When the Lexus LF-A finally made its way out on the streets, it was inevitable that the supercar would likewise find itself in a race track sometime in the future.
Well, according to Motor Trend, the future, apparently, is now.
Reports are coming in regarding Toyota’s intention of bringing the Lexus LF-A to the FIA GT1 championship series where it is looking at taking on its Japanese arch-rival, the Nissan GT-R.
Despite talks for its entry into the GT1 series, the LF-A isn’t exactly a racing neophyte after participating at the Nurburgring 24-Hour Race in the past two years and even winning the SP8 class’ race this year. With enough racing development and experience under its belt, Toyota is becoming more and more confident that their new Lexus-branded supercar is ready to move into a more competitive racing series, one in which Godzilla has been running roughshod over recently.
The thought of watching these two Japanese heavyweights duking it out for GT1 supremacy is already getting us completely amped up. Let’s all hope that all this talk leads to a race-track smackdown between the two supercars.
When Lexus brought out their famed LF-A supercar last year it came with a big but; customers in the U.S. would only be allowed to lease the supercar on a two year contractual lease plan. What’s more, the total amount ($300,000) had to be paid upfront as part of Lexus’ 1Pay Lease Program. This was done so Lexus could ensure no one could purchase Toyota’s ultimate hypercar and resell it for a profit within that two year lease period. A big ouch for those wealthy opportunists.
Now, since that idea is pretty much ridiculous and controlling, Lexus US has changed the terms of the sale. They will now sell the car, but only after a contract has been signed by the buyer which stipulates that the dealer has the first right of refusal to buy back the LF-A if it is within the two year period. Still ridiculous and controlling, but a decent business move.
And just in case people try to outsmart Lexus and sell the car without the dealer’s knowledge, you better be quick to read the fine print. If this was the case and the customer got caught, the dealer has the right to be compensated for the difference between what the buyer originally paid for the car and what he sold it for. Oh, and, they also get legal fees. Have we said, "Ouch" in this article yet?
Now if only we can get those big banks and credit card companies to sign a deal similar to the one Lexus has drawn up, then maybe they wouldn’t be making a killing while the little people who have kept them in business suffer. We’re just saying...
Japan and Germany have always been completely different in the automotive world. Actually, besides World War II, they are usually opposites on most things. One is a conservative nation that can be a bit boring, while the other is a nation of electronics, weird game shows, and amazing, yet crazy food.
The German automotive industry is one the best in the world. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and the many others have been making some of the best cars on the market. They are safe, reliable, and perfectly engineered. Nothing says quality like a German luxury car brand.
Japan on the other hand, tends to be less wild than their culture. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru aren’t perfectly engineered machines, but they are as reliable as the wind. There prices are cheaper and appeal to a greater mass of people than the Germans do.
Both of these automotive nations aren’t what you would call, supercar manufacturers. We usually look to the Italians for that sort of thing, but that hasn’t stopped these two from trying. Honda created the NSX, which flopped and Mercedes gave us the great SLR McLaren, but that didn’t sell well either.
Now, Mercedes has decided to give it another go and Toyota has decided to follow suit. One has gullwing doors and a design from the 1950s. Of course, we are talking about the Mercedes SLS AMG. On the other side, we have the Lexus LFA, a car packed with so much technology it can shatter a wine glass.
So, which is the better buy? Hit the jump to find out.
People who have been waiting for Toyota to release a roadster version of the Lexus LF-A supercar should temper their expectations because the company has made it clear that the Lexus LF-A Roadster won’t be released now or anytime soon.
Pity, considering the LF-A is one of those supercars that people can’t seem to get enough of with the supercar’s initial 500-piece release getting scooped up in a matter of weeks. Despite being shown as a concept a number of years ago with favorable responses indicating a massive amount of interest from the public, the LF-A Roadster is still a few years – if it ever makes it that far – from seeing the light of the production line. For now, the Toyota-owned company will instead turn their attention towards further developing their already sizzling supercar, the coupe LF-A and the special edition Nurburgring Edition.
The Lexus LF-A is powered by a 4.8 liter V10 engine that delivers a maximum output of 560 HP at 9,000 RPM and a peak torque of 354 lb-ft at 6,800 RPM, with 90% of the total torque being available between the 3,700 RPM mark and the super car’s 9,000 RPM red line. As a result of such a road torque curve, the LF-A can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds and won’t stop until it reaches a top speed of 202 MPH.
In its latest episode Fifth Gear put its hands on the brand new Lexus LF-A supercar. Behind the wheel was who other than Tiff Needell who seemed to really enjoy what he was doing! But we can’t really blame him, can we?
Lexus LF-A supercar is powered by a 4.8 liter V10 engine that delivers a maximum output of 560 HP at 9,000 RPM and a peak torque of 354 lb-ft at 6,800 RPM, with 90% of the total torque being available between the 3,700 RPM mark and the super car’s 9,000 RPM red line. As a result of such a road torque curve, the LF-A can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds and won’t stop until it reaches a top speed of 202 MPH.
Check out Tiff Needell’s full review of the Lexus LF-A in the two videos provided and let us know your impressions of the car.
