1st Exotic Lexus......New Lexus GT 450/500 (new scans/info)
03-03-06, 08:58 PM
#1
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1st Exotic Lexus......New Lexus GT 450/500 (new scans/info)
Originally Posted by linner420
The cover article in the new Road & Track magazine:
Quote:
Japan's First True Exotic
Although the show car pictured on our cover isn't a runner, there is a version that actually runs and goes really fast. According to reports in Japanese car magazines, the GT 450 (LF-A) lapped the recently redesigned Fuji International Speedway like a true super exotic. Visually, the test car that ran that day was slightly different from the show car you see on our cover. It had a metal roof rather than a glass one, BBS forged-alloy wheels and small cameras mounted in the side mirrors. This undoubtedly means the Lexus coupe is not yet in its final state; there are a few more changes to come, most likely to the front and rear ends.
Mechanically, we know the future Lexus 2-seater will be powered by a 500-bhp V-10. Whether the displacement will be 4.5 liters or 5.0 liters remains to be seen (the engine displacement will likely decide if Lexus will call the car GT 450 or GT 500). A display-only model of the engine revealed that the cylinder banks are angled at 72 degrees. It's also the first dry-sump engine in Toyota's history. Redline is said to be above 9000 rpm, so we're talking about an engine that puts out power like a Formula 1 car. It'll come mated to a transaxle with at least six speeds.
One of our stealthy ninjas actually heard the thing revving, and said the engine and exhaust sounded eerily similar to an F1 engine. "There was no sense of friction when the thing was revving up or down."
In fact, a Toyota board member was overheard saying that the car's official launch will coincide with the company's first win in F1; therefore, the final production model must be ready to be revealed when that historic event occurs. Within Toyota, that date is expected around the summer of 2007. Does Toyota have something up its sleeve at that time in F1? Or does the company want to steal some thunder from Nissan's GT-R launch?
Also, we've seen spy shots of a convertible version of the LF-A running at a remote test track, so expect an open-air GT 450 to make an appearance soon after the coupe. Price of the Toyota super GT is expected to fall somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000.
Quote:
Japan's First True Exotic
Although the show car pictured on our cover isn't a runner, there is a version that actually runs and goes really fast. According to reports in Japanese car magazines, the GT 450 (LF-A) lapped the recently redesigned Fuji International Speedway like a true super exotic. Visually, the test car that ran that day was slightly different from the show car you see on our cover. It had a metal roof rather than a glass one, BBS forged-alloy wheels and small cameras mounted in the side mirrors. This undoubtedly means the Lexus coupe is not yet in its final state; there are a few more changes to come, most likely to the front and rear ends.
Mechanically, we know the future Lexus 2-seater will be powered by a 500-bhp V-10. Whether the displacement will be 4.5 liters or 5.0 liters remains to be seen (the engine displacement will likely decide if Lexus will call the car GT 450 or GT 500). A display-only model of the engine revealed that the cylinder banks are angled at 72 degrees. It's also the first dry-sump engine in Toyota's history. Redline is said to be above 9000 rpm, so we're talking about an engine that puts out power like a Formula 1 car. It'll come mated to a transaxle with at least six speeds.
One of our stealthy ninjas actually heard the thing revving, and said the engine and exhaust sounded eerily similar to an F1 engine. "There was no sense of friction when the thing was revving up or down."
In fact, a Toyota board member was overheard saying that the car's official launch will coincide with the company's first win in F1; therefore, the final production model must be ready to be revealed when that historic event occurs. Within Toyota, that date is expected around the summer of 2007. Does Toyota have something up its sleeve at that time in F1? Or does the company want to steal some thunder from Nissan's GT-R launch?
Also, we've seen spy shots of a convertible version of the LF-A running at a remote test track, so expect an open-air GT 450 to make an appearance soon after the coupe. Price of the Toyota super GT is expected to fall somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000.
03-03-06, 09:00 PM
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03-03-06, 11:08 PM
#6
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While I don't know about any sort of Toyota Supra or sports car under the Toyota label, one thing is for sure:
A production version of the LF-A is DEFINITELY coming!
Lets look at what we have so far:
The LF-A concept itself; as we know, all of Lexus's concepts so far have either become production vehicles, or are inspirational for upcoming Lexus vehicles. Lexus does not build concepts just for fun.
A camoed car with LF-A dimensions, and one that matches the LF-A's body lines was caught some time ago being extensively tested at the Nurburgring. Now, according to Road and Track, a test car has also been seen lapping Fuji Speedway.
The engine sound: Road and Track's sources say when revving, it sounds like an F1 engine, which is consistent with the Nurburgring spy videos. It's also consistent with the LF-A video that was up on Lexus Japan's website for the Tokyo Auto Show a few months ago. In the video, you could hear the LF-A engine revving, and it sounded very much like a V10, or Formula 1 engine.
And the biggest indication the car is coming: a display-only model of the LF-A's "concept V10" that has been at several autoshows now. It's laughable that Toyota would display the engine just for concept purpose without any intention to build it.
This is such an exciting time, I can't wait for the production version to come out! The day that happens will surely send shockwaves and will cause a lot of surprise in the industry. If the release coincides with a win for Toyota in F1, that would be marketing genius, as the production LF-A and F1 win would together be the ultimate justification for all the investment Toyota has been putting into F1.
A production version of the LF-A is DEFINITELY coming!
Lets look at what we have so far:
The LF-A concept itself; as we know, all of Lexus's concepts so far have either become production vehicles, or are inspirational for upcoming Lexus vehicles. Lexus does not build concepts just for fun.
A camoed car with LF-A dimensions, and one that matches the LF-A's body lines was caught some time ago being extensively tested at the Nurburgring. Now, according to Road and Track, a test car has also been seen lapping Fuji Speedway.
The engine sound: Road and Track's sources say when revving, it sounds like an F1 engine, which is consistent with the Nurburgring spy videos. It's also consistent with the LF-A video that was up on Lexus Japan's website for the Tokyo Auto Show a few months ago. In the video, you could hear the LF-A engine revving, and it sounded very much like a V10, or Formula 1 engine.
And the biggest indication the car is coming: a display-only model of the LF-A's "concept V10" that has been at several autoshows now. It's laughable that Toyota would display the engine just for concept purpose without any intention to build it.
This is such an exciting time, I can't wait for the production version to come out! The day that happens will surely send shockwaves and will cause a lot of surprise in the industry. If the release coincides with a win for Toyota in F1, that would be marketing genius, as the production LF-A and F1 win would together be the ultimate justification for all the investment Toyota has been putting into F1.
03-03-06, 11:26 PM
#7
Speaks French in Russian
Redline is said to be above 9000 rpm, so we're talking about an engine that puts out power like a Formula 1 car. It'll come mated to a transaxle with at least six speeds.
One of our stealthy ninjas actually heard the thing revving, and said the engine and exhaust sounded eerily similar to an F1 engine. "There was no sense of friction when the thing was revving up or down."
One of our stealthy ninjas actually heard the thing revving, and said the engine and exhaust sounded eerily similar to an F1 engine. "There was no sense of friction when the thing was revving up or down."
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03-04-06, 12:02 AM
#8
Lexus GT450/500 compared to BMW M6, and Aston Martin DB9! Lexus kicks some *** and steal sales from BMW and Aston Martin when Lexus GT450/500 hit on showroom! Very sexy GT car!
03-04-06, 08:18 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
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Specs look great but still not sold on the looks. It's no Aston Martin, but the final showroom result could well be quite different.
