Lexus has set the release date for its supercar, the LFA, as "early 2011". Only 500 customers will be able to enjoy the LFA, the first car of its type from either Lexus or Toyota. Toyota's luxury division isn't chasing junior supercars like the Porsche 911 Turbo ($132,800) or the upcoming supercar-of-our-dreams, the Ferrari 458 Italia ($240,000), or even the sharp grand touring supercars of our day like the Aston Martin DBS ($269,000).
No, Lexus figures its got the chops to head straight for the top. Anticipate comparisons with the $310,000 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano or the replacement for the $350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago. After all, Toyota Motor Corporation plans to price the LFA at $375,000 and still - rumour has it - won't make any money on the $187,500,000 of revenue from the 500 cars. There's plenty more you need to know about the 2011 Lexus Laughah so head below for a traditional GoodCarBadCar.net Lowdown.
LEXUS' FACTS
1- The LFA's chief engineer believes strongly in the sporting capabilities of the Lexus: "Over the past decade we have pushed every boundary in pursuit of this goal and I believe we have created the most driver-orientated car we possibly could."
2- 552 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque are generated by a 4.8L V10 which will provide speeds up to 52mph in first gear, and 76mph, 104mph, 136mph, 172mph, and something near 202mph in each successive gear.
3- Lexus calls the LFA's 48:52 weight distribution "the optimum", which is interesting given BMW's strict adherence to 50:50 and Ferrari's newfound desire for a more rearward bias.
4- Apparently the size of a regular V8 and the weight of a regular V6, the 4.8L V10 was developed with help from Yamaha.
5- Lexus says form had to follow function with the LFA as a result of L-Finesse, the design credo behind all current the blaa Lexus sedans and SUVs on the road today. (Lexus didn't actually use the word "blaa".)
GOODCARBADCAR'S LOWDOWN
1- Numerous facts make the Lexus' claim for the Laughah's sportiness completely believable: they'll take out the stereo if you want to save weight, the engine revs to 9,000 rpm, Lexus didn't chase big horsepower numbers and crazy top speeds (even if 552 and 202 sound lofty), dry sump lubrication is used to lower the car's centre of gravity, and an upshift through the sequential 6-speed gearbox takes just 0.2 seconds.
2- The LFA weighs between 3,262-3,483 pounds, matching nicely with something like the 638-bhp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 or the 552-bhp Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.
3- Lexus has taken forever and a day to finally get this car ready for production (and it's still way more than a year away), one of numerous factors contributing towards sky-high expectations. Pricing in the stratosphere, original F1-inspired intentions, and ridiculous amounts of time spent at the Nurburgring better combine to make this car incredible and unstoppable.
4- The Good Car Guy will be the first to say power isn't everything. What's the difference between 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds or 0-60 in 3.5.... other than two-tenths of a second? Nevertheless, right off the bat the Lexus LFA loses respect on the street; not because its powerless but because of all the much cheaper cars with more power.
5- Most every picture of the Lexus LFA in the Gallery below are impressive at first, then moderately eye-catching before becoming simply intentionally inconspicuous. There's zero ounces of glamour; no hint of designers who were allowed to splurge in any specific area. Only aerodynamicists designed this car; and only in a wind tunnel. In fact, Lexus admits the design was "dictated" by the front-mid engine layout, long wheelbase, and aerodynamic concerns.
If it's not a whole lot faster than the Gallardo around a track it better be 4x more luxurious because the Gallardo and others are a whole lot more exotic in both styling, image, and history.
ReplyDeleteSo Toyota gets the rear wing on the back of the old Supra right (http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2009/10/100-favourite-cars-part-x.html) but gets it wrong on the back of the new LFA? Yes, that era is over.
ReplyDeleteA pre-production version of this car ran 7:24 at the Ring. That is faster than any Lamborgini ever made.
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