IT’S BEEN A long time coming for the 2011 Lexus LF-A, with prototypes first spotted lapping the Nurburgring way back in 2004.
Rumoured to be heading to next month’s Tokyo Motor Show in production trim, the LF-A has been spied this week testing in what appears to be the final stages of development.
Wearing only the lightest of camouflage to its headlights and tail-lights (the two elements Lexus has remained the most guarded about) the Japanese manufacturer’s first supercar looks to be virtually complete.
The LF-A would seem to have spent an inordinate time in the ‘on-road evaluation stage’ as Lexus debated whether the project should be terminated or allowed to proceed.
But signs are positive that the low-slung Lexus will shed the last of its camouflage cladding and appear in showroom-ready form soon. The recent prototypes look less like development mules and more like production cars.
The front has undergone a thorough redesign, gaining a much larger front air-dam and a pair of prominent cheek vents.
The B-pillar air intakes for the rear-mounted radiators are also different to those seen on previous prototypes, and the rear bumper seems to have also undergone subtle changes.
The front and rear lights are well masked, however it appears the lenses and reflectors are markedly different to those previously seen. The wing mirrors are also much larger and more production-friendly.
The LF-A is expected to boast a 410kW (550hp) 4.8 litre V10 engine, a six-speed automated manual transaxle and a top speed just over 350km/h.
Word on the street is that a limited 500-car production run is planned, with just 10 cars possibly coming Australia’s way.
Ben Mitchell, Corporate Product Planning Manager for Lexus in the US, recently confirmed that pricing for the LF-A will "begin with a two", and rumours in Japan suggest the price could be as high as US$225,000 (AU$257,000).
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It still looks like a mid 90’s Celica with a Veilside Bodykit on it
Lookz awsome……….
Looking very nice indeed.
Yes, Wheelnut. It is only a reincarnation of the company’s long gone favourite Celica, but with a boosted engine. Look carefully. Everyone will find bits and pieces of the old and new Celica, and Supra. Nothing new, except the engine and the Lexus badge.
Well, as long as that is just camo on the lights…
Not really a fan of the B-pillar intakes. Surely I’m not the only person who likes to do a headcheck before changing lanes!?
Indeed, the styling of this “camouflaged Celica in Lexus badge” has been used by fans for ages in their previous generation Celica’s. Look out in the streets, you will find heaps of these, especially in Asian countries.
Looks already dated and is probably underpowered compared to it’s competitors by now.
fasthonda, are you fricken nuts? This thing has camo on and your calling it dated.
At a guesstimated $250k price tag, i’d rather buy a Subaru Impreza STi for the weekdays, and Nissan GT-R R35 for the weekends…. Wake up Toyoda, nobodys gonna buy a 250k wannabe mutton celica dressed up as lamb LF
I think it’ll do well, especially in the states where Lexus has been the most successful luxury brand over the last few years.
If it’s US$250K though, I reckon it’ll be closer to AUD$300K+ when all said and done due to taxes and all kinds of other sh*t that we cop down under.
I don’t know how you could call it underpowered or obsolete though; Toyota has demanded a terminal speed >350kmh and that already makes it faster than the 458 Italia (325kmh) not to mention the GTR (305kmh).
There’s no doubting it’s gonna be quick (in a straight line as well as round the Nordschleife); I think the key question is whether it will impress the likes of Evo and other enthusiasts with its driving dynamics and a sense of passion; something the Europeans still have the edge on and probably always will.
Great now the Camry with extra cupholder manufacturer is trying to make sports cars.
Will it look as ugly and out of date style wise as other japanese coupes do?
Stick to Camry’s
Godspeed: If it’s US$250k it’s likely to be closer to AU$400k.
Lino L: What Toyota sports cars looked out of date when they were introduced?
Well done Lexus … a great design (looks fantastic) and awesome specs.
Can not wait for this machine to be released.
I say, credit due were credit deserved !!
Lindsay - probably right there. Having 350kmh potential means $400K is at least closer to being justified…
Lino - Yeah they are widely known for building Camrys, they are also widely known for building Supras, rally-dominating 4WD Celicas, the Le Mans Protoype GT-One, not to mention F1 cars.
Mercedes-Benz also occasionally build trucks, buses and commercial vehicles besides luxury sedans.
Auto manufacturers might not all be one-trick ponies?
The latest pics in matt black convince me this is really a great looking car. A bit of a mix between Aston Martin and Supra. Some of these comments I find wiered, it’s clearly a lot wider and lower than any Celica or Supra and will have far more presence than either. The LF-A concept cars I saw at various motorshows looked genuinely exotic. As for lacking passion, not sure about that either, Toyota have a long history with sports and performance cars..and the Lexus IS-F for example sounds absolutely glorious and by most accounts is a hairy chested beast and never been accused of lacking soul.
R35 GT-R is my favourite car, but this thing looks sexy, it will be super fast..AND (very importantly) it wouldn’t break or be temperamental like many comparable supercars. If it’s a $400K supercar that does 350 km/h then it may prove to be a bargain. A Murcielago or Ferrari 599 are north of $700K and a 458 Italia will be north of $500K…and it will have more exclusivity too.
I’m guessing that the headlights continue to sweep around the sides, but are just covered up my masking, right? The front fenders look weird at the moment, but now that I’ve noticed the way it seems to flow, the front end has become a whole lot more appealing…
I don’t really “get” what is going on with the back end, though. Looks too busy. And still not a fan of the intakes (which I normally dig, but here they just compromise driving).
I think it looks good, camo & all. will no doubt look alot different when it’s released, or shown in Tokyo next month.
I’ll be visiting the Tokyo motor show while I’m in the country visiting my wifes’ family, so I’m looking forward to having a look.