MotorAuthority

Spy video: Lexus LF-A supercar up close

Posted Fri May 2 2008 10:43 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Prototypes for Lexus’ upcoming LF-A supercar have been spotted testing at the Nurburgring for the good part of a year but firm details about the car are still hard to come by. Most reports claim the LF-A will be powered by an F1-derived, high-revving V10 engine displacing 5.0L and developing in excess of 500hp. There are also rumors a hybrid version could be offered but how much power it will have or what affect the batteries and electric motor will have on handling and weight is still unclear. One thing we can be certain of is that the powerplant of the new LF-A will be one of hottest sound engines around, as testified by the high-speed drive-bys in this latest spy video.

Competing against such cars as the Audi R8 and BMW M6 and even Nissan’s GT-R, the LF-A will have a price tag significantly higher than any of its current offerings including the current LS600h flagship. The car’s front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, should allow for excellent weight distribution. The V10 is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline. It’s connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.

Zero to 60mph acceleration times for the LF-A should fall below the four-second mark and top speed will almost certainly exceed 200mph.

Following the launch of the coupe early next year, Lexus will add a roadster model based on January’s Detroit Auto Show concept car. However, the car will make its first public debut – albeit in full race mode - at this month’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge where it will compete alongside Porsches, Aston Martins and Corvettes. The racing version is distinguished from regular production test-mules by its chunky GT wing, bigger wheels and brakes, custom bodykit with oversized intakes and front-mount canards.



Lexus LF-A spy shots

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

story Tags:

• Lexus
• Spy shots
• Supercars
• Videos

Reader Comments

• Fri May 2 2008 11:37 AM

  C6R says

  Good shots, nice sounds.
  It should be a good car.

• Fri May 2 2008 1:42 PM

  rnsaza says

  "powered by an F1-derived, high-revving V10 engine displacing 5.0L". 5L F1-derived my R's! You cant just increase the size of an F1 engine and the last V10 F1 engines were designed solely to last 1 race, not a production cars lifetime.. I wish facts were published and not rubish!

• Fri May 2 2008 3:23 PM

  toyo says

  The engine *IS* F1-derived. You DO know what "derived" means right? That means a lot of technical know-how and knowledge learned from Toyota's F1 V10 was put to use on this engine. This is analogous to the M5's V10. That engine uses some F1-derived technology, and is built in the same factory as BMW's F1 engines.

• Fri May 2 2008 5:27 PM

  Minizzle says

  I have great expectations for this car and i hope it turns out good. They better not mess with the interior because it looks stunning!

• Mon May 5 2008 10:49 PM

  lexlife says

  The sound the car emits is music to my ears. Hopefully the price want tip to far over the six-figure mark.

• Sun May 11 2008 6:48 PM

  Tony says

  This is a gorgeous car and a very fine tuned exhaust note that made me melt. Especially the down shift at 1:42 had to rewind and play oh about 15 times. I wonder what the price tag will be if it is compared to Porsches, Aston Martins and Corvettes... hopefully in the Corvette range so I could actually get it.