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Motor Authority - blog Category: Lexus

  • Lexus LFA: Hotrod Or Failwagen?

    Lexus LFA: Hotrod Or Failwagen? October 28th, 2009 By Richard Read's avatar Richard Read, Author, October 28th, 2009 Richard Read 11 Comments

    Lexus LFA: Hotrod Or Failwagen?

    The Lexus LFA has been a hot topic since its unveiling at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show last week. On the one hand, it's got some impressive engineering stats. On the other hand, the limited-edition supercar has taken heat for not being more like other high-end models: reviewers here and elsewhere have critcized the LFA for not living up to Ferraris, Porsches, or the much, much cheaper (and arguably better looking) Nissan GT-R.

    Like many of you, we're divided on the matter. We appreciate Toyota's desire to expand the Lexus product line, but we question the wisdom in this economy. (Though this might be an attempt to address the fact that "Toyota...

    The Lexus LFA has been a hot topic since its unveiling at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show last week. On the one hand, it's got some impressive engineering stats. On the other hand, the limited-edition supercar has taken heat for not being more like other high-end models: reviewers here and elsewhere have critcized the LFA for not living up to Ferraris, Porsches, or the much, much cheaper (and arguably better looking) Nissan GT-R. Like many of you, we're divided on the matter. We appreciate Toyota's desire to expand the Lexus product line, but we question the wisdom in this economy. (Though this might be an attempt to address the fact that "Toyota is a good car but not exciting".)  We're also a little concerned by photos like the one above that have popped up on Lexus fan sites, highlighting elements like the carbon fiber featured throughout much of the LFA's body. CF may improve weight, and it may play well with the fanboys, but it feels distinctly un-Lexus. Maybe we'll change our opinions after a test drive, but for now, it seems like the LFA is trying a little too hard to fit in with the cool kids. [LexusEnthusiast] Read More

  • Fox Marketing Rolls Out Supercharged 2010 Lexus IS 350C

    Fox Marketing Rolls Out Supercharged 2010 Lexus IS 350C October 27th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 27th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Fox Marketing Rolls Out Supercharged 2010 Lexus IS 350C

    As the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas draws near, more details of the cars that will be on show start to trickle out.

    Just yesterday we saw what the Blue Oval has planned for its own Ford and Lincoln brands and today we have a preview of what’s destined to be one of the hottest cars on show in Vegas, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C by Fox Marketing.

    The Texas-based tuner is no stranger to the Lexus IS range, having already modified a 2009 Lexus IS-F to the tune of 600 horsepower. For the IS 350C, however, Fox Marketing has gone for a milder 405 horsepower output, which is brought about with the addition...

    As the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas draws near, more details of the cars that will be on show start to trickle out. Just yesterday we saw what the Blue Oval has planned for its own Ford and Lincoln brands and today we have a preview of what’s destined to be one of the hottest cars on show in Vegas, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C by Fox Marketing. The Texas-based tuner is no stranger to the Lexus IS range, having already modified a 2009 Lexus IS-F to the tune of 600 horsepower. For the IS 350C, however, Fox Marketing has gone for a milder 405 horsepower output, which is brought about with the addition of a supercharger running at just 6 psi. Other performance modifications include 14 inch Lexus F-Sport brakes with six piston calipers, adjustable coilover suspension and a brace. The wheels are 20 inch forged units wrapped with Toyo tires. To set the car apart from the standard IS C, Fox Marketing also added a cream white interior, a striking green paint scheme, and a full bodykit with fender flares and carbon-fiber accessories. The 2009 SEMA Auto Show will kick off on November 3 in Las Vegas. [Fox Marketing] Read More

  • Lexus Working On Stripped-Down Track-Day LFA?

    Lexus Working On Stripped-Down Track-Day LFA? October 23rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 23rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 4 Comments

    Lexus Working On Stripped-Down Track-Day LFA?

    There's no doubt that Lexus was completely serious about building a supercar when it went about designing the LFA. With 552 horsepower, a singing 9,000 rpm V-10 engine and a $375,000 price tag, the car is every inch the Ferrari or Lamborghini competitor. But already talk of an even more focused, unrestrained version is making the rounds.

