encore888

We don't know what kind of marketing it will receive, but I think a slight indication is Lexus.com, Lexus.jp, etc...absolutely nothing about the car itself. In contrast, Lexus.jp at least had a teaser website up prior to the Tokyo shows in 2005 and 2007. If the 500 unit number is true, this looks to not be marketed widely at all. It will be a super rare, exclusive supercar, more rare than a Ferrari.

FisforFast

Not in that sense of the word. Cheap in the sense that it is not overly expensive considering the number of units available.

LexFather

Its a supercar/exotic, its not SUPPOSED to make sense.

Dude, most exotics sell in very low numbers, only the CGT and F40 sold in the 1400 or so range.

Mister Two

I was referring to your statement of "It's cheap and not a lot are being made." in your previous post unless I interpreted it incorrectly.

And how is marketing going to be hideous?? The car itself will be sold out before it even goes on sale thanks to the hype built up in previous auto shows so no additional effort in marketing will be needed there. For the brand image and the halo effect on the F line I think Lexus will simply need to do a few branding commercials featuring the LF-A. People will find out that they can't buy one. Big deal. They can't buy an Enzo either. But the car will elevate the brand image to the next level.

FisforFast

Guys, I honestly don't think the LFA will do as much good for Lexus as most are thinking it will. The fact that most people will not be able purchase one regardless of it they can afford it or not will weigh heavily on how the media treats it and how the car is viewed. Not a lot of people are going to be able to enjoy it and from a business standpoint I don't see that as being a plus. You really need to stop comparing it to an Enzo or a Zonda, though...

I'm going to stop the discussion right here because we're going in circles.

Gojirra99

That's why I have posted many times here Lexus need to introduce a few more sports car models in it's normal price range, i.e. $120K and under to benfit from the LFA's supposed halo effect.
And yes they should make more LFA's (like 1500-2000)and sell it at a much lower price so more people can actually experience it.
1500 cars is not a lot. With 1400+ Carrera GT's produced, I have only seen it on the road a couple times ...
After I've heard about the $300k+ price that has been rumoured for a long time, I have lost a lot of interest and excitement on this car than I should otherwise have.
At $350K plus, a lot of people would expect(& rightfully) the LFA to blow away everything else, & if it does not, it will be disappointing.
Just saying there will only be 500 built to make it sound exclusive to justify the price will not cut it.

RXSF

its a pride thing. It doesnt matter if it will sell or not, doesnt matter how much it is, or how many they make, what matters is that the LFA FINALLY goes into production after 5 years as a concept. It shows what lexus can do, and also what the F brand might have in store in the future

do we know where (if even) it will be streamed yet?

encore888

Most are thinking is reflective of the enthusiast base, but I am in agreement that a halo car has a limited effect. IMO, as Gojirra99 said, Lexus will need to produce affordable cars to capture the LFA halo as best it can, and a GS-F, new SC, etc. cannot come soon enough.

From a business standpoint, this car though is meant to be in low numbers, rare, given that it is sold at a loss, and it is really meant to be an aspirational car and not one widely sold. The marketing at auto shows, in videos, and magazines, is where the effect is greatest, and for each of those only 1 car is needed.

To my earlier point Lexus USA has done little to nothing on the LFA--there's only 1 picture of the LF-A II concept there. That shows that they know this car is a limited and rare vehicle of a different class.

As for the specs, I follow rominl's point, that it really has more to what the car handles on the track, the whole gestalt of the car, which simple numbers do not fully capture. What it gets compared against will be widely debated. Finally, I would also mention that any preliminary specs are typically conservatively stated, at least for past Lexus models.

Lexus Europe will post a vid some 6 hours after the event...

FisforFast

The LFA and the 'SC-F' would need to be launched almost simultaneously for something like that to work. With the rate Lexus is going at, we probably won't see a new SC for the next couple of years and by that time the LFA will be nothing but a foggy afterthought for most people who would have probably bought one had it been more accessible.

LexFather

I feel you but it is a halo and maybe a real definition of a changing point for Lexus. Seriously, I just looked at the GSh when I went to the store and it looked "Different". I smirked knowing that Lexus has made something totally unrelated to my car, totally out my price range, yet I feel a connection to it as a Lexus owner.

Maybe that is how BMW, Porsche, etc owners feel in regards to halo cars and their brand?

I am with you 100% lets hope this trickles down with other production cars. Lets have our wallets ready b/c I have a feeling it is going to happen.

Gojirra99

Ummm, we have a Japanese member posting in the prototype forum that the LF-A will not even start production until end of next year, which if accurate, we will not see the first production car until early 2011 ... and the 500 car run will last two years ... i.e the 500 LF-A's will tricke out within the next 3+ years, so still plenty of the time for a new SC (hopefully) to catch up ...

LexFather

Seriously, to think Lexus is producing this. Not Ferrari, not Lambo, not Aston, not Pagani, not Porsche...

encore888

A very brief Q&A from Autocar with the LFA chief engineer:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/244231/

flipside909

IS F does have a 170mph speed limiter. Who said it's electronically limited to 150? Sounds like BS to me.

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

30 minutes guys!!!