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Lexus LF-A supercar to cost more than $200K

Lexus LF-A supercar to cost more than $200K

Viknesh Vijayenthiran May 21st, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author May 21st, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Lexus will give us our first taste of its new LF-A supercar this weekend at the Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge in Germany where a race-prepped version will be competing. However, the final production version isn’t set to arrive until late next year and actual specifications for the car are still hard to come by. Most reports suggest the car will feature a 5.0L V10 engine with at least 500hp, although there are suggestions a hybrid V8 variant will also be offered. The car’s body and interior will also feature extensive use of carbon-fiber as revealed in the spy images below and this is expected to push the cost of the LF-A into the supercar realm. Speaking with Edmunds, Lexus corporate product planning manager Ben Mitchell confirmed the price of the car would “begin with a two.” An inside source has also stated that the final price is likely to be closer to $225,000. A planed convertible roadster will most certainly cost even more. At this price level, the LF-A will be up against supercars like the Ferrari F430 - listed at $211,525 - however its availability will likely be much higher than the Italian exotic, which can command waiting lists of several years in some markets. Lexus LF-A interior spy shots Lexus LF-A spy shots The latest in high performance car news. // By use of this code snippet, I agree to the Brightcove Publisher T and C // found at http://corp.brightcove.com/legal/terms_publisher.cfm. var config = new Array(); /* * feel free to edit these configurations * to modify the player experience */ config["videoId"] = null; //the default video loaded into the player config["videoRef"] = null; //the default video loaded into the player by ref id specified in console config["lineupId"] = null; //the default lineup loaded into the player config["playerTag"] = null; //player tag used for identifying this page in brightcove reporting config["autoStart"] = false; //tells the player to start playing video on load config["preloadBackColor"] = "#FFFFFF"; //background color while loading the player /* do not edit these config items */ config["playerId"] = 1541138685; config["width"] = 510; config["height"] = 550; createExperience(config, 8); Lexus LF-A carbon-fiber cabinLexus LF-A
Lexus LF-A supercar to cost more than $200K

Lexus LF-A supercar to cost more than $200K

Enlarge Photo

Lexus will give us our first taste of its new LF-A supercar this weekend at the Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge in Germany where a race-prepped version will be competing. However, the final production version isn’t set to arrive until late next year and actual specifications for the car are still hard to come by.

Most reports suggest the car will feature a 5.0L V10 engine with at least 500hp, although there are suggestions a hybrid V8 variant will also be offered. The car’s body and interior will also feature extensive use of carbon-fiber as revealed in the spy images below and this is expected to push the cost of the LF-A into the supercar realm.

Speaking with Edmunds, Lexus corporate product planning manager Ben Mitchell confirmed the price of the car would “begin with a two.” An inside source has also stated that the final price is likely to be closer to $225,000. A planed convertible roadster will most certainly cost even more.

At this price level, the LF-A will be up against supercars like the Ferrari F430 - listed at $211,525 - however its availability will likely be much higher than the Italian exotic, which can command waiting lists of several years in some markets.

Lexus LF-A interior spy shots

Lexus LF-A spy shots



The latest in high performance car news.



Lexus LF-A carbon-fiber cabin
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Lexus LF-A
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Tags: Supercars

Posted in: Lexus, News


Comments (24 total)

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  1. By chris #1, Posted: 5/21/2008

    the only way that a lexus would be worth paying more for a ferrari with similar performance is if the components were more readily available (read: cheaper) so that when it does break, you're not paying out the sphincter. also, a little more durable of a product would probably help.

    as far as the styling is concerned... I still don't think I like it. as far as a two seat sports car, it's not bad, but personally i'd rather be seen in a pony or muscle car. Even a corvette.

    The real question is, why would you buy one of these when you could have two ZR-1's?

  2. By admin #2, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Chris - can you do us a favor and send us your email contact through our Contact Form located here - http://www.motorauthority.com/contactus
    Thanks

  3. By vb #3, Posted: 5/21/2008

    I'm pretty sure this thing will be more reliable than a ferrari, but that's still a hell of a pricetag. More than just a next gen Supra...

