Lexus LF-A to make Australian debut at MIMS
January 21, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Lexus will stage the Australian debut of its own supercar, the LF-A Roadster, at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show.
The 330km/h V10 (360kW) LF-A Roadster goes on display in Melbourne after headlining motor shows in Tokyo and Detroit.
Boasting a sleek design and utilising a rigid yet lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium body the LF-A Roadster draws styling cues extensively from the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy and has been designed to deliver maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
The rear of the Roadster is marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights and a trio of centrally positioned exhausts.
To attain the best possible weight distribution, Lexus engineers positioned the radiators at the rear of the vehicle, which also allows for a sleeker front-end design. Two rear-mounted radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts located forward of the rear wheel wells, and heated air is vented out behind the vehicle via a pair of large grilles.
The engine is mounted in front of the passenger compartment, but behind the front-axle centreline to better manage weight distribution and is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drive train and chassis, while also reducing vibration.
The LF-A Roadster also features wide high-performance tyres on turbine-styled alloy wheels.
Lexus Chief Executive John Roca said “The 2009 Melbourne Show will debut Lexus’ most exclusive and powerful vehicle the LF-A Roadster concept. The LF-A is the ultimate representation of L-Finesse design and would be a fantastic halo vehicle for the brand, if produced. In addition to the LF-A, Lexus will display an all-new production model, the IS-F and our range of hybrid vehicles.”
The Melbourne International Motor Show is on at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 27 February to 9 March.
Print it: 
Finally, a Lexus for people under 70yo
That is if they actually build the thing, how many concept and prototype have we seen already? With the current recession, hopefully they won’t kill it like Honda did with the NSX replacement
gorgeous in my opinion
This thing has been in concept for the past few years. Just release it already!
Ha Ha Alex11, by the time this thing finally gets to market (particularly under the current climate and the shudders going through Toyota at the moment) The young ones who like it now will be 70
Alan & Yoho,
Buy Camry and Aurion, you will see real LF-A.
Toyota is NO.1 in care sales now and stupid enough to spend money for Formula One.
Whatever we say or they say, they have a enough money to release this good looking car.
Gee I hope they dont use Ethanol in it after this story……..
Story on the 18.1.09
“Toyota said Friday that it has launched a safety recall of about 214,500 Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. due to the potential corrosion of the cars’ fuel delivery pipes.
Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. is recalling the vehicles in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L Lexus vehicles with model years 2006 through 2008.
According to Toyota’s statement, some ethanol fuels with a low moisture content may corrode the internal surface of the fuel delivery pipes, resulting in a fuel leak over time. The pipe corrosion may trigger the malfunction indicator light in the vehicles, the company said.
Lexus dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipes at no charge, Toyota said. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in the recall.
In late January, the Japanese automaker said Lexus will mail safety recall notices to affected owners. “”
How will that affect their surveys ha ?
Anyone using ethenol to begin with should be slapped, and highly doubt anyone would be putting ethonal in the LFA, or Ferrari, GTR, Porche etc.
“Buy Camry and Aurion, you will see real LF-A.” ehh?
And also yes they have enough money to release, but question is will they make money from this car? especially in the current worlds economic situation.
Lexus has the best survey record in the world and no denying the highest build quality, refinement and reliability track record aswell.
Mercedez Benz, BMW and Jaguar’s recall history is nothing to get excited about and if my memory serves me correct i believe Audi announced one not so long ago aswell.
As for the LF-A, totally love the car and look forward to it’s release. Toyota recently re-confirmed ongoing funding for thier F1 commitment and continued development of the LF-A. Recently inspected the IS-F and was impressed on many-counts. Wish we received the IS350 in Australia, would make a good addition.
J.J.T Quote………”Lexus has the best survey record in the world and no denying the highest build quality, refinement and reliability track record aswell.
hahaha your opinion or is that a Lexus/Toyota survey ?
Lexus is nothing but a copy cat,never would have been developed if it didnt have a bench mark to TRY and meet!
Inspected the IS-F did we ?
I guess I can too, plenty around the dealerships to check out,unlike the latest M3 when it came out…………Im still waiting for my test drive ?
Not enough to go around ,the highest selling M3 ever,but hey Lexus can have a go at trying to resemble the Germans if they like! They always have !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Toyota in F1………”she falls off her office chair!” How long have they been in it trying to get a win?????????
Keep trying……….
Closest the Japs have come is the GT-R……..
