First drive in Lexus LF-A: faster than 599.
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First drive in Lexus LF-A: faster than 599.
Lexus LF-A
Test date 07 July 2009 Price as tested TBA
Strip out the race car frippery and this is essentially the production car
What is it?
This is the Lexus LF-A, a supercar that was first created by Toyota as far back as 2003. From late 2007 LF-As began testing at the Nurburgring regularly and from 2008 prototypes were entered into the 24 hour race at the famous circuit.
Apart from its stripped out, roll-caged interior and its rough and ready racing-logoed exterior, there is not a great deal of difference, technically, between this car and the one that will go on sale in October.
It will be limited to just 500 cars and cost around £250,000. That’s more than a Ferrari 599 GTB, which in conceptual terms is the LF-A’s most obvious rival.
Buyers will get plenty of performance, however. Toyota says this 5.0-litre motor will have “more than 500bhp” but unofficially the figure is nearer 550bhp – with a rev limit of 9000rpm in the production car.
Test date 07 July 2009 Price as tested TBA
Strip out the race car frippery and this is essentially the production car
What is it?
This is the Lexus LF-A, a supercar that was first created by Toyota as far back as 2003. From late 2007 LF-As began testing at the Nurburgring regularly and from 2008 prototypes were entered into the 24 hour race at the famous circuit.
Apart from its stripped out, roll-caged interior and its rough and ready racing-logoed exterior, there is not a great deal of difference, technically, between this car and the one that will go on sale in October.
It will be limited to just 500 cars and cost around £250,000. That’s more than a Ferrari 599 GTB, which in conceptual terms is the LF-A’s most obvious rival.
Buyers will get plenty of performance, however. Toyota says this 5.0-litre motor will have “more than 500bhp” but unofficially the figure is nearer 550bhp – with a rev limit of 9000rpm in the production car.
Should I buy one?
At the moment around 20 are earmarked to reach the UK, starting in early 2010, so you’ll need to move fast.
If I couldn’t set a faster lap time in this car around Goodwood than I could in a Ferrari 599 I’d be prepared to make a genuine attempt to eat my trousers.
It’s that well sorted, that quick, that good. And the meantime, roll on October, when the production car will at long last go on sale.
At the moment around 20 are earmarked to reach the UK, starting in early 2010, so you’ll need to move fast.
If I couldn’t set a faster lap time in this car around Goodwood than I could in a Ferrari 599 I’d be prepared to make a genuine attempt to eat my trousers.
It’s that well sorted, that quick, that good. And the meantime, roll on October, when the production car will at long last go on sale.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...-A-5.0/241363/
Last edited by spwolf; Jul 8, 2009 at 01:59 PM.
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From: What is G?
That was a good read. Thanks. So it will weigh around 3300 lbs and have a full carbon fiber chassis. According to this review, it seems like they thought the transmission has room for improvement. Interesting.
As for the comparison to the 599, compared to its main rivals its not really the best performer in that group anyway. The Lexus better be faster than it. Gotta love that Ferrari heritage/marketing.
As for the comparison to the 599, compared to its main rivals its not really the best performer in that group anyway. The Lexus better be faster than it. Gotta love that Ferrari heritage/marketing.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Belgium
1500 kg is too heavy considering the cars dimensions and materials used.
It should weigh something between 1300-1400 kg, and power will be closer to 600 hp than 550. At least that's what i hope or otherwise i cannot see it outperforming the competition, and that is exactly what it needs at that price level if it wants to sell.
It should weigh something between 1300-1400 kg, and power will be closer to 600 hp than 550. At least that's what i hope or otherwise i cannot see it outperforming the competition, and that is exactly what it needs at that price level if it wants to sell.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: California
I don't care how much this LF-A is going to cost because it will be out of my reach anyways, as long as someone could afford it I am happy, please make it asap Lexus because it looks really really good.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,240
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1500 kg is too heavy considering the cars dimensions and materials used.
It should weigh something between 1300-1400 kg, and power will be closer to 600 hp than 550. At least that's what i hope or otherwise i cannot see it outperforming the competition, and that is exactly what it needs at that price level if it wants to sell.
It should weigh something between 1300-1400 kg, and power will be closer to 600 hp than 550. At least that's what i hope or otherwise i cannot see it outperforming the competition, and that is exactly what it needs at that price level if it wants to sell.
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From: Waiting for next track day
I hope the LF-A is faster than a 599. The 599 is old . They are already releasing the HGTE package to spark more interest because buyers are going to Lamborghini who seem to keep coming out with new versions of their cars constantly.
The LFA is fast, but there is no car that will beat the GTR on value and very very few will ever beat it on face to face comparison. The GTR is/was the 6 th fastest production car to ever go around the ring according to TOP GEAR magazine.
Also the LFA does not have one thing that gets people to want a car in this price range, and that is history. Its a brand new car. The GTR has a 40 year history and it a small fraction of the cost
The LFA is fast, but there is no car that will beat the GTR on value and very very few will ever beat it on face to face comparison. The GTR is/was the 6 th fastest production car to ever go around the ring according to TOP GEAR magazine.
Also the LFA does not have one thing that gets people to want a car in this price range, and that is history. Its a brand new car. The GTR has a 40 year history and it a small fraction of the cost
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From: MO
I don't know why this has to become an LF-A, GT-R **** war. They are dynamically different cars in terms of layout and philosophy. When the LF-A comes out, sure, I want to see it race the best in class and that very well includes the GT-R but for now I'm just eager to see the Lexus interpretation of a supercar.