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Spy Shots: More 2011 Lexus LF-A

 
8 21,007 views Sep 23, 2009
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Lexus LF-A spy shots

Lexus LF-A spy shots

Lexus LF-A spy shots

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The supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the 2011 Lexus LF-A, was recently spotted again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at next month's 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.

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 earlier this year 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.

The LF-A's powertrain has previously been speculated as a 5.0-liter V-10 engine rated at over 500 horsepower, and the latest report says it will be over 550 horsepower and capable of a top speed of 218 mph. 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.


HI-RES GALLERY: Lexus LF-A spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Lexus LF-A spy shots




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Comments (8)

  1. By Alan Posted: 5/7/2008 8:04am PDT

    I'm actually really excited about this car, i think it looks fantastic and a V10 engine will be much more exciting than a V6 GTR. Honestly though, it's being in development for long long long time, just release the thing!
     
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  2. By Kevin Posted: 5/7/2008 10:44am PDT

    Everyone keeps saying that the LF-A has been in development for so long. My question is: how long was the GT-R in development??? The GT-R concept first came out in 2001, the first production GT-R went on sale in Japan in December 2007. That's six years of development time for the GT-R. Just for reference the LF-A concept came out in 2005.
     
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  3. By chris Posted: 5/7/2008 12:22pm PDT

    Kevin; yes it came out in 2005, but it's 2008 and this car is just starting to make appearances in racing circuits. expect this to come out as a 2010 model.

    remember, toyota has said that this will be a "performance hybrid", probably the first performance oriented hybrid to hit the market. Expect a lot of development time yet.

    as for the CF, it's an absolute waste. use it where it matters
     
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  4. By NoNameDenton Posted: 9/16/2009 7:48pm PDT

    Suprised they are sticking with the V-10 when everyone else is downsizing, but I guess they had too much money in developing that engine to not use it.
     
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  5. By  cars Posted: 9/17/2009 9:12am PDT

    Wow!! much excited...just release the car..
     
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  6. By jason Posted: 9/17/2009 3:37pm PDT

    Nonamedenton - ur comments r always negative with asian carmakers. dont know y but try to get some positive thought.... or get high school level education at least :)
     
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  7. By NoNameDenton Posted: 9/18/2009 6:49am PDT

    I have higher then high school education at least thanks and that was not negative on the Japanese cars, if you read it properly I am just suprised they are sticking with the V10 when everyone is downsizing then said that they had too much money in to the development of the engine to abandon it, learn to read properly.
     
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  8. By  Cars for sale Posted: 10/21/2009 10:59am PDT

    I think it’ll do well, especially in the states where Lexus has been the most successful luxury brand over the last few years
     
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