So what Lexus cut the roof off of an old Celica and whacked on a sleazy veil-side bodykit…. which would’ve been popular with the ricers…. but it has a V10 so it will only be popular with the pretensious w–kers
Bavarian … not my opinion, published statistics from different sources around the world. One of the most respected of all – JD Powers – may ring a bell
All car companies bar none copy in some shape or form. It seems Ford / Lincoln have copied Lexus by planning the introduction of a self parking vehicle in the near future.
Only a matter of time before other companies start releasing 8 speed automatics to improve perfromance and fuel efficency.
‘Benchmark’ – it appears Lexus has re-established new levels of benchmarking were build quality, technology, refinement, sound proofing and even reliability is concerned and don’t seem to be doing to badly with improved road manners either.
‘IS’ series sets a good example.
As for sales of the IS-F, they are currently sold out until February (from October last year)and the limited number of 10 per month doesn’t even come close to satisfying demand.
F1, good to see Toyota continuing thier commitment in the most technical advanced motorsport in the world and even enjoyed a much improved season last year.
Lexus make good cars, very good cars !!!!!!!!
Wheelnut – i love that V10 Celica, blows my hat off !!!!!!
J.J.T.
Totally agree wit you.
Okay I guess but it better handle better than the last coupe thingy. Also what about the masses. Toyota seem to have given doing sporty vehicles for folk that don’t want to afford a V10.
Love the Celica comments. The back end of this resembles a bus given the sizee of it.
It appears Toyota is quite successful at selling regular vehicles to the masses !!!!!!!
Seems I have to do this in sections………….too big.
hahaha as I said J.J.T Toyota owner love their surveys !
JD Powers .mmmmm the only survey I could find Lexus winning was the poverty pac premium level sedan ,hardly anything to brag about in \”quality awards\”……….you make it sound like they beat the Germans in all segments. Its a survey as I said not like the awards for best engine in the world that is judged by 25 top automotive writers around the world…..*she reminds herself of all the ones BMW have won,more than any other car manufacturer*
Oh and I guess you use Panten shampoo too,cause surveys have it rated 7 out of 10 hair dressers recommending it…………hahaha well they would be the crap hair dressers,if you know about shampoo you would know Panten is full of silicon,thats what makes it so damn smooth on your hair.Silicon is crap for your hair.
Lexus make a good car, but saying they are the “benchmark” in technology, build quality and reliability ?
I seem to remember a poll from the uk published on caradvice putting not only the 3 series as the leading car, but BMW as the leading manufacture for reliability. So it’s not obviously as clear cut as some would think is it. I do believe Lexus finished 8th without a single model in the top 10.
Yeah Matty B
Coping is what the Japs have done well for decades……….and will continue to do so !
As for the 8 speed ,havent most writers that have driven the AS-IF said that the 8 speed is just a w a n k and not necessary ?
AS-IF sold out hey……..the one they had siting in a dealership in Perth must have been sold then ha……..strange the owner wasnt driving it around! When I went on the new release of the BMW M3 in November 2007 the car had already been sold out till half way through 2008.
10 a month is all they are making ? So from what you have said so far they have made 40 ? And there sold out you say till Feb ……..so how many people in the world are actually interested in buying one ? BMW sold between 1992-1999 71,242 M3s,and the current model is more popular then any previous M3 manufactured ! Will be interested to see if your iconic IS-F can ever manage to out sell the \”M\” brand ever……thats not due to marketing {Toyota is the king of that} its due to 20 years of winning races and being the worlds most awarded engine ever.
Talking about winning races you think Toyota have a chance this year ?????????? Based on what ? Getting on the podium \”once last year\” ?
Lexus make good cars yes, but there not the best!
CA you should have put a pic up of the rear end of this car………..it is sooooooooooo ugly!
Another gem of wisdom from wheelnut…”it has a V10 so it will only be popular with the pretensious w–kers” . What? does that also apply to all owners of BMW M5, M6, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche Carrera GT , VW Towrag ect?
J.J.T Im waiting for your response to my answer this morning still !
By limiting production to 10 AS-IFs a month Lexus run the risk of losing some potential customers who aren’t prepared to wait that long for a car….its not as if they build the car from scratch now is it? If they did you could understand it – maybe! I mean there is approximately a 5 year wait for Aston Marins]
They “F” the standard IS Sedan as much as HSV do the standard Calais – that is tweak the engine suspension brakes etc.
Therefore; as Lexus have far more technology and resources than HSV they should be able to porduce the same number of cars HSV do a month if not more. shouldn’t they?
Quote [Dlr1]: Another gem of wisdom from wheelnut…”it has a V10 so it will only be popular with the pretensious w–kers” . What? does that also apply to all owners of BMW M5, M6, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche Carrera GT , VW Towrag etc?
