with a John Deere sound to it...

Still, you can't completely count-out a V8 version of the car for Toyota (given whats going in the IS-F, whats running in the Tundra, etc), but the V10 seems more likely given that Toyota wants to celebrate their winless F1 career....

 

[YSSMAN]

...Let the flames begin here as well...

A Lexus LF-A mule has unofficially recorded a lap time on the Nordschleife of 7 minutes, 24 seconds. This is not in dispute. What is in dispute is how many seconds faster the LF-A's lap time is than that of the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, the previous "King of the 'Ring" record holder. Wikipedia notes that the fastest 911 GT2 driven around the Ring posted a lap time of 7 minutes, 32 seconds and was driven by Walter Röhrl, Porsche's company test driver and accomplished WRC driver and road racing pilot. Porsche was so proud of the feat that it produced a snazzy video of the run that you can watch here. AutoExpress, however, which reported on the LF-A's remarkable lap time, claims that the fastest 911 GT2 lap time on the Nurburgring is 7 minutes, 25 seconds, but we could find no evidence on the web of a stock 911 GT2 ever posting a time that fast. Also note that a handful of other cars have posted lap times, but all are either tuner cars or limited production boutique cars like the Pagani Zonda F.

Nevertheless, the Lexus LF-A's time is remarkable and puts in a class normally populated by purpose-built tuner cars. Its 4.8L V10 churns out a reported 552bhp while slapping the needle against a 9,000 rpm redline. A 210 mph top speed is said to be the car's upper bound, which makes us shake our heads. This is, after all, the brand that brought us the sarcophagus of a car that is the LS sedan. The production LF-A should be able to repeat the performance, but we'll have to wait a while longer while the Lexus supercar finishes baking in the oven. In the meantime, for Pete's sake, someone ship a Corvette ZR1 to Germany!

[Source: AutoExpress]

Thats fast. Really fast. One does wonder once again how close that prototype is to the production version. That is, if Toyota every gets around to building it...

 

[UnoMOTO]

One please...let me get my checkbook!

 

[Jim Prower]

I say Toyota is LYING!!!!!

Okay, I don't really, but I've got a feeling someone might say that, so I'm going to take care of it for them. Oh, yes, they're using semi-racing tires, not telling you that they're not going to take everything to production, and it'll never beat the 911 turbo, Audi is best, blah-de-blah-blah-blah.

There, it's been said already, now be nice about it. Let's not take it there, Okay?

 

[Bram Turismo]

I say Toyota is LYING!!!!!

Okay, I don't really, but I've got a feeling someone might say that, so I'm going to take care of it for them. Oh, yes, they're using semi-racing tires, not telling you that they're not going to take everything to production, and it'll never beat the 911 turbo, Audi is best, blah-de-blah-blah-blah.

There, it's been said already, now be nice about it. Let's not take it there, Okay?

What?


Anyway, that really is fast but just as YSSMAN, I'm wondering how much they'll take with them into the production model...If the production model would turn out to be able to deliver the same times as the one that ran that 7'24, then I must say I'm impressed...

 

[Div is back]

Where's forza2.0 ?

That exhaust note is wicked.

 

[McLaren]

Bull...****. You expect me to believe Toyota actually built a car that can beat the Carrera GT (7:28) and the Zonda F (7:27.82)?
Are any of you realizing that Toyota is claiming they possibly will have the Fastest Production Car on the Nordschleife?

I'll wait for SportAuto, no matter how much I love this car because it sounds like the Japanese are going to be starting a trend here.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Bull...****. You expect me to believe Toyota actually built a car that can beat the Carrera GT (7:28) and the Zonda F (7:27.82)?
Are any of you realizing that Toyota is claiming they possibly will have the Fastest Production Car on the Nordschleife?

I'll wait for SportAuto, no matter how much I love this car because it sounds like the Japanese are going to be starting a trend here.

Is Toyota even claiming anything to begin with?

