Son of Supra - C&D article from 2005 on LFA
04-29-11, 08:02 PM
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Son of Supra - C&D article from 2005 on LFA
I remember reading this when it first came out, but when I stumbled across it again tonight, I thought it might be interesting reading / viewing for members who missed the original and have now seen the end result.
Pretty neat how some things are spot on and others changed over time.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...supra-car_news
edit - I searched and didn't find this posted on CL, but keywords were difficult to sort out so apologies if this is a recent repost.
Pretty neat how some things are spot on and others changed over time.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...supra-car_news
Son of Supra - Toyota's most outrageous project to date...BY PETER LYON, PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLIDAY AUTO
January 2005
Rumors of a 500-hp supercar from Toyota have been floating about for the past year. One insider suggested the car wouldn't launch until Toyota's Formula 1 fortunes include some podium finishes. So, given last season's undistinguished F1 performances, the supercar may still be a way off. Nonetheless, Toyota crews were recently spied testing a prototype on the road.
From these images we can glean that the supercar will be Toyota's most outrageous project to date. Early reports suggested the car would be powered by a mid-engined, detuned version of the Formula 1 V-10. The latest intelligence indicates the engine will be mounted in front and will be a 4.5-liter V-10 jointly developed by Toyota and Yamaha. It won't be related to Toyota's F1 V-10.
The supercar's engine is expected to produce at least 480 horsepower, possibly even 500. One source hinted that the supercar may employ hybrid technology, which would boost fuel economy as well as torque, but we couldn't confirm that.
Problems can arise from such sleek, low-slung bodies, requiring some clever packaging solutions. Even experienced eyes have been stumped by spy photos that show insufficient front air intakes or cooling ducts necessary for a 500-hp engine. The absence of these items seems to indicate a rear-engine placement, but in fact, the engine is in front, and the radiators are in the rear fenders, just below the tacked-on taillights. Camouflage attempts to hide these ducts. These renderings show ducting up front, but we were told it will be for aerodynamics and brake cooling.
Just as Toyota is developing a supercar to take on the likes of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari, and even the upcoming 450-hp Nissan Skyline GT-R, internal dissension threatens the existence of this project. One faction is concerned that a company so rooted in hybrid powertrains and fuel economy will damage its image by producing a ridiculously high-powered two-seat vehicle. The opposing faction welcomes the supercar but is hotly debating whether to use a high-output version of the 5.0-liter V-8 from the upcoming redesigned Lexus LS sedan or build the V-10. Arguably, the V-10 would give the supercar a bit more prestige and distinction, but a V-8 would cost less, perform similarly, and likely swill less fuel.
So we know there is a V-10 lurking under the hood of the prototypes, but will that change before the $100,000-to-$120,000 car goes on sale as early as 2006? One thing is certain: If the Toyota Formula 1 effort snatches a couple of victories, Toyota will want to celebrate in a big way. What could be better than a supercar?
January 2005
Rumors of a 500-hp supercar from Toyota have been floating about for the past year. One insider suggested the car wouldn't launch until Toyota's Formula 1 fortunes include some podium finishes. So, given last season's undistinguished F1 performances, the supercar may still be a way off. Nonetheless, Toyota crews were recently spied testing a prototype on the road.
From these images we can glean that the supercar will be Toyota's most outrageous project to date. Early reports suggested the car would be powered by a mid-engined, detuned version of the Formula 1 V-10. The latest intelligence indicates the engine will be mounted in front and will be a 4.5-liter V-10 jointly developed by Toyota and Yamaha. It won't be related to Toyota's F1 V-10.
The supercar's engine is expected to produce at least 480 horsepower, possibly even 500. One source hinted that the supercar may employ hybrid technology, which would boost fuel economy as well as torque, but we couldn't confirm that.
Problems can arise from such sleek, low-slung bodies, requiring some clever packaging solutions. Even experienced eyes have been stumped by spy photos that show insufficient front air intakes or cooling ducts necessary for a 500-hp engine. The absence of these items seems to indicate a rear-engine placement, but in fact, the engine is in front, and the radiators are in the rear fenders, just below the tacked-on taillights. Camouflage attempts to hide these ducts. These renderings show ducting up front, but we were told it will be for aerodynamics and brake cooling.