It doesn’t necessarily apply to M5 Owners.. given the fact its a sedan its alot more practical and versatile not to mention easier to drive and park than a number of other V10s available
This car screams “look at me” – as if the owner is compensating for something…. whereas the M5 is very subtle sedate and stealthy which makes it a cool car.
i would expect nothing less than that sort of reply, you couldnt possibly infer that a BMW owner was anywhere near pretentious for fear of getting offside with your better half. So owners of the other cars are still pretentious?
Or is it just that it ruins your argument that the Toyota/Lexus range is all boring when they come up with cars like this and the IS-F? I’m not going to run about and claim that they are the best cars in the world, but aren’t vehicles like this the exact thing that people bemoan that Toyota/Lexus dont sell?
Bavarain – What exactly is your gripe against Lexus except for the fact it is apart of Toyota or is that the motivation behind your critism despite the integrity of such good cars.
No matter how you view it, Lexus in such a short period has evolved to be amoung the most technologically advanced and refined automotive manufactuers that can be found anywhere in the world today and thier build quality is ‘arguably’ second to none.
In saying that – it doesn’t take away the fact that BMW, M’Benz, Audi and Jaguar are ‘great’ manufactuers themselves because only a fool would ever believe otherwise but as a so-called ‘automotive enthusiast’ as you regularly like to announce to the community only lends me to expect that you will acknowledge that Lexus has achieved quite alot in thier first 20 years which raises the question … how much will they achieve in the next 20 years ????
With the introduction of the IS-F which is damn fine motor vehilce may i add and soon to be the LF-A, it effectively ushers-in a new era for Lexus and that is effectively moving forward and developing more inspiring cars upon the strong base they have established themselves upon.
Bare in mind – BMW, M’Benz and Jaguar have been around for many years and much longer then Lexus but as i stated, what the premium brand of Toyota has been able to achieve and became globally recognised (and respected) for is nothing short of remarkable.
With referance to sales, correct me if i wrong but you often state yourself that greater sales doesn’t neccessary equate to better cars because as good as BMW is at engineering good engines and ‘tidy handlers’ … thier build quality and even reliability / dependability has all-to-often come under question not to mention Lexus and Audi have demonstrated how ‘overpriced’ BMW and M’Benz are.
All-in-all, BMW remains the leader in many engineering avenues but Lexus has undeniably re-established new benchmarks especially were build quality, refinement and technology including hybrid drivetrains is concerned while improving year on year in other areas such as handling and obviously releasing competitive sports / performance cars.
In conclusion, you can be assured Lexus will continue to be aggressive over the next 20 years as much as they been in thier first 20.
As for your comment about Toyota / Lexus are copiers, every company in the world is (to a degree) and every piece of merchandise every produced after the original has been nothing but a copy which means because Ford was the first company to make a V8 – everyone else there-after has been a ‘copier’ including BMW and the list can endlessly continue.
Cheers
BM knows that there are a number of BMWs that I don’t particularly like and she has no problem with that – just as I know that there are a few Holdens that she doesn’t like; that’s okay too.. even I admit Holden have released a few shockers – virtually everyone has.
But just as [according to a number of articles I've read]the IS-F gives the impression that its trying just a little to hard to impress… although it comes close to equalling the Germans its spoiled by a number of issues such as the suspension – it doesn’t need to be that stiff
Unfortunately the the LF-A appears to do the same thing. It’s trying to be different to stand out from the crowd of other performance coupes most of which are now V8s.
The V10 is simply overkill and just like Lamborghini owners very few are ever going to be able to experience the full potential of such an aweome engine.
Wheelnut – Lexus resources and technology allows them to engineer a range of highly competitive prestige vehicles that are sold throughout the world.
Lexus sells approx 25 000 units a month in a single market alone (US) whereas HSV would manufactuer less then 1/2 of that in an entire year.
ps. if you don’t thing the LF-A is not stealthy then you truely are being arrogant against Lexus !!!!
The M5 is subtle sedate and stealthy because overall it look s just like a normal BMW 5 series sedan.. mind you most high performance euros are like that
This is austentatious; ugly and over the top it sticks out like dogs balls because [unlike the IS-F] for example it doesn’t look like any other car in the Lexus range.
Therefore; people who buy such a car want people to look at them; they want to be the centrre of attention; they have an insecurity complex; they are pretentious
Wheelnut – trying hard or not doesn’t demise the fact that the IS-F is an extremely competitive package and although it may not quite be on par with the M3, it certainly is not far of the mark either.