Edit: The way I see it, a not-so-reliable publication is "claiming" that a Toyota prototype did a 7'24. I dont think Toyota has done anything wrong (or anything at all!), unless you have another article.

 

[Jim Prower]

What?

I'm just trying to say to keep it clean, guys. sorry if the sarcasm confused you.

@ McLaren: Remember, buddy, keep it clean. If this is going to keep up, we might as well never post anything about Nurburgring times.

 

[McLaren]

Is Toyota even claiming anything to begin with?

Edit: The way I see it, a not-so-reliable publication is "claiming" that a Toyota prototype did a 7'24. I dont think Toyota has done anything wrong (or anything at all!), unless you have another article.

Somebody is, and if it's not Toyota, I apologize. However, I don't believe it for a second. At least with the GT-R's supposed 7:38 time, it was somewhat believable if Porsche could do it with a 415Bhp GT3.

But you honestly expect me to believe this car could possibly be nearly 4 seconds faster than the Zonda F & 5 seconds faster than the Carrera GT?
I can't believe that. But at least it states unofficial.

Anyways, I'm not going to spend 70+pages on my opinion. Again, I'll wait until more news comes out or an actual review. And please do not give me any, "You're saying that because it's a Japanese car". I honestly think this is coolest sports car coming out of Japan right now.

 

[ND4SPD]

Maybe a V10, but the scream at high rpms reminded me of a V8 as I've never heard a V10 that high-pitched.

Umm Carrera GT?

 

[McLaren]

Umm Carrera GT?

A little. With straight pipes, it sounds a lot like the LF-A. Of course, after hearing it again after these months, I agree it sounds a lot like a V10.

EDIT* You know, I take back what I said earlier except for the fact that I still don't believe the car will beating both the Zonda & Carrera in stock form. This is a mule, and nothing more, so in reality, Porsche is STILL the king (behind Pagani).

 

[Bram Turismo]

I say Toyota is LYING!!!!!

Okay, I don't really, but I've got a feeling someone might say that, so I'm going to take care of it for them. Oh, yes, they're using semi-racing tires, not telling you that they're not going to take everything to production, and it'll never beat the 911 turbo, Audi is best, blah-de-blah-blah-blah.

There, it's been said already, now be nice about it. Let's not take it there, Okay?

Aah, now I see. Thanks for clearing that up 👍

EDIT* You know, I take back what I said earlier except for the fact that I still don't believe the car will beating both the Zonda & Carrera in stock form. This is a mule, and nothing more, so in reality, Porsche is STILL the king (behind Pagani).

I both agree and disagree. I agree we should hold our breath untill more articles flow in or more information about the production model come in. But on the other side, why couldn't it drive that time? I mean, how much info have we really got on this car? We only know it's powered by a lovely sounding V10, and 550 bhp is not nothing . It's got some F1 technology in there, or so I read...I'm not into the Nurburgring at all so I don't know what kind of potential each car has but the idea the LF-A could embarasses the new GT-R doesn't surprise me...

 

[SagarisGTB]

Considering the LF-A will likely cost between 2-3 times more, be more powerful and (considering Toyota's initial goals for the project) be lighter than a GT-R, it is very probable it will be quicker. However, Ive been getting the impression that this car was supposed to be a high-performance GT and not an all-out supercar. Makes anything under 7'30 seem improbable for the production version, however thats just going on what we know so far. We are all quite a bit in the dark on this car, so all norschleife lap time predictions are broad speculation and not more.

 

[McLaren]

I both agree and disagree. I agree we should hold our breath untill more articles flow in or more information about the production model come in. But on the other side, why couldn't it drive that time? I mean, how much info have we really got on this car? We only know it's powered by a lovely sounding V10, and 550 bhp is not nothing . It's got some F1 technology in there, or so I read...I'm not into the Nurburgring at all so I don't know what kind of potential each car has but the idea the LF-A could embarasses the new GT-R doesn't surprise me...