Just as Toyota is developing a supercar to take on the likes of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari, and even the upcoming 450-hp Nissan Skyline GT-R, internal dissension threatens the existence of this project. One faction is concerned that a company so rooted in hybrid powertrains and fuel economy will damage its image by producing a ridiculously high-powered two-seat vehicle. The opposing faction welcomes the supercar but is hotly debating whether to use a high-output version of the 5.0-liter V-8 from the upcoming redesigned Lexus LS sedan or build the V-10. Arguably, the V-10 would give the supercar a bit more prestige and distinction, but a V-8 would cost less, perform similarly, and likely swill less fuel.
So we know there is a V-10 lurking under the hood of the prototypes, but will that change before the $100,000-to-$120,000 car goes on sale as early as 2006? One thing is certain: If the Toyota Formula 1 effort snatches a couple of victories, Toyota will want to celebrate in a big way. What could be better than a supercar?
Last edited by DaveGS4; 04-29-11 at 08:07 PM.
04-29-11, 10:29 PM
#4
Moderator: LFA, Clubhouse
I remember reading this article, and it's amazing how much of the stuff was actually correct (not to mention how much of the correct stuff made it into the production version).
Of course, reading the article also makes me sad. I really wish that Toyota's F1 stint had wound up differently, especially given Kamui Kobayashi (who almost certainly would have been the Toyota's 2nd driver the year after they quit) and his current success with Sauber. I really also feel Toyota dropped the ball in terms of taking advantage of their F1 team and using it for marketing purposes and releasing sporty vehicles. It's funny how the LFA and FT-86 and successors are all now long after Toyota quit.
Of course, F1 is a complete moneysink... no one would argue about that.
Of course, reading the article also makes me sad. I really wish that Toyota's F1 stint had wound up differently, especially given Kamui Kobayashi (who almost certainly would have been the Toyota's 2nd driver the year after they quit) and his current success with Sauber. I really also feel Toyota dropped the ball in terms of taking advantage of their F1 team and using it for marketing purposes and releasing sporty vehicles. It's funny how the LFA and FT-86 and successors are all now long after Toyota quit.
Of course, F1 is a complete moneysink... no one would argue about that.
04-29-11, 11:23 PM
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Dave you know what struck me. When we met Ethan years ago at one of the Deals Gap meets, maybe 2003 or so, I remember him saying Lexus was working on a sports car that is incredible. I asked him something like "a super SC 430" and he was like "no something really special" and he didn't know much details but it was like a super car.
Funny, never really thought about it until recently.
To the article it seems on point as the price mentioned is $150 grand or so, the price of the car when it was aluminum, before they switched to Carbon Fiber. The pic with the rear shot is pretty good!
Funny, never really thought about it until recently.
To the article it seems on point as the price mentioned is $150 grand or so, the price of the car when it was aluminum, before they switched to Carbon Fiber. The pic with the rear shot is pretty good!
04-30-11, 07:56 PM
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I remember reading this article, and it's amazing how much of the stuff was actually correct (not to mention how much of the correct stuff made it into the production version).
Of course, reading the article also makes me sad. I really wish that Toyota's F1 stint had wound up differently, especially given Kamui Kobayashi (who almost certainly would have been the Toyota's 2nd driver the year after they quit) and his current success with Sauber. I really also feel Toyota dropped the ball in terms of taking advantage of their F1 team and using it for marketing purposes and releasing sporty vehicles. It's funny how the LFA and FT-86 and successors are all now long after Toyota quit.
Of course, F1 is a complete moneysink... no one would argue about that.
Of course, reading the article also makes me sad. I really wish that Toyota's F1 stint had wound up differently, especially given Kamui Kobayashi (who almost certainly would have been the Toyota's 2nd driver the year after they quit) and his current success with Sauber. I really also feel Toyota dropped the ball in terms of taking advantage of their F1 team and using it for marketing purposes and releasing sporty vehicles. It's funny how the LFA and FT-86 and successors are all now long after Toyota quit.
Of course, F1 is a complete moneysink... no one would argue about that.
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