Lexus LF-A prototype enters the ‘Ring
April 21, 2009 by George Skentzos
Imagine the reaction from Lexus when fellow Japanese car maker Nissan announced the staggering lap time set by its GT-R supercar, instantly raising the bar for the brand’s upcoming LF-A competitor.
Considering the LF-A is yet to make its showroom debut it is safe to assume Lexus is not yet satisfied with the car’s performance, although as a part of its ongoing R&D process Lexus will field a prototype at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race.
Lexus engineers would be all-too familiar with the ‘Green Hell’, having spent countless hours developing the car on the grueling circuit with this latest opportunity allowing them to exploit the grueling race to gather technical data for the production version.
The company will also use the event as an opportunity to develop human resources by giving young mechanics the chance to work as support staff.
Using a front-mid-engine layout, the prototype features a 4.8-litre V10 engine classed as ‘close-to-production’ which develops over 365kW, mated to a paddle-shift sequential manual transmission.
Modifications for the race include safety equipment (roll cage, fuel tank, etc.), as well as a spoiler and other aerodynamic features.
The development team has improved the LF-A’s performance with fine-tuning based on experience gained in last year’s, race while specifications for the engine, powertrain, and body structure remain largely unchanged.
Print it: 
Hope its better than their F1 efforts. Isn’t LFA having a laugh.
The front of that thing looks an awful lot like a squared off 370z. And it looks tired somehow, not the design, literally the car looks tired.
The problem with this car is that it may be the best thing in the world for all I care, being a Lexus, it will have no soul, no character and a super car needs that. The Porsche 911 has character because although it’s all shiny, well built and German it has so much heritage and there’s still a lot of the original 911 in it. The Audi R8 on the other hand may be one of the best super cars on the market but it’s so cold. The Nissan GT-R is the same. And that’s why I would always take a Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini or an Aston Martin over something like this.
At least a Lexus super car will get some of the boring old men out of the previously mentioned brands and make it more cool for the rest of us.
wow, it looks marvelous
Yeh I know Lester, Good on em. Twas just trying to invigorate a Toyota ruckus!!
i thought it was a 370z for a sec then i was like no wait the light don’t look like that. looks pretty effing awesome.
i bet toyota wish they made the gt-r
No Yanzo…
Toyota made the Supra… not the GTR…
Im assuming you know a little bit about japanese sports/performance car history…
Nissan had the Skyline GTR… Toyota had the Supra… Honda had the NSX etc…everyone even my grandma knows that.
Read again Lukaas?
“i bet toyota wish they made the gt-r ” – Yanzo
I’m guessing you just misread what Yanzo said.
Lester’s post got removed? (It seemed fine to me?)
As for the car, I think it posted one of the fastest (if not the fastest?) unofficial lap time of a production (well so to speak) car around the ‘Ring?
That can only be good news, I just hope the experience behind the wheel backs up these figures.
Hhahah cupid ,nice one ,wheres dan , wheelbearing and (.)(.) , so bloody quiet , last two must be on school hols.
Theres no oopph laterly , since dan was excommunicated .
This car has been in concept phase for many years now. Just release it already Lexus!
“cupid stunt” your not very up to date with F1 are you! this year toyota are doing very well 3rd in fact way ahead of bmw & ferrari on points and 2 top 3 finishs after 3 races! do some more homework next time!
As I have previously stated, this thing in person in Melbs 2009 was STUNNING. Its a concept, and therefore people shouldn’t have an opinion because it’ll never be released as it is, they always make changes before production.
Lexus, PUT IT INTO PRODUCTION!
I think its funny in the new RX ad they say “We’ve never been so close to perfection.” What a load of crap! You cannot build something that looks like THAT and say its close to perfection. Lexus people must be friggin blind, none of their cars (maybe bar the GS and IS series) are good-looking or exciting!
I think it’s stunning in the photos.
Whether they’ll have the minerals to build it is another thing, especially here in Europe with the motoring press so strongly supporting stuff like M3, Aston, Porsche etc.
I think they should build it, go GT racing with it and get out there at Le Mans 2010.
Well the LFA is competing next month at the Nurburgring.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/200.....-24h-race/
Jake02,
So your saying a twin-turbo Lexus Soarer is no fun to drive? :p
OK yer maybe I should clarify that, I meant current on-sale right-now range is exciting/good looking (bar the GS/IS). Terribly sorry Howie-R31:S even though the Soarer was the Toyota version (and developed before Lexus badges were applied) the Lexus was the SC (like the current version, which is just awful).
Beautiful. Hopefully they manage to make it not sound like a ricer, like most Japanese companies do. Real sports car enthusiats are going to stick with.