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Admin: done. but every time I've done it, i get the same response:

    Contact us
    Posted on Thursday 22 June 2006
    Thanks for your comments!


    Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


    ....am I going on the payroll? ;) you'd never believe it but I DO have a day job... for which I'm at right now.


    vb; exactly. If it doesnt spend half of its life in a shop like other cars like this, (AHEM FERRARI) then it will sell well.

  5. By burke #5, Posted: 5/21/2008

    I saw a video of the car as it was being tested around Nurburgring, and it performed like a genuine supercar. It reminds me of an Aston Martin V12, and the price is very similar too.

  6. By Skeletor #6, Posted: 5/21/2008

    I am guessing this is meant to be a low production car that way when they sell very few & they still exclaim 'we met our sales goals!' Think LS & GS hybrid. Then again, w/ the economy so bad & gas prices what they are, even people that can afford this might pause.

  7. By chris #7, Posted: 5/21/2008

    skeletor; you may find it hard to believe but people who actually have money... I mean, fairly liquid money, to the point where they'd consider this kind of car, will never notice an "economic downturn". I mean don't get me wrong, they know its happening because their stock options aren't returning as much as they would have hoped for, but even if this car came out in the middle of an "economic downturn" then it would still be snatched up. seeing as it wont be out for another 18 months, you can expect the "downturn" to be over or close to over, and even the Mr. Joe Averages of the world who think they have money will surely be trying to buy one too.

  8. By Ayax #8, Posted: 5/21/2008

    The supercar market is actually booming, lost of people have money and lots have the cash to pay that much , even if "its just a lexus" and for the novelty of it, its kinda hard that a car like that will fail on sales.. honestly..

  9. By bc #9, Posted: 5/21/2008

    too pricey

  10. By ohmy #10, Posted: 5/21/2008

    I think its too pricey, especially the likes of a 911 turbo and ferrari.
    It better have performance that rivals those cars, not necessarily beat those cars but be competitive.

    The new pics of the car make it look like a shorter flatten out 350z.

    Im sure Gus will agree with me, we'll see that car a lot down here in newport beach/SoCal.

  11. By MyWheelsOnWalls.com #11, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Interesting way of doing things. When they first launched the LS 400 they offered a tremendous amount of car and undercut the competion by thousands and now with this they are jumping straight into the game.

    Although the waiting list and cost of ownership on something Italian is a considerable amount more.

    What I do find interesting though is that demograhic does not mind the waiting list as its all part of being exclusive and buying into a particular club of ownership. Having unlimited supply and a lot full of cars to choose from may not bode well for Lexus.

    Have they got it wrong this time? we'll see....

  12. By Minizzle #12, Posted: 5/21/2008

    This car better be worth the 200k or its gonna be shot down by the press

  13. By C6R #13, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Wrong move Toyota, really...
    Rich people are not stupid... who would buy this over a Ferrari 430 Scuderia?

  14. By bambam #14, Posted: 5/22/2008

    Its not the best choice to buy, i prefer the corvette and this does not mean its not going to sell.
    The market there will have plenty of people wanting one but its not really going to be a Wow.
    more like the Lexus IS250 or 350. Corvette cheaper and looks better.
    I agree with everyone here but the market is huge in that area.

  15. By vb #15, Posted: 5/22/2008

    @ C6R
    People who want to use the car more than once in a while for example. Japanese supercars have always been designed with everyday drivers in mind (take the NSX for example). I guess the chances of catching fire are way lower as well.
    And as for rich people not being stupid, you know Paris Hilton don't you? There are rich people out there who would rather buy this car for 200k than for 100k just because they would prefer an expensive Lexus luxury car over a "cheap relabeled toyota".

