Production Lexus LF-A supercar in the works
Swooned
when Lexus debuted its LF-A supercar as
a concept in Detroit last year? So did Toyota, apparently. The Formula One-inspired supercar, capable of topping out at
200 mph, has evidently received the golden stamp of approval from Toyota, putting its release around fall of 2008. With
the Acura NSX set to debut in 2009 with a V10, it's likely we'll see something close to the front-mounted 5.0L V10 seen
sitting in the concept, despite F1's move to V8s.
The sticker shock shouldn't be too bad either at around $170K, at least when compared to cars exhibiting similar performance envelopes.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
lalaland 7:29PM (3/07/2006)
So, even though F1 is going V-8, Toyota is going to put a V-10 in there...why? Because the NSX has one? And suddenly this car is going to $170,000 when Toyota people have said it would be closer to $110,000? This Edmunds report makes no sense.
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Arun 7:49PM (3/07/2006)
IMO the V-10 is a good idea... F1 used to be all about developing the "latest and greatest" technology, and what they put in those cars, we'd see later on the road (i.e. variable valve timing, variable exhaust piping, etc.)... Although I'm still a huge F1 fan, they've started reducing the technological aspect of the cars for the sake of better competition... which I don't quite understand. But two points:
1.) The F1 V-10 is a 3.0L engine; so whether that engine or a 2.4L V-8 is used in F1, this supercar is going to have a different engine. If you consider the ultra-light nature of an F1 car versus a production car like this, that makes sense... you want more low end torque, and care a little less about reving to 18k rpms! The M5 and M6 use 5.0L V-10s ;)
2.) Can you imagine a 200mph supercar that only went for $110k? Just look at the FordGT... Ford actually went out to make a well-priced supercar... and the dealers jacked them up by $100k.
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Voz 8:19PM (3/07/2006)
This thing is fugly for a super car. This thing will not sell.
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Ted K 9:11PM (3/07/2006)
Yeah, the LF-A is "in the works" just like the Supra. "In the works" since 1999.
Who cares what these dopes have to say any more? It's all just talk until I can buy one at the dealer, and Toyota proves that like no one else can.
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C 10:07PM (3/07/2006)
So let's see... no MR2, no Supra. Toyota doesn't make anything I want to buy. How about a light, cheap, RWD car to compete with MX-5s, RX-8s, 350Zs, etc?
Lexus IS--no manual with the hotter motor? Great plan.
That leaves us with... the $100k+ supercar.
Someone tell Toyota that a halo model doesn't work if there's nothing below it.
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whydrive 10:50PM (3/07/2006)
Looks like Toyota thinks the scion tC is supposed to compete against cars
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David 10:55PM (3/07/2006)
$170K? What a joke! Get real Toyota and make us a $35K Supra.
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Car-la 7:49AM (3/08/2006)
I've ssen this car at an autoshow lately, and it looks great. The pictures don't do it any justice. I'm glad they build it.
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BAHARRIS 11:46AM (3/08/2006)
neither of these two supercars are very impressive. i'm
an AMERICAN CAR GUY AND THE NEW Z06 CORVETTE LOOKS BETTER AND CAN RUN AROUND 200MPH. FULLY LOADED FOR ABOUT 70.000.00.YOU CAN HAVE YOUR IMPORTS!!I'LL
STICK WITH AN AMERICAN ICON..
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JD 8:26PM (3/13/2006)
I'm with you BAHARRIS In fact, You could spend $125,000 and get a lingenfelter vette with 1100 horsepower and go from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds i really think people need to start putting a little more faith into american cars. and as far as the new Z06? 7.0 liter with over 500 horses? beautiful well done chevy now kick it in high gear with the camaro to bring american muscle back
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Marcus Henderson 8:29PM (3/13/2006)
The price that these companies keep asking for these cars is rediculous. If we stop paying this type of cash for cars, we wouldn't face these type of prices. This car is not cute. It looks like every other kid car thats out there. Except it has the name LEXUS!