    Paul Williamsen, National Manager of Lexus College, revealed to Autoblog's Damon Lavrinc that the company is considering a stripped-down focused track version of the LFA, not unlike the Scuderia version of the Ferrari F430 or the Super Veloce/Superleggera Lamborghinis.

    If Lexus does move forward with the...

    There's no doubt that Lexus was completely serious about building a supercar when it went about designing the LFA. With 552 horsepower, a singing 9,000 rpm V-10 engine and a $375,000 price tag, the car is every inch the Ferrari or Lamborghini competitor. But already talk of an even more focused, unrestrained version is making the rounds. Paul Williamsen, National Manager of Lexus College, revealed to Autoblog's Damon Lavrinc that the company is considering a stripped-down focused track version of the LFA, not unlike the Scuderia version of the Ferrari F430 or the Super Veloce/Superleggera Lamborghinis. If Lexus does move forward with the track-day LFA, it will deduct them from the 500-unit cap on production--it will simply be an optional configuration when ordering. Considering the ultimate purpose of many, if not most, LFAs will be hot lapping on open track days--these will almost certainly be third, fourth, and even 20th cars for most buyers--it makes a lot of sense to offer a factory-prepped special. It could also help bridge the gap between Lexus's earlier plans to build a limited number of the cars for a spec series and the current plans to limit production strictly. Private race teams could buy the track-spec LFAs to use as they wish, with most of the prep already subsumed in the price. Considering the car has adjustable suspension in standard form, a curb weight just over 3,200 pounds and its massive power output, it's not far from being race-worthy as it sits. Subtracting some unnecessary interior and electronic equipment, and adding some safety features is about all it would take. The decision isn't yet final, according to the report, but it almost makes too much sense not to do. [Autoblog] Read More

  • Double Video: Live Unveiling Of The 2011 Lexus LF-A Plus Promo Video

    Double Video: Live Unveiling Of The 2011 Lexus LF-A Plus Promo Video October 21st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 21st, 2009 Nelson Ireson 4 Comments

    Double Video: Live Unveiling Of The 2011 Lexus LF-A Plus Promo Video

    The idea of an exciting car coming out of the halls of the Toyota/Lexus complex is, for the most part, only a dim memory. The IS-F is a fun and entertaining car, but not truly high-performance--for more on why, read my review. But the new 2011 LF-A, with its 552-horsepower V-10 engine, 5.8-pounds-per-horsepower power-to-weight ratio and 48:52 front-to-rear weight balance hits all the right numbers.

    It hits a lot of the right notes, too, as you'll hear in these videos, particularly the first, which features a fair bit of hard revving before the car's unveiling as it happened just a short while ago in Tokyo.

    The second video shows off what...

    The idea of an exciting car coming out of the halls of the Toyota/Lexus complex is, for the most part, only a dim memory. The IS-F is a fun and entertaining car, but not truly high-performance--for more on why, read my review. But the new 2011 LF-A, with its 552-horsepower V-10 engine, 5.8-pounds-per-horsepower power-to-weight ratio and 48:52 front-to-rear weight balance hits all the right numbers. It hits a lot of the right notes, too, as you'll hear in these videos, particularly the first, which features a fair bit of hard revving before the car's unveiling as it happened just a short while ago in Tokyo. The second video shows off what appears to be an as-yet unreleased official promo for the car, likely one of the first made-for-TV advertisements that will preview the LF-A as it coasts through 2010 on pre-orders. Assembly of the new LF-A supercar will start next December, with delivery taking place over the ensuing 24 months. Only 500 of the $375,000 cars will be built. The LF-A will make its U.S. debut next month at the 2009 SEMA tradeshow in Las Vegas, and then again at December's Los Angeles Auto Show, which is open to the public. [Lexus and YouTube via Carscoop] Official Live Tokyo Motor Show Unveiling of the 2011 Lexus LF-A supercar Leaked 2011 Lexus LF-A Promo Video Read More

  • 2011 Lexus LFA Preview

    2011 Lexus LFA Preview October 20th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 20th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 9 Comments

    2011 Lexus LFA Preview

    We've been spying the 2011 Lexus LFA, off and on, for over a year. We've seen it testing all over Europe. It's even contested the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in race car form--twice. But today the car was revealed during a brief test drive in Miami just before its official unveiling, which takes place this week at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

    The car has been in development for the past nine years, during which time a total of three different concepts have been revealed. Output will come from a 4.8-liter 72-degree V-10 engine and peaks at 552-horsepower at a lofty 8,700 rpm and 354-pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. Best of all, the car’s...

