Lexus LF-A Race Version Spy Photos
17 Apr, 2008
30 Comments 
While Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin have for long shared the prestigious title of the ‘ultimate supercar manufacturers’, Toyota’s luxury arm – Lexus – is on a quest to show the world, that it to can make a proper supercar.
Japanese rival Nissan has already proven with its GT-R that you don’t need a $500,000 budget to lap the Nürburgring faster than today’s best supercars, but now it’s Lexus’ turn.
Our sources tell us that Lexus is going to use the legendary 24-hours race at the Nürburgring in May to officially show the all-new LF-A to the public for the very first time.
However it won’t be the production variant, but this angry race-prepared LF-A variant. Caught by our European photographers yesterday, the ultimate Lexus doesn’t seem to share many design ideas with the current range. Not that it needs to.
Equipped with a massive aerodynamics kit including front flaps, smaller mirrors, a dramatic rear wing to ensure downforce plus an additional fuel filler right behind the passenger’s side window, the LF-A might just surprise us all in May (it may also fail miserably against the strong competition).
The production version is expected to sport a V10 engine with around 400kW of power, but it’s uncertain which engine Lexus is using to power the race variant and how much power it produces.
The LF-A will the be Halo car for Lexus as it tries to bring performance to its brand. Lexus will shorly launch the IS-F in Australia plus many other ‘F’ models.
Honda is also working on the next-generation NSX to compete with its Japanese rivals.
You can find pictures of the LF-A Roadster here and here.
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April 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
God its ugly…………could they have made the rear wing any larger and what about that exhaust?Is it painted in flat black or is it primer……mirrors look stupidly small…….whole car doesn’t flow. Sorry once again Lexus have failed.
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
This isnt the real car… because if Japan wants to compete in the same league with the likes of Aston Martin and Lamborghini there is no way they will do any good witha car this hideous – so id say this is just camouflage
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I think it looks awesome…
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Looks like a aftermarket mod job gone wrong. But I doubt thats what it will look like.
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOL, THIS IS SO STUPID, TRUST TOYODA TO MAKE CAR’S THAT LOOK LIKE CRAP…..
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Good call Paul………..I hope for Lexus your right
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
FANTASTIC … another great car from Lexus and they just keep getting better. Waiting for the IS-F to go onsale in Australia about Oct/Nov this year which will bring new passion to the Lexus brand down-under.
Keep up the great work Lexus.
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
to the haters………….you did read its a “race” versipon right. wich means it has alot of the “needs” of a race car.. giant wing.. cos they can do the speeds that a giant wing requires to be effective… i think it looks fantastic. i think this is agood direction for toyota
get back into road racing with F1.. and to pick up after their lemans attempt.. it would be nice
cookie
Vote:April 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
lol,can u actually read those 2 words up there “race” & “spy pictures”???
Vote:dont start criticizing it because its from lexus
ur sad
April 18th, 2008 at 12:04 am
its amazing how people criticise it for the “big” wings…
its a “race” trial car.
Do yourselves a favour and look up GT race cars, or any race cars for that matter…. the “big” wing is there for a purpose not for looks.
Again, its ugly to some, but its also very nice to others…. you can always debate looks….. heck you might think your partner is good looking, but to others they might not be….. see?
Whats intriguing is..
Lexus is yet to actually confirm the production version, its pretty much 80% chance to be a production…. but still… its on the shelf…
So the Lexus IS-F… then the LF-A (80% chance)… then Toyota to release a new “mid-market” sports car to compete with the 370R (”Supra”, “MR-2″ or a performance “Celica” replacement)….. then an affordable sports coupe, so young people can actually afford BRAND NEW CARS instead of buying second hand cars and acting as if they contribute to the Industry….
I think Toyota is doing a great job and HAS done a great job the last decade.
- Conquered the Industry, by over taking the big U.S Manufacturers. Globally.
-Hyundai, VW and Honda announcing they plan to follow “Toyota”… yup they named their benchmark for success… good thing.
-Is one of the leading manufacturers pushing for Hybrid tech. Although they could use Diesel in their sedans, Euros are doing a great job there, GM is doing a good job for their trucks in the U.S in terms of that.
-Being named in the top 5 best companies to work for.
- Increasing stakes on other manufacturers.
The bad, obviously…
- Quality has taken a hit, due to rapid growth and policy in warranty claims (even the most minor issue is recorded and evaluated to be applied for newer models)
- Slipped in the JD Powers rating… but again this is due to the warranty policy, and recalls due to again… the most minor things…
- When your on top, you can only go down…
- Bland image… apparently, people only buy cars for looks and performance. When actually… smart business practice dictates to cater for the majority of the market, who happens to prioritize daily benefits and affordability, reliability as opposed to performance. etc.
(But again, I said it a few times, 2 years time and that should change… Toyota is going to be back on the performance field while dominating the “everyday” car category)
Hate them all you want, but the bad things listed are pretty much already in the process of being corrected. Size wise, they will only get bigger.
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 12:08 am
and yes.. most of the body’s key features… well… not so key.. is under camouflage.
I really doubt they’ll release a car that has a matte black paint job, white scratches… plastic covers on front and rear lamps….
Its not a “real” car… its a trial….
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 7:48 am
That’s look hideous! Look like a carbon copy of Nissan 300zx and that way early 90’s
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 9:05 am
man i hpe that is just the camo thats ugly and no the car underneath
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Lexus is gradually getting more market share each year, especially in America (the largest car market). Looks like it will get stronger over the next few years as well. In the April 2008 edition of Consumer Awards Report (USA), the Lexus IS 250 rated higher than BMW 328 and Merc C-300. Good to see Lexus is being successful.