You're talking about a car with no history that looks like a grand tourer expecting to become the fastest production car on the 'Ring? I simply can't see it, esp. not at 4 seconds over the current leader.

If it can accomplish it in production form, I'll be extremely impressed. But for now, it doesn't seem very likely, esp. since this current time is nothing more than a mule's.

 

[Joey D]

Considering the LF-A will likely cost between 2-3 times more, be more powerful and (considering Toyota's initial goals for the project) be lighter than a GT-R, it is very probable it will be quicker. .

I don't believe for a second it will be upwards of $210,000, $140,000 is even pushing it.

It's a quick time around the ring but it's a prototype and therefore not what the actually car will be. I'm still guessing it will be blisteringly quick though...even without the odd looking GT spoiler on the back.

 

[Race Idiot]

As for the LF-A, it is another "whoopdy-doo" for me. Lexus can say they are going to built a 400+ BHP sportscar and give it all of the capabilities the second-largest automaker in the world can, but it won't be fun to drive, and it won't be cheap either. All it does is give Lexus bragging rights against the other automakers, but dollar for dollar, pound for pound, it still won't top an SL or 911. Do what they want, but all they are going to be catering to is the die-hard Toyota and Lexus fans.

YES I HATE JAPAN I WISH THEY WERE ALL NUKED AND COULDNT EVER MAKE CARS THEN THEY WOULD STOP OPRESSING THE POOR AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS GOD BLESS THE CORVETTE AND GEORGE BUSH AND DONT FORGET 9/11

ALSO GOD I LOVE SUPERIOR GERMAN ENGINEERING UHNGGGGGGG UHHHHHHH OH OH OH UHNNNNNNNNNG

 

[Keef]

Ron Paul for 2008! You'd better get out and vote Brett!

I don't see why Toyota can't build a car that can beat a Carrera GT. I mean, the radiators are in the back. Only real race cars have that!

 

[Race Idiot]

Ron Paul for 2008! You'd better get out and vote Brett!

I don't see why Toyota can't build a car that can beat a Carrera GT. I mean, the radiators are in the back. Only real race cars have that!

It's gonna be heavy, auto only and expensive. It's probably gonna suck not that I care anyway I doubt i'll be able to afford one.

 

[Bram Turismo]

You're talking about a car with no history that looks like a grand tourer expecting to become the fastest production car on the 'Ring? I simply can't see it, esp. not at 4 seconds over the current leader.

If it can accomplish it in production form, I'll be extremely impressed. But for now, it doesn't seem very likely, esp. since this current time is nothing more than a mule's.

You must've missed my point

I never said the LF-A really is going to be as quick as this, but that doesn't mean we cannot believe it is able to beat other supercars out there 👍 It nearly sounds as though the new GT-R is the best sportscar ever to appear, this car has a wopping 100 horsepower more, and I dare to bet it's lighter as well, so why can't it be faster then a GT-R?

I am not playing fanboy on this car, but it's finally something big again from Toyota, and they prove with the LF-A they still got it, they only need to try more then building a Thundra...But some sound like they're immediatly attacking and bashing this car...

 

[Keef]

I think I'm going to like it more than I think I think I'm gonna like it. Kind of like the IS F. I like that. Now, if Top Gear would have driven it along side the AMG, M3, and RS4 the test would have been perfect.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I think I'm going to like it more than I think I think I'm gonna like it. Kind of like the IS F. I like that. Now, if Top Gear would have driven it along side the AMG, M3, and RS4 the test would have been perfect.

I think it would've lost...For looks, Lexus beats most of current cars, I mean, look at the new IS sedan, how sexy is that thing?! But the area the AMG's, the M3 and RS4 compete in is dominated by these 3 cars themselves. I think few other manufaturers will ever be able to beat what Audi, BMW and Merc have done with the RS-, M- and AMG- cars...