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New info reveals Lexus LF-A will be limited to 500 units

New info reveals Lexus LF-A will be limited to 500 units

Ralph Hanson June 14th, 2009 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author June 14th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 The supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the Lexus LF-A, was recently spotted again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at October's Tokyo Motor Show, and over the weekend new information about the car has emerged, confirming much of what was already suspected. The LF-A has been spotted testing on a number of occasions, so it's well past the 'pure concept' stage, but its production future still remains murky at best. The Japanese company's investment in the LF-A at the Milan Fashion Week, however, lends credence to the idea that it is in fact going to be built, and the continuous stream of prototypes tracking the 'Ring go a step further. Last week news of a tie-up with Lotus for the next Esprit takes the production of a V10 engine into the realm of reality, and on its coattails comes a new report from Edmunds. The LF-A's powertrain has previously been speculated as a 5.0L V10 engine rated at over 500hp (373kW), and the latest report says it will be over 550hp (410kW) and capable of a top speed of 218mph. Limited production is also the name of the game, with only about 500 units expected unless demand proves high enough to support more, though it will cost more than $200,000. Worse still, only 350 of them will be made in left-hand-drive for worldwide consumption. Other details include six-piston brake calipers with carbon-ceramic discs, titanium mufflers, a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox, and run flat Bridgestone tires – all fitted as standard. A hybrid variant should also be available, but it’s unknown how much power this version will have or what affect the heavy batteries and extra motor will have on handling and weight - or if the hybrid system will be anything more than badging and lip-service to the concept. The car's front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, should allow for excellent weight distribution, however. Lexus has previously billed the concept version of the car as having a top speed in excess of 200mph, and we have no reason to doubt the production version will reach its sales targets if sold unrestricted - whatever the state of the global economy.Lexus LF-ALexus LF-A clear display car at Milan Fashion Week
The latest prototype revealed near-production elements such as new tail-lamps and smoother body panels

The latest prototype revealed near-production elements such as new tail-lamps and smoother body panels

Enlarge Photo

The supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the Lexus LF-A, was recently spotted again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at October's Tokyo Motor Show, and over the weekend new information about the car has emerged, confirming much of what was already suspected.

The LF-A has been spotted testing on a number of occasions, so it's well past the 'pure concept' stage, but its production future still remains murky at best. The Japanese company's investment in the LF-A at the Milan Fashion Week, however, lends credence to the idea that it is in fact going to be built, and the continuous stream of prototypes tracking the 'Ring go a step further. Last week news of a tie-up with Lotus for the next Esprit takes the production of a V10 engine into the realm of reality, and on its coattails comes a new report from Edmunds.

The LF-A's powertrain has previously been speculated as a 5.0L V10 engine rated at over 500hp (373kW), and the latest report says it will be over 550hp (410kW) and capable of a top speed of 218mph. Limited production is also the name of the game, with only about 500 units expected unless demand proves high enough to support more, though it will cost more than $200,000. Worse still, only 350 of them will be made in left-hand-drive for worldwide consumption.

Other details include six-piston brake calipers with carbon-ceramic discs, titanium mufflers, a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox, and run flat Bridgestone tires – all fitted as standard.

A hybrid variant should also be available, but it’s unknown how much power this version will have or what affect the heavy batteries and extra motor will have on handling and weight - or if the hybrid system will be anything more than badging and lip-service to the concept. The car's front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, should allow for excellent weight distribution, however. Lexus has previously billed the concept version of the car as having a top speed in excess of 200mph, and we have no reason to doubt the production version will reach its sales targets if sold unrestricted - whatever the state of the global economy.
Lexus LF-A
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Lexus LF-A clear display car at Milan Fashion Week
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Tags: Spy Shots, nurburgring, V10

Posted in: Lexus, Toyota, Spy Shots


Comments (24 total)

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  1. By Strada Auto Store #1, Posted: 5/26/2008

    Thank you for the photos! It will be interesting to see the final version.

  2. By bc #2, Posted: 5/26/2008

    Cant believe the price... I would much rather have the GT-R over this (assuming you are able to get a GT-R).

  3. By Dre #3, Posted: 5/26/2008

    @bc..

    read.. "assumed to be" .....

  4. By Gus #4, Posted: 5/26/2008

    Engine bay? What engine bay? Looks like a big piece of plastic... :)

  5. By bambam #5, Posted: 5/26/2008

    We will just wait and see. it sound be good but no one expects perfect or a masterpiece

  6. By Andy #6, Posted: 5/27/2008

    I disagree bambam - many people thought the same about Nissan and then the GT-R came out and blew a lot of critics away.

