Lexus LFA at 2010 AIMS

The LFA, which is purpose built to lift Lexus' profile as a serious manufacturer of luxury high end vehicles. Additionally its a "watch-out" to the Europeans who for so long have dominated the Supercar segment without a real challenger (Nissan GT-R aside).

According to Lexus, the LF-A is 65 percent composed of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) body and 35 percent aluminium. That means it weighs a good 100kg less than if it was built via conventional means, it also means the 412kW (at 8700rpm) and 480Nm (at 6800rpm) from the 4.8-litre V10 catapults the LFA from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds. From there it can reach a top speed of 325km/h.

To keep the Lexus LFA exclusive, Toyota's luxury arm will only built 500 units over the next two years, that equates to about 20 per month.

Much like its European rivals, the LFA will be mostly handmade and highly customizable. It will also come with a unique plaque showcasing its build number. Furthermore and to take something out Aston Martin's handbook, each engine will bear the assembler’s signature.

Some interesting facts about the V10 engine: it delivers 90 percent of its torque at just 3,700rpm; it redlines at 9,000 rpm; it can go from idle to redline in 0.6 seconds and Lexus picked it over a V8 because it wanted the car to scream.

If you're wondering why it didn't go for a V12 setup (as you would expect from supercars these days), Lexus says it was a decision made based on weight and that makes sense, given the LFA has a near perfect 50:50 front:rear weight distribution.

As for transmission, there is only one choice. A six-speed automated sequential gearbox. Unfortunately there is no dual-clutch transmission, although we suspect it may not need it, given that it change gears (via the paddle shifters) in 0.2 of a second. If you want to have some fun, you can pick from one of the four modes: ‘auto’, ‘normal’, ‘sport’ and ‘wet’.

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