Lexus Confirms Record LFA Lap Time For Nürburgring Nordschleife

The hero of the Lexus line-up, its LFA supercar, has recorded a blisteringly quick lap time at Germany's famed Nurburgring this week, besting its last effort by nearly nine seconds.

Equipped with the eponymous Nurburgring Edition (NE) performance package - the same gear that previously shot the LFA to a 7:22.85 lap - the LFA's latest go-round resulted in a personal best of 7:14.64.

Judging by the zealously-maintained lap time chart at Wikipedia, the LFA Nurburgring Edition's sprint this week is the fastest ever by a road-registered series production car.

Notable contenders occupying the space between the LFA NE's last time of 7:22 and now are the Corvette C6 Z06 (7:22.68), the Corvette C6 ZR1 (7:19:63) and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (7:18). 

The LFA Nurburgring Edition's ultra-hot lap took place during a customer meeting early this week, and was set by Lexus test driver Akira iida - the same man responsible for the earlier 7:22 lap. 

"Since 2004 in the spring and summer of every year we have conducted development tests for the LFA at Nürburgring Nordschleife," Haruhiko Tanahashi, LFA chief engineer said.

"The LFA Nürburgring package is the compilation of our extensive testing program and we have appreciated the opportunities to utilise the Nürburgring Nordschleife to strengthen and develop the LFA into the vehicle it is today."

About the LFA Nurburgring Edition

Limited to just 50 examples out of the 500 LFAs to be produced, the LFA Nurburgring Edition has had its output boosted to 420kW - compared to the standard 412kW.

The time to 100km/h remains unchanged however, covered in the same 3.7 seconds. Top Speed is 325km/h.

Giving the LFA SE an advantage on the track over its 'regular' sibling, canards, a new front splitter and a GT-style fixed rear wing crafted from carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer feature on the new model.

A recalibrated transmission cuts 0.15 seconds from the LFA SE's shift time, while stiffer suspension and special alloy wheels shod with semi-slick tyres round out the main technical tweaks.