TF109B

Thank you. It's not as if the LFA is a tuner car, that it is not. It's a supercar, and an exotic. These parts don't even look the same as the Nurb. edition. I mean, you can clearly see the difference in the size of the canards on the front bumper. I'm betting the paint is covering carbon fiber pieces on the roof the boot and the hood. But the thing is, I thought the skin or body panels were already carbon fiber? Maybe it's a different type? Dry carbon? I think Dry carbon is lighter weight, but not as strong? I'm not too sure, but i think the paint could be covering things that aren't yet finalized. That's my take on it. Also, did anyone notice the winglets AREN'T screwed on? As in, they aren't 'cheap' looking anymore like people have been complaining about.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I was under the impression dry carbon was stronger and lighter but more labor intensive and also lacks a good looking pattern.

GFerg

Just a reminder of what the official ring edition looks like. Its quite clear that they are testing parts, however I'm still in love with the black pillars and roof. I hope they consider that as a color option as well. I'm thinking all white with the black top would look killer.

The blue color is very nice as well. I and I am assuming others have suspected that the blue car was probably one of the first official pre production cars as that car was used in the Lexus teaser pics last year.

MR_F1

How about some smaller mirrors for the ring edition? (and yes, I know the ones that are there serve an aerodynamic function)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

by AdrianXT. RIP......

Very very sad news. Makes me wonder if there was something wrong with the safety systems in this particular LFA.

The structure of both cars look OK, doesn't look like this was a particularly fast impact? The BMW drivers initially survived.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/b...-germany-ring/

EDIT: On-scene video: [url]http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/regionales_artikel,-BoosNuerburgring-Chef-Testingenieur-stirbt-bei-Unfall-mit-S

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

^^^ The LFA driver Hiromu Naruse was 67 years old, maybe thats why he did not survive the crash. RIP

flipside909

Here is my ride with Naruse-san back in October in Miami in the LFA. I got a chance to meet him and "TEAM LFA" during the long lead press event for the LFA. He has had a long history with Toyota and the development of Lexus and Toyota products. He will be sorely missed.

VIDEO: 10-21-09 LFA Press Preview - Flipside909 Exclusive - HIROMU NARUSE

Here are some pics of Naruse-san in Miami...


Here he is taking a break in between hotlaps:




This is a pic of me, Naruse-san, Scott Pruett and my good friend and co-hort Joaquin (my.IS Editor) in front of the European loaned White LFA.



R.I.P. Hiromu Naruse

S2000toIS350

1 The tragic LFA accident resulted in loss of lives

2 The facts are yet to be known

3 I am a long standing LFA supporter
and am starting the thread to see how
folks see the program impacted from
the tragedy

The context here is Toyota has been coming
off the accelerator recalls with the associated
safety/corporate perception challenges

The LFA is a halo car

Now toyota has to manage issues like;
is the car safe in a crash, is there a design
issue that led to the crash and will the
fact that the crash happened regardless
of reason lead to current customers
with deposits in to cancelled their orders

I would expect Toyota will do a significant
investigation, make some revisions to
the car and delay the release

Regarding the spectrum of potential outcomes, dO you folks think the schedule will be unchanged or that the whole program is
at risk

mikez

I think if they delay it with tweaks it will look bad since there are so much press focused on this, if they blame it on driver error and unsafe speeds then it might slide.

I remember a while back Porsche lost one of their top test drivers in their new 911 turbo. Didn't impact them one bit.

MR_F1

Depends on whether it was a mechanical failure or if Naruse possible had a medical complication that caused the crash.

IS-SV

Too early to say. But being a test driver at this level is a dangerous profession.

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

WoW this is VERY sad news!!!!!


Joe Z

LexFather

RIP.....very sad.....

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't assume anything about the crash yet. We have no idea what happened, I'm sure Toyota is investigating heavily.

Rest in peace Naruse, your legacy will live on through the enthusiasts.

05RollaXRS

Glowing review of the LFA.

A few things to observe:

- Notice the amazing throttle response as the driver feels the rapid jerks while feathering the throttle over 70+ mph. Chris Harris had already called it the best throttle response he has ever felt next to Porsche Carrera GT.

- Even shifting well below 9000 rpm, went sideways in 2nd gear with full traction control off.

- He never really revs it all the way up to 9000 - 9500 rpm in the entire video. Maximum 7500 - 8000 rpm from the sound of the car.

- The cool spoiler deploying in the background.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kiKt...ext=1&index=33


Chris Harris of Evo magazine review:

(The coolest analogy I have ever heard regarding 'X car being 3 times the car that 'Y' is because it costs 3 times more). One thing to notice is that LF-A actually turned in almost the same time in the complete wet as the Ferrari 599 GTB did in the complete dry on Top Gear by The Stig so yes LFA is much faster than the $350,000 Ferrari 599 GTB around a race track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeNJwS3coLk