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am
you know how much a front headlight costs on a Lexus LX470 (the big guy)?
Just the headlight (one) is $4000 not including blinker assembly.
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Ohhhhh is that all! How do they justify that? They would be made in Taiwan anyway .
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
ohh what a feeling!! The back looks like a dogs breakfast and the wing is just plain ugly looks like they got from ebay i say it needs to be even wider…yer yer i know its a prototype, the rest of the car looks pretty tough….
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
hahahahaha that is dog ugly how could lexus make such an ugly heap of crap.
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Lexus is spending $250 million expanding the number of dealerships in Australia by 50% (in today’s media report). The Lexus IS250 has won the Best Prestige Car award by the motoring associations for 2007 (and 2006) and are gaining more buyers.
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
looks like a new version of the Supra
Vote:April 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Jamison wrote :”Hyundai, VW and Honda announcing they plan to follow “Toyota”… yup they named their benchmark for success… good thing.”
Vote:Totally disagree on this point.Toyota has a history of being a follower – nothing has changed.The only reason it increases it’s stake in other manufacturers is that it hasn’t the necessary in- house talent,so therefore it absorbs engineering talent from it’s takeovers.
Toyota has followed Honda on a number of instances eg.Robots,variable engine timing,Formula 1,planes,when Honda produced the NSX,Toyota was producing it’s Supra for the cap wearing brigade,when Honda came up with it’s Type R Integra ,Toyota used the Celica with a Yamaha tuned engine to counter,as soon as the Honda President took a test drive in a Formula 1 car,a couple months later the Toyota Pres. did the same .When Honda produced a road going Hybrid car,Toyota quicky swung into action to produce it’s own.
I’m sure that there are other valid examples.
Toyota has not one original creative bone in it’s unimaginative sterile body.-IT HAS NO SOUL !
April 18th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
How can Toyota be the follower when they are the leaders … mmmm !!
Honda trials Toyota in global sales, prestiage marketing, (Lexus), off-roaders, hybrids, financial wealth, corporate efficency and even Formula 1 (so far this year) …. oooch !!
Vote:April 19th, 2008 at 12:21 am
You really are deluded………..Toyota leaders/Lexus right.You telling me the major manufacturers in the world take their lead…………pfftttttttttt
So what engine is going to win the best engine in the World category for Toyota again this year…………oh sorry thats belongs to a real leader. You ever seen a Merc next to a Lexus…………..you telling me then that Merc follow Lexus……..hahaha
How many people on this site have to tell you this before it sinks in! Toyota is boring boring boring and are great imitators not innovators!
Vote:April 19th, 2008 at 1:25 am
In many regards BMW and Merc do follow Lexus such as impeccable biuld quality, refinement, reliability and certainly money for value in the prestiage market.
Actually, correct me if i am wrong but didn’t BMW and MB recently agree on co-development together because of the ever increasing threat from Lexus …. mmmm – i certainly recall that article in one of the latest Wheels editions.
And how many times do i have to tell you before it sinks in – Toyota is now todays leading automotive manufacter … oooch !!
Are other leading manufactuers taking thier lead – certainly … hybrid technology for one, quality manufacturing and corporate efficency (Kaizen) to mention a 3rd.
Oh what a feeling …. Toyota !!
Vote:April 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am
If Toyota are the leaders; the innovators of the automotive industry how many of the following fetures etc did they introduce before their rivals?
ABS – EBD – ESP – TC – SRS Airbags – Trip Computer – Xenon Headlights – MRC – SIPS – DOD – Turbo/Supercharging – 4WD AWD – 4WS – IRS – Climate Control – I-Drive – LED lights –
SatNav – TPC – Central Locking – Cruise Control – Direct Injection – Fuel Injection – EMS – Diesel – Power Windows -
Auto Headlights – Auto Wipers – SMG/Tiptronic/F1 Paddle Gearbox – Rear Park Assist – VDC – Bluetooth [VC] – DVD – Air Suspension – Ceramic Brakes – Run Flat Tyres – DOHC -VVT – Electric Seats – ABC…?
Answer: None
Vote:April 19th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Toyota are good at refining and not necessarily good innovators where I agree somewhat to FastHonda, take a technology and try to refine it.
Err with supra, they came out in 1979, nsx from what i remember was 90’s, The only Supra to come out after the initial NSX was the Mark4 around 1993.
And yes this car is a proto, race car, theres many race cars ugly as, whether it performs is another.
Vote:April 19th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Holy crap that is one fugly car!
Rollerskates ftw!
Vote:April 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Oh what another Fugly car by Lexus. Surprise,surprise!!!
Thats right Lexus the RWD Toyota.
WHY WOULD U BOTHER WITH THIS SHIT!!! really?
Vote:July 13th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I just want Honda to make some proper cars… I mean they were very good before…but recently they seem to produce midjet cars that don’t perform…the new integra is too slow and disappointing…civic type R is a garbage….the luxurious honda legend is too heavy and slow…come on honda~
Vote:August 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 am
It did say race trial car, it looks like a house garage aftermarket project. lol
Not nice, but its going to be HELLA F*CKN FAST i bet and ofcourse priced fairly.
MERCEDES/BMW/-&Lexus being the very far 3rd. Only Luxury people in the world should buy. (NOT LUXURY EXOTICS, take note)
But Lexus im afraid will someday be on par with Merc/BMW. I say in about 7-10yrs… For you Europeans and other continents. Lexus is already in the class of Mercedes/BMW in social status rankings. Nobody goes OH Yuck its a toyota! Its more Ok, they rich folks in the same likes as Merc/Beemer owners… b*tches
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