The Lexus LFA,
...is a two-seat exotic sports coupe produced by Lexus as a concept car, "halo" vehicle, racing prototype, and production model.It is the second model in the F marque line of performance vehicles from Lexus, following the IS F. Three concept versions have been shown, each debuting at the North American International Auto Show with the LF-A designation as part of the LF Series concept line. The first LF-A concept premiered in 2005, followed in 2007 by a second LF-A with a more completely furnished interior and exterior. The third version of the LF-A, a roadster model, premiered in 2008. The production model, trademarked LFA, was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. The production Lexus LFA features a new V10 engine and a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body. CFRP materials account for 65 percent of the LFA's body composition by mass.The LFA is scheduled to go into production in late 2010, with a projected run of 500 vehicles at the base price of US$375,000. A circuit-tuned variant is scheduled for 2012.
In February 2000 the LF-A began development as a supercar project codenamed P280, which was intended to showcase the performance capabilities of Toyota Motor Corporation and its Lexus marque.The first prototype was completed during June 2003. Prototypes of the LF-A were spotted regularly undergoing testing at Nürburgring since October 2004,the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany. Numerous test vehicles had been equipped with automatic retractable rear wings, and carbon ceramic brake discs.
Lexus began taking orders for the LFA supercar on October 23, 2009. Buyers will be selectively chosen by Lexus in the second quarter of 2010. Production will begin in December 2010 as a 2011 model. Only 500 total LFA models will be made worldwide, with only 20 produced each month. Each car will be custom ordered to the customer's specifications, and will cost an estimated US$375,000, depending on options and customization.Following the LFA's release at the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus unveiled a website with a 'LFA configurator' which allowed users to select exterior and interior colors, brake caliper colors, seats, steering wheel leather, and other interior designs. In total, there are over 30 billion possible configurations. Each LFA will be hand-built by a dedicated production team of engineers and specialists at Toyota's Motomatchi plant in Aichi, Japan. In the North American market 150 LFAs will be sold through a two year lease program much like the Ferrari F50. This is to prevent owners from reselling the vehicle for a profit. Racing driver Scott Pruett was hired to give test drives to interested buyers, demonstrating the vehicle's capabilities at Auto Club Speedway. The Lexus division of Toyota Motor USA will stop taking orders at the end of 2009. In the European market buyers order their LFA through a single Lexus dealer located in Park Lane, London where it is purchased outright.[46] During LFA production, each vehicle will receive a plaque which is individually numbered, indicating the unit's place in the production run. Each LFA V10 engine will also bear the signature of the specialist who assembled it. With 20 units produced monthly, production of the entire LFA run will last from December 2010 to December 2012.
Air is fed directly from beneath the hood through a visible slit passing into a dual stage variable intake manifold and then into ten individual throttle bodies before finally exiting from a dual stage titanium muffler.The LFA's engineers attempted to make the engine sound like that of a Formula One car with high revs, while at the same time maintaining typical Lexus reliability and vibration control. A V10 engine was selected over an equivalent displacement V8 engine for its higher revs, and over a V12 for its lower reciprocating mass, allowing for more rapid engine response. Lexus claims their engine can rev from idle to its redline in 0.6 seconds and an analog tachometer needle could not accurately track the LFA's changes in engine speeds. This necessitated the use of digital tachometer which can instantly display engine speed. The engine reportedly weighs less than the manufacturer's own 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine.The powerplant gives the LFA a power-to-weight ratio of 5.9 lb/hp and enables it to reach a top speed of around 202 mph (325 km/h). Like the IS F Yamaha co-developed the engine cylinder heads. The engine exceeds Euro V emissions. The engine is installed with a front mid-engine placement.[50] According to Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi a front engine layout was selected instead of a mid engine layout as it is inherently more forgiving dynamically, affording less experienced drivers a wider safety net.
...is a two-seat exotic sports coupe produced by Lexus as a concept car, "halo" vehicle, racing prototype, and production model.It is the second model in the F marque line of performance vehicles from Lexus, following the IS F. Three concept versions have been shown, each debuting at the North American International Auto Show with the LF-A designation as part of the LF Series concept line. The first LF-A concept premiered in 2005, followed in 2007 by a second LF-A with a more completely furnished interior and exterior. The third version of the LF-A, a roadster model, premiered in 2008. The production model, trademarked LFA, was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. The production Lexus LFA features a new V10 engine and a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body. CFRP materials account for 65 percent of the LFA's body composition by mass.The LFA is scheduled to go into production in late 2010, with a projected run of 500 vehicles at the base price of US$375,000. A circuit-tuned variant is scheduled for 2012.
In February 2000 the LF-A began development as a supercar project codenamed P280, which was intended to showcase the performance capabilities of Toyota Motor Corporation and its Lexus marque.The first prototype was completed during June 2003. Prototypes of the LF-A were spotted regularly undergoing testing at Nürburgring since October 2004,the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany. Numerous test vehicles had been equipped with automatic retractable rear wings, and carbon ceramic brake discs.
