Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs
Lexus LF-A spotted in testing
Lexus has always had a very specific stereotype with me, and I
share it with you unapologetically. As far as I have always been concerned, Lexus was the rich man's Buick. Squishy
suspension, muted feedback and handling that just wasn't quite right. To put a stronger point on it, it is my grandpa's
kind of car — he's owned LS 400 after LS 400 for as long as they've been around. The SC 300, SC 400 and the IS 300 have
been somewhat of an exception, I'll concede that, but the jury even came back on those to say they're still off
the mark. With the LF-A, that stereotype has been turned upside down.
While the LF-A concept was sitting pretty at Tokyo, its heavily-camouflaged sibling was making the rounds at Nurburgring, caught in spy shots posted on channel4.com. Lexus execs spilled the beans that the car will have a V-10, probably over 500 hp and a top speed of 200+. The rear wheel drive with front-engine layout is promised to be the ultimate in weight distribution.
Thanks to Tom for the tip.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jj jones 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
how bout promised to be the ultimate flash in the pan?
toyota builds boring people movers. 10 to 1 says this "super" car is never coming out.
Reply
Toyota FJ Cruiser 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I think this car has been seen in enough testing and is far enough along that it will see production.
Under what name tho, would be the question.
Reply
ab 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
This won't even touch the Corvette.
Reply
van 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Considering it's expected to top 200mph comfortably, that's an interesting comment AB.
Reply
Realist 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Why anyone would compare a super hi-tech F1-inspired supercar to a bedrock-mobile is beyond me.
Hate to break it to you folks but we're not talking the same league here. A comparison between your Corvette and a Mustang maybe a better closer one.
Reply
Realist 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Just want to add...
Don't you find it absolutely idiotic for anyone, I mean anyone, to compare a Lexus to a Chevy? Have you people opened a newspaper or any news medium in the past, oh say 10 years? Because if you did, you'd probably be a little more informed of the disparity between the two companies both technologically and financially that you'd probably won't embarass yourselves by making such outrageous comments.
Reply
Scott 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Realist, have you seen any auto industry reviews of the Z06, because if you did, you'd probably be a little more informed of the capability of this lowly Chevy that you'd probably not embarass yourself by making such outrageous comments.
Reply
Joseph Willemssen 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
"toyota builds boring people movers."
The Supra and MR2 are "boring people movers"?
I also don't think the Prius is "boring". It might be considered a "people mover", but not "boring".
Keep in mind there's a Toyota engine in the Elise - same engine as the Celica GT-S - which I also wouldn't consider "boring". The Scions are pretty cool, too - especially the xB.
Lexus SC is pretty nice, too. Definitely not boring or a "people mover". Same for the Land Cruiser - especially the older ones.
Toyota also makes a lot of interesting vehicles in the Japan market - both under their own brand and through Daihatsu.
Reply
Realist 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Read about the Corvette? I'll have to say no since I really don't give a flying f*ck about any Chevy product. OK so you say SBR or whatever received good reviews. I'll have to take your word for it since I really couldn't care less. Besides, it probably really is better than the competition. And that will be either Camaro or a Mustang - it's natural competition.
But it you read my comment closely, you'd notice that my comparisons were between companies, not between models. And you know why that is?
Because GM has absolutely no product - NOTHING (special emphasis on the word NOTHING - read N-O-T-H-I-N-G, NOTHING as in NADA/SQUAT/ZILCH) that remotely compares (in terms or technological innovation, prestige, quality/reliability) to a Lexus product.
Reply
Scott 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
OK Realist, your a biased zealot. I understand now. Thanks for making that clear.
Reply
Scott 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Joseph, please show me a Toyota dealer where I can go and buy a NEW Supra or MR2. I can't go and buy a '57 Bellaire at a Chevy dealer, so why even bring it up.