Considering BMW has been making road going cars for many generations, Lexus’s first attempt is a remarkably good achievement and certainly establishes themselves a solid platform for continued development with subsequent releases of facelifts and new models.
As for a stiff suspension … how would you ever know for yourself if you haven’t even shot gun in one let alone driven an example.
With referance to the LF-A, if you don’t believe the styling is unique and perhaps even individual then once again, you demonstrate arrogance and probably for no apparent reason but for the fact it is a Lexus yet if it was developed by any other then you probably would look upon it with a whole different attitude.
As for potential to use the power, are you deadset serious fella – correct me if i am wrong (don’t bother, i’m not) but the true potential of any performance car no matter who it comes from is wasted unless tested on a track or illegally so how possibly can the LF-A be warranted any more critism then anything else ????
You frequently harp on about how wonderful a huge array of ‘mean machines’ are yet pass comment the V10 in the LF-A is wasted … how is it possibly any different ?????
Wheelnut – people buy cars like the LF-A because they can.
Imagine:
You pull up next to the lights in something like this with wings and things bolted onto it.. and there wouldn’t be that many people take you on because they know that they are most likely going to get nailed [depending whether or not the driver is as good as the car]
So when you win the 400m drag its going to be a hollow victory
Whereas when you pull at the lights in an M5 there would be a more than few drivers willing to take you on because there are only a few SUBTLE visible cues which differentiate it from a 5 series.
Remember when a car is next to you; they can’t see the M badge on the boot
Its only after they take off and get a slight lead that you can unleash the power of Ms awesome engineering and blow tem away… they didn’t expect to lose Thereby making the victory so much sweeter.
Having said that performance isn’t all about straight line speed it also depends on how the car transfers the power to the gtround how it goes around corners and how it stops.. all of which BMW are experts at – the complete package.
What is my gripe against Lexus……..not as much as a gripe at the car but the sheer arrogence of it supporters like Toyota that think the brand is superior to its rivals.
Im merely pointing Dingo that its no where as good as you proclaim,I thought by you bringing up the whole JD Powers thing showed you that ! Lexus may have beaten BMW and Merc in the Poverty pac range in that “SURVEY” but most of that attributed to the fact its nothing to do with build quality but options that come standard on Lexus …..its a well known fact BMW are the king of options!
Mid range and top of the range in that Survey was taken out by BMW and Merc……….
So whats your gripe against the Germans ? They are the bench mark that Lexus follow,always have been !
Like the Italians have been in Supercars……..
Germans have recalls……yeah but nowhere as many it seems as Lexus has had over the last few years.
So if there making 10 a month of the IS-F there obviously isnt a great demand ??? mmmmmmmm
Problem is with Lexus it has no self identity………you look at BMWs M1 and you can tell its a BMW you look at Lexus’s and the LF-A there is no similarities….nothing flows from any other model previous or present.
Quote [JJT]: With referance to the LF-A, if you don’t believe the styling is unique and perhaps even individual then once again, you demonstrate arrogance and probably for no apparent reason but for the fact it is a Lexus yet if it was developed by any other then you probably would look upon it with a whole different attitude.
Aaaahhh no – I don’t like the look of the New Cadillacs either, yet going by your “logic” I should absolutely love Cadillac as they are owned by GM who also owns Holden.. in the same way Toyota owns Lexus and Scion etc.. But no
Even if the LF-A car had a GM badge I wold still hate it same applies if it had a BMW badge.
However my point wa that the LF-A is too different.. which could affect its popularity [only time will tell]
However; performance cars from BMW Merc Benz and Porsche for example are popular and desirable because the current model doesn’t look that much different from previous models..
People look at an M3 and they know its a BMW whereas people wiould look at this and think what the F–k is that.
Just as they did with the AU Falcon
As for potential to use the power, are you deadset serious fella – correct me if i am wrong (don’t bother, i’m not) but the true potential of any performance car no matter who it comes from is wasted unless tested on a track or illegally so how possibly can the LF-A be warranted any more critism then anything else ????
I accept that However if you can’t experience the full potential of say a V8 Aston Martin Vantage or an M3 or even an IS-F why would the average motorist bother with a V10 Lamborghini or LF-A..
Particularly as very few premium perfromance cars that are so highly engineered with V8s or V10s are “comfortable” plodding around town at 60Km/h in stop start traffic – unlike say an HSV. I mean when was the last time you saw a Veyron driving down George St Sydney?
These days given the power that a modern 4 or 6 cylinder can produce a V10 is almost superfluous [look it up] yet a v8 is still somewhat relevant as it can provide that extra pulling power for towing etc.
