TRDFantasy

I decided to make a separate thread on this even though a bit of this information was posted in the "Autobild tests LF-A" thread.

I read the October 2009 issue of Automobile mag, and here are the new tidbits from the mag regarding the LF-A (my own comments are added in blue):

- Akio Toyoda describes the car as a "lighthouse concept" designed to forge a long-overdue link with Toyota's F1 efforts and future Lexus/Toyota sports cars
- Turbos, V8 engines, 4WD, and a dual clutch tranny were things that were never considered for the LF A project
- LF A engineers claim that a variable-rate steering system would have been "counterproductive" on the car (the production car is said to have a fixed-rate steering system)
- steering response and feedback is very direct and precise, and turn-in response from the car is very sharp
- The engineers claim the car has no front or rear axle lift, that downforce at all speeds is always positive
- Automobile claims that the 4.8L V10 has direct injection
- One of the engineers claimed the curb weight as "under 3300 lbs"
- Automobile Mag, during their preview drive was able to hit 150 mph on one of the straights with no problem
- the car has a "magnetic" sense of road-holding and handling at all speeds and situations
- throttle response is extremely precise and sharp, modulating the engine is very easy
- the engine has lots of low-end torque that makes the car fly out of corners, and also makes it very easy to stay in one gear, or to change gears
- gearing on the car is quite tall (likely in order to reach a super high top speed)
- A quote from one of the top engineers "The LF-A is a very quick car, yet it is totally accessible, even if you're not a seasoned pro"
- Automobile Mag was extremely impressed by the car, saying it is very quick, handling is tremendous, yet it is quite easy to drive, and they were nowhere close to even pushing the car's limits
- All journalists at the Goodwood preview event were limited to 6 laps, but Automobile said only 1-2 laps were actually flat-out in the car. (Impressive how unanimous the media praise for the car has been from the Goodwood preview event, even though journalists were limited to 1-2 laps of flat-out running, and given the fact the engine was detuned to 8000 RPM)

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There was a bit more info in the Automobile Mag article, but I did not post it because it is not new, and also because it sounds out-of-date. Things such as a 200 mph top speed, and 50/50 weight distribution, all of which do not match the most current rumors and insider info.

The description of the car from Akio Toyoda is very interesting. It essentially confirms old rumors and guesses that the car was made in honor of Toyota's F1 participation, and also to act as a halo product for Toyota in general as well as all future Toyota and Lexus sports cars.

NovaIS350

Looks like there are some new shots


http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...011-lexus-lf-a

TRDFantasy

An additional quote from the article:

- "The beautifully responsive throttle helps to modulate the line by dialing in traces of oversteer and hints of understeer in random succession."