I looked at toyota.com and all I see is boring people movers. This is not a bad thing to all people, in fact lots of people love Toyota for that fact, because that's what they want in a car. But arguing against it is kind of silly. I don't see any excitement in a Prius. I see a very slow but efficient hybrid. In fact I see MORE excitement in a Corolla or a Camry than a Prius.
Reply
Joseph Willemssen 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
"Joseph, please show me a Toyota dealer where I can go and buy a NEW Supra or MR2. I can't go and buy a '57 Bellaire at a Chevy dealer, so why even bring it up."
I didn't bring up the silly topic. But you always hear that kind of comment, so it doesn't refer strictly to a given model year. But thanks for your little parsing attempt. MR2 is still sold in Japan, btw, and again, if you wish to parse, the comment was "Toyota BUILDS boring people movers" -- said nothing about where they're sold.
"I looked at toyota.com and all I see is boring people movers"
Good for you. That's a subjective assessment, which you're welcome to. Doesn't change the fact that they make vehicles which aren't "boring people movers" by any stretch of the imagination.
"I don't see any excitement in a Prius."
Didn't say it was exciting. Said it wasn't boring.
"In fact I see MORE excitement in a Corolla or a Camry than a Prius."
Again, that's your subjective opinion and you're welcome to it.
Reply
bgdc 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Considering how lame the IS25/350 turned out after Lexus execs claimed it would challenge the 3 series, I see absolutely no reason to believe the LF-A will be anything more than a fast, luxurious, boring car with numb steering and so-so handling for the supercar class.
Lexus builds nice, reliable, plush cars that are perfect for people who like to ride in cars.
Reply
jj jones 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
joseph willemssen, you've got to be kidding me. you bring up cars those two to combat the notion of toyota's bore?
last supra intoduced over a decade ago. last supra sold in 1998. MR-Spyder: pathetic and slow shell of what used to be a solid nameplate (damnit toyota, the thing needs at LEAST a 2ZZ engine at its price).
and the prius? yeah, exciting if you like looking at charts and bargraphs about power consumption. last i checked, "financial analyst" and "driver" were two very different occupations
what, need me to amend my comment to denote that it's america-centric? that country that accounts for what, 99.7% of all autoblog traffic, and that autoblog is explicitly a part of being in the .com namespace? here you go then -
i have safety concerns with all toyota vehicles sold in america today: they're likely to put me to sleep while driving
after reading a few of your other posts, i can only conclude that you are paid by toyota to troll autoblog on their behalf.
Reply
Japh8r 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
pfft, i'd pay 130k on that GT Ford car over this Tourqeless jap car.
but that's just me.
Reply
Compare and Contrast 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Posted Oct 31, 2005, 10:56 AM ET by jj jones
after reading a few of your other posts, i can only conclude that you are paid by toyota to troll autoblog on their behalf.
Posted Oct 31, 2005, 10:23 AM ET by Frank Anon
Don't worry about Joe W. everyone. He works for Toyota.
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000843065673/#c560554
Reply
CrunchyCookie 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Honestly, the MR2 Spyder is pretty boring to drive. Drive it if you don't believe us. It's largely the overboosted steering, but it spreads beyond that.
The last Toyotas that were the least bit interesting behind the wheel were the Supra (RIP 1998), Celica GT-S (RIP 2005), and IS300 (RIP 2005), meaning the 2006 lineup is 100% blandsville.
Reply
jj jones 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
#16, hah, nice
#17, amen
Reply
Scott 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
"Didn't say it was exciting. Said it wasn't boring."
LOL! Now THERE'S an ARGUMENT, folks! WOW!
Reply
Joseph Willemssen 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
"LOL! Now THERE'S an ARGUMENT, folks! WOW!"
You are obviously unfamiliar with how a debate works. If someone offers a thesis, to disprove that thesis, one need only provide one counterexample.
Apparently in your little world use of ALL CAPS is how you make a strong point.
You don't like Toyotas. We got it. Now move on.
Reply