Lexus began taking orders for the LFA supercar on October 23, 2009. Buyers will be selectively chosen by Lexus in the second quarter of 2010. Production will begin in December 2010 as a 2011 model. Only 500 total LFA models will be made worldwide, with only 20 produced each month. Each car will be custom ordered to the customer's specifications, and will cost an estimated US$375,000, depending on options and customization.Following the LFA's release at the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus unveiled a website with a 'LFA configurator' which allowed users to select exterior and interior colors, brake caliper colors, seats, steering wheel leather, and other interior designs. In total, there are over 30 billion possible configurations. Each LFA will be hand-built by a dedicated production team of engineers and specialists at Toyota's Motomatchi plant in Aichi, Japan. In the North American market 150 LFAs will be sold through a two year lease program much like the Ferrari F50. This is to prevent owners from reselling the vehicle for a profit. Racing driver Scott Pruett was hired to give test drives to interested buyers, demonstrating the vehicle's capabilities at Auto Club Speedway. The Lexus division of Toyota Motor USA will stop taking orders at the end of 2009. In the European market buyers order their LFA through a single Lexus dealer located in Park Lane, London where it is purchased outright.[46] During LFA production, each vehicle will receive a plaque which is individually numbered, indicating the unit's place in the production run. Each LFA V10 engine will also bear the signature of the specialist who assembled it. With 20 units produced monthly, production of the entire LFA run will last from December 2010 to December 2012.
Engine
The Lexus LFA is powered by a 72° 4.8-liter V10 engine equipped with dual VVT-i carrying the 1LR-GUE designation with a maximum output of 560 PS (412 kW) delivered at 8,700 rpm. Its maximum torque output of 354 lb·ft (480 N·m) arrives at 6,800 rpm, 90 percent of which is available from 3,700 rpm. The engine redlines at 9,000 rpm, but with a fuel cutoff set at 9,500 rpm, and is constructed using forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods, and solid titanium valves. Dry sump lubrication prevents engine oil starvation through high speed corners and lowers the engine's center of mass.
Air is fed directly from beneath the hood through a visible slit passing into a dual stage variable intake manifold and then into ten individual throttle bodies before finally exiting from a dual stage titanium muffler.The LFA's engineers attempted to make the engine sound like that of a Formula One car with high revs, while at the same time maintaining typical Lexus reliability and vibration control. A V10 engine was selected over an equivalent displacement V8 engine for its higher revs, and over a V12 for its lower reciprocating mass, allowing for more rapid engine response. Lexus claims their engine can rev from idle to its redline in 0.6 seconds and an analog tachometer needle could not accurately track the LFA's changes in engine speeds. This necessitated the use of digital tachometer which can instantly display engine speed. The engine reportedly weighs less than the manufacturer's own 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine.The powerplant gives the LFA a power-to-weight ratio of 5.9 lb/hp and enables it to reach a top speed of around 202 mph (325 km/h). Like the IS F Yamaha co-developed the engine cylinder heads. The engine exceeds Euro V emissions. The engine is installed with a front mid-engine placement.[50] According to Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi a front engine layout was selected instead of a mid engine layout as it is inherently more forgiving dynamically, affording less experienced drivers a wider safety net.
Performance
Official and tested performance specifications for the Lexus LFA are as follows:[53]
| Engine type | 1LR-GUE 72° V10 | 0-60 mph (97 km/h) | 3.6 sec. (official, w/o launch control) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4-valves/cylinder, dual VVT-i | 0-100 km/h (62 mph) | 3.7 sec. (official) |
| Displacement | 4,805 cc (293.2 cu in) | 0-100 mph (160 km/h) | 7.8 sec. (tested) |
| Bore x Stroke | 88 mm × 79 mm (3.5 in × 3.1 in) | 0-130 mph (210 km/h) | 12.9 sec, (tested) |
| Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 | 0-150 mph (240 km/h) | 18.3 sec. (tested) |
| Power | 560 PS (411.9 kW; 552.3 hp) @ 8700 rpm | 1⁄4 mi (400 m) | 11.8 sec. (@ 124 mph (200 km/h)) |
| Torque | 480 N·m (354.0 ft·lbf) @ 6800 rpm | Braking | 156 ft (48 m) (70 mph (110 km/h)-0) |
| Curb weight | 1,480 kg (3,263 lb) | Weight distribution | 49.8:50.2 (front:rear) |
| Power-to-weight | 5.9 lb/hp | Lateral acceleration | 1.00 G (200 feet (61 m) skidpad) |
| Transmission | 6-speed ASG, 9000 rpm redline | Top speed | 326 km/h (203 mph) |
Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi mentioned during the world's press at the Nürburgring in Germany that the LFA has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in "better than 7 minutes 20 seconds", although no further specifics were given to the record lap.The LFA appeared on Top Gear in January 2010, when Richard Hammond drove the car and had rave reviews of it. The LFA's power lap of 1.22.8 was the quickest wettest lap ever recorded on the Top Gear test track; it was 3 seconds faster than the nearest wet lap which was the 4WD Lamborghini Gallardo. However, it was noted that the LFA cost 3 times more than the Gallardo, and is £130,000 more than the Ferrari 599 but not faster than it; Jeremy Clarkson also noted that the 202mph LFA costs 6 times more than the 193mph Nissan GTR but is not 6 times faster. In response, Evo's review of the LFA pointed out that the performance of "a Bugatti Veyron is not 12 times more than the GT-R", with reviewer Chris Harris observing that no cars are 6 times more than a GT-R either. Car and Driver also concluded in its review of the LFA and its performance that the carbon-fiber supercar rated as a "bargain" compared to the more expensive Ferrari Enzo and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The magazine track-tested the LFA in March 2010, finding the car quickest in manual sport mode, and recording a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a quarter mile of 11.8 seconds at 124 mph.