  16. By Alan #16, Posted: 5/22/2008

    love the engine notes in that spy vid

  17. By burke #17, Posted: 5/22/2008

    I totally agree Alan...That sound is something else...If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to take the Lexus over a Ferrari F430 or a Lamborghini Gallardo...

  18. By Alan #18, Posted: 5/22/2008

    Well choosing this over 430 or Gallardo i ain't so sure about, i still doubt it's worth the money, however if they can make it handle well then it really will be the most usable supercar. Imagine supercar performance, handling and styling but with Japanese car's reliability, you really can use it everyday. And with Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R both setting new benchmarks for sports cars despite being relatively mundane brands, who knows Lexus might achieve with this.

  19. By admin #19, Posted: 5/22/2008

    Burke - the Lexus will have to be something really special to pull me away from the Gallardo. Have you see this video? Our spy video is nice, but this is fun - http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/lamborghini-looks-past-the-us-and-europe/

  20. By burke #20, Posted: 5/22/2008

    admin: The Gallardo video is awesome. I have seen others (www.vodcars.com) featuring a twin turbo Gallardo: Impressive. I also saw a Hamman Gallardo in person: Wao! But I have also seen tons of videos at YouTube about Toyota Supras beating almost every supercar (exotic or not) that has been built. When I look closely to the Lexus LF-A, I see the Toyota Supra influence just right there...I know this sounds subjective and there are no stats yet backing up. But let's look at the stats from a different angle: I don't think the Gallardo car or engine has the street racing experience that Toyotas engines have. Toyota engines have been powering race cars at almost every important car race event there is out there: Le Mans and Daytona 24 hours, Grand Prix Formula 1, Nascar (cars and trucks) Indy cars, etc. etc. etc. Craftmanship? Lexus leads by far in all categories...Again, if I had to invest in supercar reliability and performance right now, I repeat, I wouldn't hesitate putting all my money in the Lexus
    Thank you for your reply and your time!

  21. By Wizards Lore #21, Posted: 5/22/2008

    Hi admin - nice to see you joining in with the discussions...im still waiting to hear from you about my offer to help out with reviews etc.

    Wrong move Toyota, really…Rich people are not stupid… who would buy this over a Ferrari 430 Scuderia?
    I think its personal taste...i would prefer a this lexus to a Ferrari...the Ferrair engine sounds tinny and not thoraty like a v8 should be..im not talking stock car V8 but hearty enough to not sound like a lawn mower on speed like the F430 sounds at throttle. Besides, a ferrari owner is poser, wheres as a lexus owner could be described as someone of refined tastes... :-)

  22. By admin #22, Posted: 5/22/2008

    Chris - sent you an email but it looks like it was caught by the Yahoo spam filters?

    Wizards Lore - been a bit busy with the MA redevelopment at the moment and haven't had time to think about adding someone else. I'll get in touch with you in the near future.

    I don't know about a Lexus supercar. As a convertible, I'd prefer the upcoming LP560 convertible or Ferrari California. As a coupe the upcoming Merc SLC is looking pretty good. If I want performance only, the GT-R is more that capable. So where does that leave the LF-A?

  23. By burke #23, Posted: 5/23/2008

    Nobody knows about the Lexus supercar. In my opinion, the LP560 Gallardo and the Ferrari California are not bringing any novelty to the supercar market. I saw the video of the Merc SLC around Nurburgring, and to be honest, I got more impressed with the video of the Corvette ZR-1 and the new Caddy CTS-V. As per the Nissan GTR...probably the best sports cars in modern times...but too much tweaking for a 6-cylinder engine car: twin turbo, launch control, etc etc...one could anticipate significant engine and transmission wear and obviously costly repair time...

  24. By Wizards Lore #24, Posted: 5/25/2008

    cheers Admin

    Where would the LFA sit ? i think it is a viable option to a recognised supercar - Ferrari, as well as a GT like - MB SL
    I love the shape of it and the thought of a car that will never breakdown is a bonus...as well as the fact that it wont combust at the lights like another brand hahaha

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