Hell has frozen over. C&D Comparo; Lexus LFA vs Ferrari 599 HGTE (spoiler)
 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...exus_lfa-video

The article is not online yet but the LFA beat the 599 HGTE.:eek2:

Well its by a point, so basically a tie:p but it's pretty shocking to continue to read reviews of a "Lexus" versus cars like "Ferrari" and the LFA continues to perform and show how well it belongs in this elite class of vehicles. I have to give C&D credit here as I usually am bashing them but seems they gave the LFA a fair shake (Haven't read the entire article yet).

The summary was basically "if Toyota put this much passion in all their cars they would be unbeatable".

We discussed it some in the big LFA thread but I don't think anyone was aware the LFA actually came out on top in the comparo.

http://lexusenthusiast.com/images/ga...-carview-1.jpghttp://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezfl...orano-hgte.jpg

Yeah but Car and Driver is a toilet paper crap magazine, so this review must be full of it ;)

Hence the title;)

Isn't the 458 Italia the natural rival of the LF-A? The 599 has always been something of a "leisurely" Ferrari (aka "grand tourer [GT]).

Yeah that's why Car and Driver is crap. Compare LFA to the 458 and it will be a different story.

How so? The LFA is a GT, it's the same layout as the 599, it's around the same price, and it's the natural competition. The 458 isn't a Front engined GT car is it? The 458 has nothing on the LFA in terms of luxury and the like. Neither does the 599 IMO, according to Chris Harris, the LFA's interior is without equal.

I think the LFA is just a grand tourer vehicle as well, if the LFA is hardcore off the charts with a mid engine layout then it can be compared to the italia.

The above is disregarding speed or performance, but merely the engine placement as a suggestion of emphasis towards more extreme performance over comfort with a mid engine layout.

The LFA is not just a grand tourer. It is more of a hardcore sports/performance car like the Italia, not a GT car like an DB9. If it was a grand tourer it would have a bigger displacement engine with more torque, not rev so high, and most likely heavier with more luxury features, smoother ride, quieter engine. Everything about the LFA aside from the engine layout is for maximum performance. The LFA is not even a great everyday car to drive around town like a GT car should as it reportedly has a pretty jerky transmission that only really shines during hardcore performance/track driving.

Saying the LFA is a grand tourer because the engine is in front is like saying a S2000 or RX-7 is a grand tourer because the engine is in front.

Although the 599 is Ferrari's GT car, it has the Ferrari DNA and high strung engine to hang with much harder edge cars and beat most GT cars.

I think a car like the LFA would be better compared to a more harder edged Ferrari like the 458 Italia even though their engine layouts are different.
I am not surprised that the LFA won though, although the 599 is a great performer I have never really been all that blown away with the 599 inside or out and it seems to be getting long in the tooth. They really should have given it the four circular taillamps instead of going with 2 which looks odd on it, great engine/transmission combo though.

I have to say the LFA looks sensational in red! The Ferrari of course looks like a Ferrari, classic, smooth styling. But it's familiar, we've all seen it before. The LFA looks just, ultra exotic. The more I see it the more I like it.

BTW, this article is in the December issue of C&D.

Cliffs on the review

Ferrari makes a Lexus

Lexus makes a Ferrari

I'm not sure if I would classify the LFA as a GT car. Is it softly sprung like a 599GTB? (Compared to hardcore sports cars, that is) Seems like the 599 HGTE or even a GTO would be appropriate competition.

The article is out online. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

It had to happen. Well-done Toyota/Lexus.

It is the 599 HGTE that they are comparing it with ;)

Lexus LFA beats the Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE with handling package
 

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...99-embed-3.jpg


LFA scored yet another win over 599 GTB HGTE even accelerating faster than it through the 1/4 mile (ofcourse, with the newly installed launch control).

Conducted at 1800 meters above sea level in Wales


"The Lexus feels more athletic than the Ferrari, and its performance is more accessible, more immediately. The engine is remarkable. Austin noted: “They  figured out the engine. It’s really strong, and then you hit about 6500 rpm and your eyes get all big as the power hits another level.” The only street-car engine that matches this one for smoothness, ecstatic noise, and power delivery is the 458 Italia’s."

Lexus LFA:

0 - 60 mph: 3.6 seconds
1/4 mile: 11.7 secs@125 mph
Skidpad: 0.98g

599 GTB HGTE

0 - 60 mph: 3.8 seconds
1/4 mile: 11.8 secs@125 mph
Skidpad: 0.93g[/B]


http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests


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