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me 8:37PM (3/13/2006)
Agreed. The Z06 makes far more sense to someone looking for bang for the buck...not to mention the all new GT500 Mustang. Or if American Muscle isn't your thing...then Nissan/Infiniti's new GT-R (est. 450hp) would be equally logical, and a more hard-core choice for someone wanting to race. And if those vehicles are all too plebian for you, then why would you spend 170K on a Lexus that has questionable sex appeal when you could just get a Ferrari F430? ...Staggering but refined performance and technology wrapped in gorgeous Italian sheetmetal. This car is FAR from compelling. LFA... "Lacks For an Audience" perhaps?
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me 8:46PM (3/13/2006)
Forgot to also mention that if shared technology and develpment with F1 is your thing...the F430 should be at the top of your shopping list. What would Schumacher drive?
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Big Al 8:50PM (3/13/2006)
You guys favoring American cars just don't get it. A corvette isn't a true sports car and a mustang (that a college kid can afford) sure isn't either. I own a Porsche and am in the market for a Ferrari. Now those are sports cars!!!!!!! And as the old saying goes - if you have to ask the price you can't afford it so PLEASE don't give me the line about how your car is cheaper. That isn't the issue. Give me a $450,000 Porsche GT or a $700,000 Enzo ANY DAY!
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Big Al 8:53PM (3/13/2006)
"Forgot to also mention that if shared technology and develpment with F1 is your thing...the F430 should be at the top of your shopping list. What would Schumacher drive?"
Duh - how about an Enzo or an FXX (he owns one of the few that were made). You need to bone up on the high end Ferraris!
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Pat Roberts 9:26PM (3/13/2006)
Who cares? Aren't people that can afford this kind of car embarrassed, when the price of this car could build temporary homes for 5 homeless families in the Hurricane Katrina area??? (Katrina homes are being built for $30K, shown at the Florida builders show)
Society has not rewarded the brains of society with large sums of money,(Brain surgeons or Scientists) but people that run with a ball...or pretend for a living.
By the way, do we have awards for the best carpenter in the USA and give him a statue???
I think it is time for "Back to basics humanity"
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Big Al 9:42PM (3/13/2006)
"Who cares? Aren't people that can afford this kind of car embarrassed, when the price of this car could build temporary homes for 5 homeless families in the Hurricane Katrina area??? (Katrina homes are being built for $30K, shown at the Florida builders show)
Society has not rewarded the brains of society with large sums of money,(Brain surgeons or Scientists) but people that run with a ball...or pretend for a living."
FYI, the average brain surgeon makes between 500,000 and a million a year. Some scientists make fortunes (Jerry Buss bought the Lakers with proceeds from his science career (he is DR BUSS for a PHD, not MD) and many business executives (including myself) make very comfortable incomes. Society rewards accomplishment and pays based on supply and demand - like every capitalist society. No one is saying an athlete or actor is more important to society than a teacher or fireman but when is the last time 80,000 people paid to see a teacher teach or a fireman was in a movie that grossed 100 million! THAT is why those people make what they do so don't start with the liberal value judgements!
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me 9:48PM (3/13/2006)
I don't think commentary on the definition of a sports car is necessary here...nor is snobbery. All the elitist blathering in the world still does not add up to a rational argument. But please forgive me for not keeping a catalog of which vehicles Schumacher keeps in his garage. Get serious Big Al. Perhaps you have a volume of liquid capital to rival the great Mississippi... But even if you do, good luck in actually obtaining an Enzo or an FXX, or even a Carrerra GT. Maybe you could also afford a 2007 Saleen S7. Too bad your refined sensibility won't permit you to drive such American garbage. Hopefully it's scent doesn't offend you when it walks away from your Enzo. Good luck staying upwind.
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sal 9:55PM (3/13/2006)
I'd agree with the Corvette comments, but even though i'm not a Toyota fan, i'd rather go with a company that is not Billions of dollars in DEBT,like maybe say, GM. 10,000 HP corvettes for under $50,000 won't save GM now!!! Toyota has the money and can build what ever they want, lame or not!
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jim 10:50PM (3/13/2006)
I'll add a comment to the one about..."if you have to ask the price you can't afford it". Try this: "if you have to go on a public forum to brag about how much money you have then you probably don't have any."
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