Lexus LFR/LFA II starts public road testing
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: California
I think Akio Toyoda really hates Lexus for some reason.
They have done everything in their power to ruin the “F” brand before it can be established into something. Even the IS500 Fsport was Lexus USA idea. We are lucky the LC500 and RCF still even exist as they have almost zero support from Toyota parent company and it’s evident in how stale the product is.
I think Akio wants the Toyota GR brand to be well known and it would not surprise me that this new supercar would wear that moniker.
They have done everything in their power to ruin the “F” brand before it can be established into something. Even the IS500 Fsport was Lexus USA idea. We are lucky the LC500 and RCF still even exist as they have almost zero support from Toyota parent company and it’s evident in how stale the product is.
I think Akio wants the Toyota GR brand to be well known and it would not surprise me that this new supercar would wear that moniker.
- Lexus GS cancelled, revived as Toyota Mirai
- Lexus LF1 cancelled during development
- Lexus LCF/LSF cancelled during development
- New gen IS canned for an extended facelift in 2021
- LBX received Akio's codename "Morizo" instead of F
- Crown luxury brand expansion
- Century brand expansion
Meanwhile.. what does Lexus get? No specialized product other than the GX550
And now likely the LFR launching as a Toyota/GR product instead (TBD still ofc)
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 936
This is a popular idea and I think it's true, that Akio wants to uphold his family name hence Toyota brand getting all of the attention. Other than the few Lexus USA decision like the GX and IS500 let's look at what's happened:
- Lexus GS cancelled, revived as Toyota Mirai
- Lexus LF1 cancelled during development
- Lexus LCF/LSF cancelled during development
- New gen IS canned for an extended facelift in 2021
- LBX received Akio's codename "Morizo" instead of F
- Crown luxury brand expansion
- Century brand expansion
Meanwhile.. what does Lexus get? No specialized product other than the GX550
And now likely the LFR launching as a Toyota/GR product instead (TBD still ofc)
- Lexus GS cancelled, revived as Toyota Mirai
- Lexus LF1 cancelled during development
- Lexus LCF/LSF cancelled during development
- New gen IS canned for an extended facelift in 2021
- LBX received Akio's codename "Morizo" instead of F
- Crown luxury brand expansion
- Century brand expansion
Meanwhile.. what does Lexus get? No specialized product other than the GX550
And now likely the LFR launching as a Toyota/GR product instead (TBD still ofc)
In Aichi (next to Lexus):
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 306
From: NY
Umm did you not read my post? Lol
Thats exactly what I stated that it didn’t sell because it was AWD, heavy, complex and expensive. If it was RWD without hybrid, offered manual transmission which Honda does well and would have been around $80-120k, then it would have been a success. That is exactly the niche that Corvette owns right now.
Corvette is an amazing value for the performance you get in a fairly lightweight, mid-engined V8 sports car.
The other negative for the NSX was a poorly made and designed interior that offered almost no customization.
Thats exactly what I stated that it didn’t sell because it was AWD, heavy, complex and expensive. If it was RWD without hybrid, offered manual transmission which Honda does well and would have been around $80-120k, then it would have been a success. That is exactly the niche that Corvette owns right now.
Corvette is an amazing value for the performance you get in a fairly lightweight, mid-engined V8 sports car.
The other negative for the NSX was a poorly made and designed interior that offered almost no customization.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 251
From: New York
This is a popular idea and I think it's true, that Akio wants to uphold his family name hence Toyota brand getting all of the attention. Other than the few Lexus USA decision like the GX and IS500 let's look at what's happened:
- Lexus GS cancelled, revived as Toyota Mirai
- Lexus LF1 cancelled during development
- Lexus LCF/LSF cancelled during development
- New gen IS canned for an extended facelift in 2021
- LBX received Akio's codename "Morizo" instead of F
- Crown luxury brand expansion
- Century brand expansion
Meanwhile.. what does Lexus get? No specialized product other than the GX550
And now likely the LFR launching as a Toyota/GR product instead (TBD still ofc)
- Lexus GS cancelled, revived as Toyota Mirai
- Lexus LF1 cancelled during development
- Lexus LCF/LSF cancelled during development
- New gen IS canned for an extended facelift in 2021
- LBX received Akio's codename "Morizo" instead of F
- Crown luxury brand expansion
- Century brand expansion
Meanwhile.. what does Lexus get? No specialized product other than the GX550
And now likely the LFR launching as a Toyota/GR product instead (TBD still ofc)
Just sad that they have allowed Lexus to decline so significantly.
The new GX is probably the best product they have given Lexus in past 10 years even though its based on Toyota, at least it gets the better engine and really cool styling.
In past 10 years, Toyota has come out with many more products.
I have said it for years - the fact that LC500 doesn’t have an Fsport trim or package is just mind boggling. How does your flagship coupe not wear F branding but the NX and RX have it - make it make sense!
Lexus Fanatic
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From: ON/NY
Speaks French in Russian
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From: What is G?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 251
From: New York
Lexus has been teasing a V8 tt for over 10 years it feels like 🤣
Seriously i was at Lexus event YEARS ago now and was told the LC-F was months away. There was a few of them testing in spy photos only for the V8 TT to be cancelled!
All i want is a Fsport LC500 with some decent wheels, blackout chrome, blue interior and some interesting exterior colors. More aggressive suspension setup and maybe some CF parts.
No interest in Hybrid which will be more complex, more expensive and much heavier. Nobody will buy a $200k + Lexus sports car.
Seriously i was at Lexus event YEARS ago now and was told the LC-F was months away. There was a few of them testing in spy photos only for the V8 TT to be cancelled!
All i want is a Fsport LC500 with some decent wheels, blackout chrome, blue interior and some interesting exterior colors. More aggressive suspension setup and maybe some CF parts.
No interest in Hybrid which will be more complex, more expensive and much heavier. Nobody will buy a $200k + Lexus sports car.
Last edited by RNM GS3; Jun 21, 2025 at 06:45 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 529
From: Maryland
Lexus has been teasing a V8 tt for over 10 years it feels like 🤣
Seriously i was at Lexus event YEARS ago now and was told the LC-F was months away. There was a few of them testing in spy photos only for the V8 TT to be cancelled!
All i want is a Fsport LC500 with some decent wheels, blackout chrome, blue interior and some interesting exterior colors. More aggressive suspension setup and maybe some CF parts.
No interest in Hybrid which will be more complex, more expensive and much heavier. Nobody will buy a $200k + Lexus sports car.
Seriously i was at Lexus event YEARS ago now and was told the LC-F was months away. There was a few of them testing in spy photos only for the V8 TT to be cancelled!
All i want is a Fsport LC500 with some decent wheels, blackout chrome, blue interior and some interesting exterior colors. More aggressive suspension setup and maybe some CF parts.
No interest in Hybrid which will be more complex, more expensive and much heavier. Nobody will buy a $200k + Lexus sports car.
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