Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA will be moving from the ranks of a concept car to
a production supercar in the year 2012. Toyota says it will start
production of only 500 Lexus LFA vehicles (20 a month for 25 months)
starting in December 2010.
The Lexus LFA will join the ranks of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati,
Bugatti, Saleen and a few others which can go from 0 to 60 mph in
under 4 seconds (3.6 seconds to be exact). One of the key features
of the LFA supercar is its Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)
body, which is both highly durable and lightweight.
The Lexus LFA 1LR-GUE 4.8 L V10 engine was co-developed with Yamaha
and generates 553 hp with a 9,000 rpm redline in just 0.6 seconds.
The Toyota engineers have even paid attention to the sound of the
vehicle.
The Lexus LFA carries an acoustically tuned surge tank that gives
the supercar the same sound as a Formula 1 racecar. The two-seat
Lexus LFA also uses a 6-speed automatic sequential gearbox (with
200 millisecond upshifts) that drive 20-inch wheels surrounded by
Bridgestone Potenza tires and are stopped by two piece carbon ceramic
brakes.
For the production version of the 2012 Lexus LFA, Toyota has already
started to take pre-orders. The vehicle comes in 30 different colors
from which to choose. The LFA supercar of course is not for everyone
with a price tag of around $350,000 USD, but compare this to another
supercar like a Lambo or Bugatti and the price all of a sudden becomes
a bargain.
Inside the Lexus LFA is a cockpit design including hooded instrument
panel, central tachometer with a thin film transmitter and LCD displays,
plus a remote touch system. This system is similar to a computer
mouse where the driver moves the cursor to operate GPS or infotainment
functions.
This exotic front-engine, rear wheel drive vehicle will also come
with something it calls the Nurburgring Package which is starting
production in 2012. Only 50 Lexus LFA cars with the Nurburgring
Package will be built as a racetrack oriented and optimized vehicle.
The Nurburgring Lexus LFA will feature a large front spoiler with
canards and fixed rear spoiler. High grip tires, a racetrack tuned
suspension and mesh-type wheels will also be a part of the Nurburgring
Package. The price has yet to be revealed on this package.
So, needless to say, Toyota has decided to plunge right into the
supercar marketplace though years of development have preceded the
commercial production of the 2012 Lexus
LFA. With its high performance and relatively low price,
Toyota is putting the other supercar makers on notice.
|
