Wednesday 22nd April 2009

Lexus LF-A Races Towards Production

Toyota says latest race campaign is part of 'ongoing R&D'

---

Lexus will campaign two LF-A sports car prototypes at the Nürburgring 24-hour race in May, adding to speculation that a production road version is still on the cards.

LF-A racer will have carbon body

According to unconfirmed reports a final production-spec LF-A is being readied for the Tokyo motor show in the autumn. The concept first appeared at the Detroit show in 2005 and prototypes have been regularly photographed during Nürburgring track testing over the last couple of years.

Given the current economic climate, a Tokyo show appearance wouldn’t necessarily mean Toyota’s board has finally signed-off the LF-A for production, but the 2009 Nürburgring campaign looks like another positive step.

Toyota’s own press release takes a cautious note, saying the race merely forms part of an on-going R&D process and that the LF-A is being developed ‘with an eye on commercialisation’.

Still no road car confirmed...

‘As in 2008, Lexus engineers will use the gruelling race at the infamous German track to gather technical data that will be applied to future mass-production of vehicles.  The company will also use the event as an opportunity to develop human resources by giving young mechanics the chance to work as support staff,’ the official statement says.

Two LF-As will compete in the May 23/24 event. The cars are powered by a 4.8-litre V10 producing around 500bhp, and modifications from road-going prototype models include safety equipment such as roll cage and racing fuel tanks, as well as carbon fibre body panels and aero parts.

[Bizzle]

Are Nissan running a version of the GTR in this race?
THAT would be worth watching... bring back the good 'ol days of the Supra/GTR confrontation. Forget all this 911 vs GTR rubbish.

[Quentin1]

They are supposed to do next year in Falken livery, as they formerly used the R34 until 2007. Currently they have the 350Z but they said to bring the R35 in 2010...

I go there every year and the LF-A has a really sweet sound.

regards,
Björn.

[Quentin1]

Just noticed that there are actually three cars, not just two in the list, start numbers 14, 15 and 16.

FYI:

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/uploads/media/Vorlaeufig...

RJN will bring a 370Z, number 39! A bunch of Astons will be there as well (LOOK AT NUMBER 7! V12 Vantage with Mr. Bez himself). I just can recommend this race to anyone interested in Motorsport. Best race there is on this planet when it comes to cars themselves, believe me. (Bathurst might come close...) LeMans might be another caliber, but try to match 240 cars in one race in

Regards,
Björn.

Edited by Quentin1 on Wednesday 22 April 13:05

[vz-r_dave]

When is the race? How easy is it to get parking and costs etc. I am in Frankfurt and might come over for a day.

[Daston]

any idea if it will be on satalite?

[B10BRW]

Wow a good looking Lexus , whatever next

[Quentin1]

vz-r_dave said:

When is the race? How easy is it to get parking and costs etc. I am in Frankfurt and might come over for a day.

The actual race starts on saturday, 23rd of May.

Here is the english version. Don´t miss that one.

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/en.html

Regards,
Björn, who will definately be there.

[Dr S]

The Lexus ran in this year's first 4h race at the Ring (VLN series) and won in its class.

[Frimley111R]

B10BRW said:

Wow a good looking Lexus , whatever next

They're not ugly, just bland.

[DodoRacing]

They've already raced an LF-A in last year's 24h and in several shorter VLN races including this past weekend. Don't see what's "news" about. That said, it's great to see it getting closer to production. The more performance cars out there, the merrier for the consumer.

[Quentin1]

Well, the news is that last year´s approach was more a test run. This years three car armada is definately to mix up the top 20 cars. Especially when you look at the number 15 car. That are top drivers for the Nordschleife:

Hahne, Armin
Krumbach, Jochen
Iida, Akira
Kinosta, Takayuki

Regards,
Björn.

Edit: Well, one name is that hot, it is even censored on PH.

Edited by Quentin1 on Thursday 23 April 11:33