Wednesday 25th March 2009

Lexus LF-A Heading For Tokyo

Production-ready Lexus supercar to make motor show debut

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Despite Lamborghini announcing it was to pull out of the upcoming Tokyo motor show it seems there will still be one 600+bhp supercar there to raise visitor’s pulses.

Not wanting to let the home team down, Toyota look set to reveal the production version of the Lexus LF-A.

The covers were initially expected to be taken off at the Frankfurt motor show, but the V10-powered supercar now looks set to be unveiled at the show in October. The fate of the LF-A has been hanging in the balance for several months but the project now appears to have got the green light.

Fears that the project would be canned arose late last year as Toyota bosses questioned the importance of the Toyota Formula One team, casting doubts over the development of the V10 F1 engine that is likely to be used in a retuned state in the Lexus LF-A.

But Toyota’s renewed commitment to F1 looks to have given life to the supercar that the company hope will wrestle sales away from Porsche’s 911 range.

Toyota and Subaru are also rumoured to be preparing the eagerly anticipated Toyobaru concept for the show. Although the official word is that the jointly developed rear-wheel-drive project has been put on hold.

This week, several major manufacturers confirmed that they would not be present at the 2009 Tokyo show. Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volkswagen, Lamborghini, Ford, Chrysler and GM will all not be in attendance, prompting the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to shorten the show by four days.

[AL...Ease]

Nice profile, but the front looks a bit gash.

[rob.e]

Is it just me, or has this thing been at the "proto" stage for what feels like a very long time?

[karluk29]

looks nice!!! its about time they released it.

(then again im biased as from the side it looks like my misses wing-less supra HE HE)

[chizzle]

it is a great looker!
seems as if it will have a fair bit of poke as well!

[RINGMEISTER]

We've alll seen these photos over 2 years ago, stop telling us about it and make the dam thing

[karluk29]

isnt it in the 200mph+ club? in theory

and not that expensive eithier as it a toyota basically

[Paul GTS]

Side Profile = Wow!

Then you get a look at the front and ermm what the !!

I hope its not that bad and the shadows make it look worse than it is and its a great looking car side on. Apart from that weird wave/spike thing coming out of the rear quarter, get rid of that too!

Edited by Paul GTS on Wednesday 25th March 12:02

[PhantomPH]

Anyone?





Fantastic from the side and rear in concept form.

P~

[MIP1983]

If you havn't heard the noise this thing makes, crank the speakers up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSRbpNdCTUg

[Frimley111R]

Toyota are the most bizarre car company! They are responsible for the largest and dullest range of cars in history. Name one car (Lexus inc.) that you've ever felt passionately about since the Supra/Celica. And yet here they are trying to sell a 'Supercar' that's been around so long it needs a facelift BEFORE launch, in the midst of an economic downturn.

And god only knows what they think the benefits of having an F1 team are to the business which has pretty much no sports vehicles.

Toyota =

[jaik]

Retuned F1 engine? The mind boggles at how little they can reasonably carry across into a road car. F1 block with new everything else perhaps?

[Fire99]

mickken said:

Are Lexus owned by Toyota?

Yup...Lexus are Toyota's premium brand!

[Bladedancer]

Fire99 said:

mickken said:

Are Lexus owned by Toyota?

Yup...Lexus are Toyota's premium brand!

Yes, but fortunatelly they make their own cars now and Lexus is no longer just a rebranded Toyota.
In case of LF-A the question I'd like to get the answer for is:
Is this the new Supra?

[dazsmith69]

sublime

[Mark-C]

jaik said:

Retuned F1 engine? The mind boggles at how little they can reasonably carry across into a road car. F1 block with new everything else perhaps?

I'd figure the talk of F1 engines is marketing bks! The current F1 engine is a 2.4 V8 - the rules mean they haven't used a V10 since 2005.

[Frimley111R]

mickken said:

Fire99 said:

mickken said:

Are Lexus owned by Toyota?

Yup...Lexus are Toyota's premium brand!

Are they really going to spunk more cash on this? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realise that it probably won't sell in numbers and there is no money around at the moment. The NSX, as great as it was, never really competed with the 911, fast BMW's and so why should this be any different.

Best case is it will be delayed for another few years!!

I suppose they are reasoning that they have already spent millions on it so anything they get back will be a bonus. The NSX didn't compete for a number of reasons but a key one was the badge. Lexus is better but it is a brand without any sports history at all. Good luck, they'll need it!

[Dagnut]

They don't car what you think..it will sell in the US..stick it in a few rap videos..bob's your uncle fannies your aunt job done.

[EDLT]

Dagnut said:

They don't car what you think..it will sell in the US..stick it in a few rap videos..bob's your uncle fannies your aunt job done.

This is where the car is aimed, Americans appreciate quality more than having the right badge like we do in the UK.

[mark_davies]

But truth to be said Lexus do make vehicles on par with BMW and Mercedes , so what is the problem with an AMG slayer ?

Currently I have owned 3 Lexus's and at least the 4x4 is miles better than any x5 , its just a bit smaller . The is250 Se-l you can have that for 28k fully loaded ( satnav,14speakers,auto everything) where a similar 3 series would be 36k+ .
Lexus are a bit on the safe side but you turn some of the TC off and then she spins and drifts .

Edited by mark_davies on Wednesday 25th March 13:07

[vz-r_dave]

Cant wait to see this on the road, it was also present in last years Ring 24 hour I belive and it sounds and looks fantastic.

Its great to see another car on the market. The Japanese have the ability and technology know how to produce far better cars then the likes of Porsche, Aston etc. Just a shame they dont have the prestige behind them. I am sure with cars like the GTR and the LF-A that will change eventually. Although the NSX is on hold it is yet another car coming out of Japan that will easily compete with what Europe has to offer.