    I think Toyota could have a real gem on their hands here.

  7. ma_b59 avatar by b59 #7, Posted: 11/11/2008

    This would definitely add the excitement toyota has been missing since it killed of the supra, also it should do much to establish lexus and move it away from toyota.

  8. ma_gazzed avatar by gazzed #8, Posted: 4/3/2009

    I think Toyota/Lexus had to commit the LFA for production because it was already in the works and quite heavily invested even before this financial crisis started unlike Honda's next NSX ( which was almost next to or during this crisis so Honda still had the capacity to shelve the project ).
    God or bad thing for Toyota, we'll know once it hits the showrooms and gets tested against Nissan GTR35 ( or maybe V-Spec even touted GTR/LeMans Version )

  9. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #9, Posted: 4/3/2009

    Should go with a V8, 500 from a V10 does not seem worth it for the price

  10. ma_mburleigh8 avatar by mburleigh8 #10, Posted: 4/5/2009

    looks pretty cool,
    but it also looks heavy, and a v10 isn't a good light weight option.

  11. ma_jack j. avatar by jack j. #11, Posted: 4/27/2009

    lexus has a great car here and should produce it with the v-10, At the same time, rework the front and the rear,send it to toyota with the v-8 and call it the supra. It worked for mustang and the cougar.

  12. ma_taksan avatar by taksan #12, Posted: 5/11/2009

    the exterior of the car just doesnt look like it's worth 200k

  13. ma_AutoFreak avatar by AutoFreak #13, Posted: 5/11/2009

    the exterior of the car just doesnt look like it's worth 200k

    Especially with a Lexus emblem slapped on the front...

  14. ma_diamondkfho avatar by diamondkfho #14, Posted: 5/12/2009

    For this kind of price i would rather consider a Ferrari.

  15. ma_burke avatar by burke #15, Posted: 5/12/2009

    Thinking about looks and performance, @$200,000.00, I would definitely take the Lexus LF-A over a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. If I had an Aston Martin parked in my garage, maybe I would think twice about buying the LF-A. I find them very similar

  16. ma_gazzed avatar by gazzed #16, Posted: 5/13/2009

    Best angle to view is from rear quarters with those massive exhaust ducts beneath tail light and mid mufflers.

  17. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #17, Posted: 5/13/2009

    Thinking about looks and performance, @$200,000.00, I would definitely take the Lexus LF-A over a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. If I had an Aston Martin parked in my garage, maybe I would think twice about buying the LF-A. I find them very similar

    You smoking something funny, they do not look anywhere a like

  18. ma_The Mii avatar by The Mii #18, Posted: 5/14/2009

    how can u mix up an aston with a lexus thats like mixing up angelina jolie with ellen degeneres

  19. jeff avatar by Jeff Birkeland #19, Posted: 5/27/2009

    218 is major fast -- that's all i have to say.

  20. ma_Aiman avatar by Aiman #20, Posted: 6/14/2009

    Unless it comes with a new earth breaking technology, from the looks & performance I can't see it adding anything new to this segment.

    Nowdays a door saloons can master these figures, not a $200,000 supercar.

    I fail to see what is this whole hype about? And whats with 500 units of a boring Toyota?

  21. ma_Elmo187 avatar by Elmo187 #21, Posted: 6/15/2009

    I fail to see what is this whole hype about? And whats with 500 units of a boring Toyota?

    you call it boring, yet you've never driven it or don't even know the true specs on this car yet.

  22. ma_Aiman avatar by Aiman #22, Posted: 6/15/2009

    Elmo,
    I've driven enough Toyotas (& Lexus clones) to know they are boring driven by bored people.
    Can anyone tell me whats the big deal in a 500 bhp Toyota coupe costing more than $200,000? Isn't this sector already covered by German, Brithish, and Italian cars?

  23. By Toyman #23, Posted: 8/13/2009

    It's a process, it is "the relentless pursuit of perfection: which toyota is master at. I agree that this car has no awesome, but where Porsche/Lambo/Ferrari et al bacically have one shot, LEXUS can make one and then take on what works and what doesn't and make another one. It's terminator theory they never stop they never sleep and they never give up. BTW yeah its boring for a car to work every day day after day year after year for ten years, but ppl appreciate that, my bmw has been in the shop 3 times in the last 12 months for warranty issues. Lexus is on my shopping list for next time

  24. By  Tony Dewhurst #24, Posted: 10/3/2009

    Lexus LF-a Spotted at the ring http://www.pistonspy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31%3Alexus-lf-a

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