Eitherway there are a few
Bavarian – no body has ever stated that Lexus is superior to it’s rivals but merely that t is a highly competitive manufactuer of prestige motor vehicles just like BMW, M’Benz, Audi and Jaguar and they are as good as claimed just be recognised in the fashion they are.
They are all ‘GREAT’ companies making ‘GREAT’ cars and all of them have thier individual strenghths and weaknesses.
With regards to the German benchmarking, you keep going on about them as the benchmark for everything but truth be told, they’re not. As for engineering damn fine engines and ‘tidy handlers’ then i guess they are but they certainly don’t set the mark for build quality, technology, refinement and defantly not reliability or dependability.
They each have thier own vulnerabilities as much as strenghths while if my memeory serves me correct Lexus has only had 2 recalls in recent years. I may be wrong on that but of the top of my head that’s what i recall.
As for the IS-F … demand in Oz is infact higher then 10 units per month (well, certainly before the global downturn anyway) and even Lexus Australia passed comment that the quoter won’t even come close to satisfying demand.
Infact, that is pretty much the same with the LS600hl of which i believe Australia only receives 12 units annually and 7 of those in 2008 were sold out at the very beginning of the year. So much for teh rest of the year
Why such restraints in Oz … who knows but i know thing for sure, it p*sses me off because it appears other markets take preferance over us Aussies.
As for indentity, you are partially correct but how does that not make a great car in it’s own rights ??
BMW has stuck with a similar front design for generations and certainly identifiable but personally i find thier interior designs particularly the dash rather aged and dated, even in thier latest models.
Each for thier own and just like BMW, ‘Benz, Audi and Jaguar – Lexus offers it’s selection and not such a shabby one at that.
Quote [You Know Who] ps. if you don’t thing the LF-A is not stealthy then you truely are being arrogant against Lexus !!!!
FYI Stealth means to take by surprise; be undetected [like the stealth jet fighter].
Can you honestly say that this car is able to drive by down the main street or wherever and be undetected?
Wheelnut – by all means i like Lexus and i certainly have a growing appreciation towards Audi aswell but 3 models in the Lexus range that does absolutely nothing for me and they are the ES, SC and GX with is essentially a rejigged Prado powered by a 4.7 v8
Personally, the ES is just downright ugly, the SC is a dud and why even bother with the GX. Oh yeah, the new IS-C is ugly aswell.
However … the IS, GS, LS, RX and LX are units i actually appreciate and certainly the new LF-A while the upcoming HS250h will nodoubt be a relatively popular addition.
And before i forget, the new upcoming RX is a hit and miss with me but i’m sure it will eventually grow on me. I actually don’t mind the side and rear profile or even the interior but the front is just so Camry like – should have done it differently !!
Engineering points i don’t like about Lexus and that is mainly thier softish suspension calibration although the regular IS, IS-F and LF-A add a different dimension to the more subtle setups.
Cheers Big Ears
Wheelnut – i kinda understand what you are saying and agree but stealth also means steamlined and added efficency against resistance.
Put it this way, the LF-A certainly wouldn’t go unmissed down a street and that is exactly the whole purpose of the car.
Doesn’t Streamined mean streamlined….? – Or Aerodynamic
Wheelnut – yeah it does.
What a laugh – the majority of comments posted on this blog are by Holden Spokesman Wheelnut, and Schoolgirl Bavarian missile. Pathetic losers!!!
Are you two related? Or the same person?
BM, your grammar and sentence structure clearly shows you’re uneducated. And your tirade against Lexus build quality shows how much you really know. They may not build the best driver’s cars, but Lexus can put them together better than anyone else.
And Wheelnut, please stop talking about the M5 like you know the car. I drive one every day. It’s leagues ahead of anything out of the 100% American owned and Australian taxpayer funded Holden factory.
Realist – if you read my comments properly you would realise that I think that the M5 is the exception to the rule because its more practical versatile and unlike the LF-Aand the other V10 monsters it’s stealthily designed..
Realist……you dont like what I have to say then dont read it ,simple as that even you can understand that cant you…….still nothing constructive to say?
Do you have any automotive knowledge? Seems all you do on this site is correct peoples grammar quote them and post a personal comment and against them ,its nothing to do with cars.
Im yet to to see you post anything constructive or informative !
At least Dingo comments on what he believes in you just argue for the case of arguing with certain people on this site! Grow up !
M5 owner………..hahaha
Should I report Realist for stalking Wheelnut JasonP Richo and myself………..seems thats whom you target ! Hell why not !
Bavarian Missile (.)(.) Says:
January 24th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
“Grow up !”
I’m in fits of laughter now…!