    We've been spying the 2011 Lexus LFA, off and on, for over a year. We've seen it testing all over Europe. It's even contested the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in race car form--twice. But today the car was revealed during a brief test drive in Miami just before its official unveiling, which takes place this week at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The car has been in development for the past nine years, during which time a total of three different concepts have been revealed. Output will come from a 4.8-liter 72-degree V-10 engine and peaks at 552-horsepower at a lofty 8,700 rpm and 354-pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. Best of all, the car’s sonorous V-10 will happily spin all the way to a 9,000 rpm redline. To achieve this level of performance, engineers have beefed up the engine with titanium valves and connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, a dry sump lubrication system and a titanium exhaust manifold. Each car is to be hand-built at a dedicated "LF-A Works" facility in Japan. Intensive weight-saving techniques have also been employed, including the use of lightweight carbon-fiber for 65% of the car’s body. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox and a Torsen limited slip differential. Performance should be scintillating, expect 0 to 60 mph times of around 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 201.94 mph. The end result is an almost perfect 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution and a final kerb weight of 3,263 pounds, equivalent to a power-to-weight ratio of 5.8 pounds/horsepower. Other details include six-piston brake calipers with carbon-ceramic discs, titanium mufflers, and 20-inch BBS wheels shod with ZR20 Bridgestone tires--all fitted as standard. Limited production is the name of the game, with only 500 units planned unless demand proves high enough to support more, though it carries a manufacturer's recommended price of about $375,000. Worse still, only 350 of them will be made in left-hand-drive for worldwide consumption. Though this may seem low, remember that a roadster and hybrid variant are also in the works. Production will start in December of 2010, with delivery taking place over the next two years. Read More

  • Lexus LF-A Leaked Ahead Of Tokyo Debut

    Lexus LF-A Leaked Ahead Of Tokyo Debut October 20th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, October 20th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    Lexus LF-A Leaked Ahead Of Tokyo Debut

    We've been spying the 2011 Lexus LF-A, off and on, for over a year. We've seen it testing all over Europe. It's even contested the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in race car form--twice. But today the car was revealed during a brief test drive in Miami just before its official unveiling, due this week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

    A video, recorded and released by Chris Gommeren, a Belgian journalist who recently previewed the 2011 LF-A, depicts the car both on track and in what look like official studio shots, with the car's V-10 exhaust note overlaid all the while.

    Despite the somewhat perplexing arrangement of three tailpipes for the 10-cylinder...

    We've been spying the 2011 Lexus LF-A, off and on, for over a year. We've seen it testing all over Europe. It's even contested the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in race car form--twice. But today the car was revealed during a brief test drive in Miami just before its official unveiling, due this week at the Tokyo Motor Show. A video, recorded and released by Chris Gommeren, a Belgian journalist who recently previewed the 2011 LF-A, depicts the car both on track and in what look like official studio shots, with the car's V-10 exhaust note overlaid all the while. Despite the somewhat perplexing arrangement of three tailpipes for the 10-cylinder engine, the note does sound particularly pleasing. And the design is undeniably sleek, though it also appears to be, in the mode of the Nissan GT-R, enormous--like a 150% scale model of a typical sports car. But that's not enough to stop Lexus and Toyota fans, especially those who've desperately longed for a revival of the Supra, from loving every giant inch of the car. Check out the video below, and see where you fall on the fanboy (or girl) spectrum. Once it debuts later this week, the Lexus LF-A is expected to hit production sometime next year, though only about 500 units are expected to be built. That's just as well, since it will likely cost about $200,000. [NAGTROC Via Jalopnik] Read More

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