Lexus LFA Super Car Spy Photos
By David on Jun 19, 2007 in Lexus, Prototypes, Spy Photos

I’m fairly certain I felt something move when I spotted the latest spy shots of the upcoming Lexus. Fat Wallet Elites have had to keep their lips wet since the Detroit Auto Show 2005 when the machine was first debuted. It’s came a long way since it’s first prototype, maybe we will see a finished product soon.

Date posted: 01-13-2008


DETROIT — Lexus is still trying to figure out how to make supercars. So if Ferrari can cut the top off a coupe and turn it into a Spyder, why shouldn't Toyota's premium brand apply the same treatment to its performance flagship?

If you sort of recognize the new LF-A roadster, perhaps it's because the topless two-seater is an evolution of last year's LF-A coupe, complete with the same V10 of "under 5.0 liters" that makes "more than 500 horsepower" and has a top speed "greater than 200 mph."

Lexus may be deliberately vague about the performance stats, but the in-your-face styling of the car should dispel any doubts as to the brand's intent.

The roadster, like the coupe, is constructed of aluminum and carbon fiber to keep the weight down while providing a rigid structure. A speed-sensitive adjustable wing keeps the rear end planted at higher speeds. The front-mounted engine drives the rear wheels through a torque tube that functions as a central structural member. Power is fed to the rear transaxle through a sequential manual gearbox.

Twin radiators are also mounted in the rear and cooled via massive air intakes above the rear wheelwells, with hot air vented through a pair of grilles in the rear end.

The LF-A rides on 20-inch wheels and high-performance tires — 265/35R20 in front and 305/30R20 in the rear — with cross-drilled, vented disc brakes all around.

Lexus notes that the roadster bears the brand's new performance-oriented F logo, denoting the car's status as a sister model to the new IS-F sport sedan.

What this means to you: At 200-plus mph, occupants are going to be picking some serious bugs out of their teeth. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent

With recent appearances of the Lexus LF-A prototype production version becoming a common occurrence in and around the Nürburgring area, spy photographers have caught something special in its wake. Never seen before, an LF-A prototype in race trim was spotted wearing a more purposeful aerodynamics kit which includes a redesigned front bumper with stacked front winglets or dive planes on the sides, smaller Le Mans Prototype style mirrors and dramatic fixed rear wing. Other significant observations include revised headlamps, lower bumper mounted fog lamps, hood pins, wavy body panels indicating composite or plastic material, roll cage and most importantly a quick-access fuel filler cap behind the passenger side window with carbon fiber mounting panel.

Our spy sources have heard rumours that Lexus will use the upcoming legendary 24-hours race at the German Nürburgring in May to launch the all-new LF-A to the public. Given all of these revealing details, perhaps they're not rumours after all. However, it won't be the production car that debuts but instead this aggressive race variant. So, if it's a race car, then why is it strutting around on public roads? Simply because the 24 Hours Nürburgring is a unique race that allows vehicles ranging from regular road cars, European Touring Car Championship, German Touring Car (DTM) and of course Le Mans GT cars.

There's no doubt that the LF-A will be a hyper car of delirious proportions, but with the likes of a Nissan GT-R V-Spec and GT-R Super GT grabbing all the headlines lately, it's no surprise Toyota wants a piece of the action.

LONDON — The next step in the development of the Lexus LF-A concept car will be an appearance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in Germany in late May, where engineers will provide "feedback" to the development team.

Even though the LF-A concept will be part of the pack, Lexus hastened to point out that the vehicle is not "a dedicated racecar and will only be equipped with the safety equipment [roll cage, fuel tank, etc.] necessary to meet racing regulations."

The goal of this grueling exercise will be "to acquire knowledge that can be used to further the vehicle's overall development," the automaker said.

Lexus predicts that the LF-A is designed to "make a top speed of 200 mph not only possible, but probable."

The concept has a 550-plus-horsepower V10 engine, a rear-mounted transmission and rear-mounted radiators.

What this means to you: Lexus takes a critical step at one of the toughest tracks in the world on its way toward making the LF-A a reality. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

Edmunds Inside Line

PASADENA, California — After three auto show appearances and the occasional spy photo and video from Germany's high-speed Nürburgring test circuit, it's no secret that the Lexus LF-A supercar concept is headed for production. With an estimated 500 horsepower coming from the LF-A's 5.0-liter V10, we didn't expect the Lexus to come cheap, but Inside Line has learned that the car will carry a price tag over $200,000.

Ben Mitchell, corporate product planning manager for Lexus, confirmed that the price of the carbon-fiber supercar "will begin with a two." And another Lexus source in Japan told Inside Line the price may be as high as $225,000.

Shown in both coupe and roadster forms, the LF-A will first launch as a coupe. Roadster versions will be priced even higher. Both body styles are approximately 2 inches shorter and an inch narrower than the 483-hp Ferrari F430, with a similarly sized wheelbase. A 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider costs $211,525.

Although final specifications have not yet been released, Lexus says the LF-A will reach a top speed over 200 mph.

What this means to you: Lexus is gunning for the Italians with the LF-A, and it's not going to cut any corners in its quest to deliver a legitimate supercar. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor