| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Video: Mysterious Lexus LF-A teased
A few weeks ago, we brought you the first spy shots of two mysterious Lexus LF-A prototypes: the AD-A and the AD-B. Shortly after those images covered the internet, Lexus announced that no special edition LF-A models would be built as a farewell to the legendary sports car. However, today the company has released a very short promo video of a mysterious LF-A edition set to be released on August 1st, 2012. No other details have been offered, and at this point, some people would be willing to call Lexus a bunch of liars, and we couldn’t exactly argue with that. What we do know is that Lexus may not have been lying about those two prototypes specifically. According to Lexus, these two prototypes testing featured changes like an additional air intake on the hood, a small bootlid spoiler, and twin exhaust pipes on both sides placed just under the rear lights, and that they were built for technical or research purposes. These changes may be for the next gen LF-A, but not for the current model, so saying that the current generation would not see a special farewell model isn’t quite a lie. All of that being said, something is definitely cooking in Lexus’ kitchen, and so far, all they have served up about it is a less than edible promo video. Check back with us on August 1st to see what exactly is going on with the new special edition Lexus LF-A.
Chrome Lexus LF-A by Exotic Graphix to be revealed in Australia 
A few days after showing you Flo Rida’s chrome Bugatti Veyron, we were given word that another supercar just got the chrome treatment: the Lexus LF-A. This particular LF-A is being touted as the first one of its kind to be wrapped in chrome, which was done by a company called Exotic Graphix. The supercar is expected to make its debut at the annual MotorEx 2012 car show in Australia and is getting considerable attention because a) it looks awesome, and b) becomes it looks really, really awesome. We know the trick with chrome-wrapped cars and how it’s tough to keep aesthetic maintenance of the car considering its chrome nature. But if you can make it worth the time and resources, you have a supercar that just blows you away just by looking at it. This is one of them. About the only thing more staggering than its aesthetics is the monstrous price tag attached to it: AUD$779,000. That’s around $800,000 based on current exchange rates.
Aston Martin’s Engine Downsizing may include Toyota Engines Earlier this week, we brought forward reports that Aston Martin is considering downsizing its lineup of engines, which almost exclusively include V-8s and V-12s. This consideration is an obvious attempt to squeeze a few more mpg out of its lineup without depleting horsepower, which will allow the boutique automaker to achieve the fuel economy numbers required by the ongoing CAFE standards. According to De Telegraf, Aston Martin may be considering Toyota as a partner in this downsizing attempt. In particular, Aston is eyeballing the V-10 engine used in the Lexus LF-A and the 8-pot used in several other Lexus models. If you are wondering how Aston plans to milk these engines out of Toyota, keep in mind that Aston and Toyota already have a working agreement for Aston Martin to use the Toyota iQ to create its own Cygnet. So, for Aston Martin executives to get into conversation with Toyota brass about this possibility wouldn’t take too much. The only issue that Toyota may have is the fact that this sharing of engines may result in added competition for the LFA and other Lexus models. Then again, with Aston Martin being such an exclusive brand without a long production list, Toyota may not see this as a threat, but rather a way to get its name on the tip of premium sports car buyers’ tongues. This could result in the ultimate word-of-mouth advertising for Lexus’ sports cars, which will soon include a car that may rival Aston Martins, the LF-LC. We’ll keep you up to date on this developing situation and let you know as soon as more details become available.
2012 Lexus LFA Black Amethyst
Lexus extinguished the burning rumors that were circulating about the mysterious LF-A models testing at the Nurburgring by announcing that the company has ZERO plans to create any special edition models of their LF-A super car. Well, we are just not having that and, apparently, neither is one lucky guy that has received his LF-A with a special twist. The Lexus-owning American has just taken delivery of a LF-A supercar with a very cool Black Amethyst paint. What makes this vehicle so special is that it is the only LF-A to receive this specific paint color. According to the identifying plaques, this is the LF-A number 366, a strange number considering that only 10 units were reported to be produced. Aside from the unique Black Amethyst exterior paint, the LF-A number 366 also features buff polish wheels combined with black calipers. The interior continues with the same black theme, getting a black steering wheel, black leather door grips, black seat fronts and silver leather seat backs with contrasting white stitching. The package continues with a black headliner, black carpet, black floor mats, black instrument panel, door panel, and center console contrasted with a silver metal trim finish. Lexus says no special LF-A will be made In the past few days a series of strange-looking Lexus LF-A have been spotted testing around Nurburgring and of course that everyone believed that Lexus is preparing to say good bye to the supercar in a very stylish way. Not going to happen, says Lexus! The company says that only 500 LF-A units will be produced, with not even one unit more and considering that almost every unit has been built there is no room for any special edition. The prototypes caught testing at the ring, dubbed AD-A & AD-B are just a series of prototypes developed by TMC technical division just for technical or research purpose. Maybe testings for the next generation LF-A? "These LFA units spotted at Nürburgring are one-off vehicles developed by the TMC technical division, and are currently being tested for technical purposes only,” Etienne Plas, senior manager of product communications for Lexus Europe said. "We have no plans to produce and sell any new special edition of the LFA."
Video: Another mysterious Lexus LF-A shows up at the Nurburgring
A week after spy shots of a mysterious Lexus LF-A were snapped at the Nurburgring, Lexus brought out a second model sporting the same features with a different color scheme which was spotted in the same vicinity. Let the speculation begin. Instead of the bright blue finish that we saw last week, this one, courtesy of a video captured by a YouTube user, comes dressed in bright green and appears to be a little more subdued version of the other model. Take for example, the exhaust. The blue version sported a quad exhaust set-up in the rear whereas the green version has the standard three-pipe, triangular exhaust. Another distinguishable difference are the letters on the flanks of both cars, just above the side sills. This model has "AD-B" written on it whereas the blue model carried "AD-A" on it. If those are code words for a prototype model like we speculated a week ago, then Lexus must be preparing a final swan song - or two - for their mighty super car. Keep tabs here for updates; we’re betting our mortgages that this won’t be the last time we’re going to here from these two mysterious LF-As. Wild Lexus LF-A caught testing at Nurburgring (UPDATED w/Video)
The Lexus LF-A is getting closer to the end of its life line, with only 10 units remaining to be produced. While we prepare to say goodbye to a wickedly awesome supercar, it looks as though Lexus is preparing to send it off with an automotive fireworks show. Our spy photographers have spotted a very wild-looking LF-A testing at the Nurburgring and we have to wonder what kind of special edition model Lexus is firing up. The prototype looks a lot like the Nurburgring Edition, but looks to have gotten some significant changes: an additional air intake on the hood and a small bootlid spoiler. The normal tri-exhaust pipes in the middle look like they have been removed and replaced with twin exhaust pipes on both sides placed just under the rear lights. The small Gurney flaps above the rear lights also look slightly bigger on this prototype. The only question is: what car are we looking at? Is it an LF-A Final Edition? Tokyo Edition? We’ll just have to wait and see, but as soon as we do, you’ll hear about it. UPDATE 06/26/2012 #1: It looks like BridgeToGantry managed to shoot a video of this special edition Lexus LF-A while it performed some hot laps around the Nurburgring. They are calling it the Lexus LF-A AD-A because AD-A are the three letters printed just above the side sill, behind the front wheel. Hit the jump to watch the video! Full story
Despite incredibly high price-tag, just 10 Lexus LFAs remain to be sold When Lexus first announced that it planned on selling 20 LFA units monthly (500 total) with each one costing at minimum $375,000, we thought the Japanese brand had lost its mind. However, if reports are to be believed, just 10 units of the LFA are waiting for to be picked up at dealerships across Lexus’ worldwide network of dealerships. Lexus has yet to confirm or deny these figures, nor has it mentioned whether all 50 LFA Nurburgring Editions have sold. Nevertheless, we very impressed by Lexus’ sales figures of the LFA as it tells us two clear things about the company and the brand. First of all, it proves just how successful the marketing and sales team at Lexus has been in order to ship out almost all of the LFAs ever produced. It also indicates that the LFA is a true performance car which owners believe is worth the $375,000 - even if on paper, it certainly doesn’t appear to be twice as good as many of its competitors. As a refresher, the LFA features an incredibly-advanced 4.8-liter V10 engine pumping out 560 HP at a screaming 9,000rpm while an impressive torque figure of 354lb-ft wraps up the performance capabilities of the engine. As a result, the LFA can launch to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and continue onto a top speed of 202 mph. However, if reports are to be believed, the upcoming LFA II could be twice as fast and twice as expensive.
2012 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package Whitest White Edition
Featuring a price tag of $445,000, the Lexus LF-A Nurburgring package isn’t exactly a bargain. The only thing that substantiates that price is the fact that it is limited to only 50 units, making it a rare model of epic sports car proportions. Now, RK Motors has one of these bad boys up for sale, but it is even more unique than you think. Lexus offered the LF-A Nurburgring Edition in just four exterior colors - Matte Black, Gloss Black, White, and Orange - but this unit is painted in a new color called "Whitest White" combined with a very cool red interior. This paint was combined with the usual elements that distinguish the Nurburgring package from the standard model: a carbon fiber body, a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, and a fixed rear wing - all made in carbon fiber. Under the hood, there is a 4.8 liter V10 engine producing a total of 562 HP and 354 lb. ft. of torque. This power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and to the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds. Top speed goes up to 202 mph.
Motor Trend pits Lamborghini Aventador, Lexus LFA, and McLaren MP4-12C against Bugatti Veyron
Acceleration is one of the key components which create a supercar. Getting that perfect launch requires a combination of an extensive list of factors, namely finding a car with perfectly suited horsepower and torque figures. Finding a supercar with enough grip and a fast enough transmission to whip through the gears is also extremely important in getting off the line and continuing through to the quarter mile. In the latest episode of Head2Head on the Motor Trend YouTube channel, they pitted the latest generation of carbon fiber constructed supercars against the all-conquering Bugatti Veyron over the quarter mile to see just how close the competition has come and if the Veyron can finally be knocked off its seemingly everlasting pedestal. Motor Trend gathered the Lexus LFA, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the McLaren MP4-12C, and a beautiful blue Bugatti Veyron Grandsport and took them to an abandoned runway in the depths of the U.S. They then conducted the review through two knockout rounds in order to find the Veyron’s closest competitor before pitting the remaining car against the Veyron. So who won, you ask? Well, we won’t ruin that for you as this video is definitely worth the 7 minutes it lasts. | Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|