The guys and gals over at Car & Driver acquired a few choice shots of what's assumed to be the Lexus LF-A uber-coupe lapping the 'Ring. Destined to fight with the likes of Audi's new R8, the upcoming Nissan GT-R and the highly evolved 911, Lexus has continually denied the existence of their high-performance two-door, but the shape of this prototype tells another tale.Overall, the design has gotten considerably more butch, regardless of the Cessna-sized wing hanging out on the rear end. The front end exchanged its feminine eyes for a more tautly drawn headlamp arrangement, along with larger inlets for air. The increase in oxygen-providing bodywork extends beyond the fascia, to behind the doors, with larger, more upright ducts that will shovel air into what's assumed to be a mid-mounted V10, producing 500+ HP.
The rear end has grown in a way that only an ass-man could love, with the rear bumper protruding up and out, when compared to the concept it's based off. Thankfully, the tri-tip, center-mounted exhaust carries over from its show stand sibling.
As Car & Driver points out, it's all speculation at the moment -- much like the aforementioned power plant -- but that won't stop them from assuming that the LF-A will get an eight-speed manumatic, carry a price tag of over $100k and be available in 2008.
Click either photo for several great shots of the Lexus in motion.
[Source: Car & Driver]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
G. Snyder @ Oct 13th 2006 8:28AM
"The rear end has grown in a way that only an ass-man could love, with the rear bumper protruding up and out, when compared to the concept it's based off. Thankfully, the tri-tip, center-mounted exhaust carries over from its show stand sibling."
The car still has camo on it. Who knows what the rear end will look like.
Have you noticed over the last [your life] that car manufacturers put cladding/tape/fake pieces all over the car to hide its true form. There is often test equipment attached as well.
Simmer down. Summa Donna.
Me @ Oct 13th 2006 8:49AM
Borrowing heavily from the 89 Supra parts bin?
James Sonne @ Oct 13th 2006 9:30AM
This car was identified by many as the 2008 Toyota Supra in April (6 months ago).
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/toyota/toyota-supra-ar6872.html
http://www.2008toyotasupra.net/2008-toyota-supra-spy-pictures/
sr20de @ Oct 13th 2006 9:49AM
A new high-performance arms race from the Japanese car makers? I can't wait! I miss the 300ZX vs Supra days.
Professor Gascan @ Oct 13th 2006 9:58AM
I've never seen a mid-engined car with proportions like that; pretty sure the engine is all up front there.
Tal D @ Oct 13th 2006 10:03AM
? Some 350Z design theft? Roof line/rear pillar.'
Has its own "Beadie" eyed looking front end. HLs too close together.
Adam @ Oct 13th 2006 11:29AM
Mide engined V10? Must be a pretty small one to fit behond the driver with that short rear deck (at least compared to most mid-engined cars). The layout look FR to me, especially w/ that long hood. If it is MR, then it will have a pretty decent storage space under that hood.
Whydrive @ Oct 13th 2006 1:24PM
Looks like a Celica to me with a body kit. 3 months after this is released, someone's gonna come out with a LF-A body kit for the late-model Celica.
Not sure what the appeal is for transmissions with > 6 gears. I think an 8-speed is overkill. How much is the repair job going to be when you need to replace the transmission? The more gears -> the more shifting -> the faster it wears out.
Bill Maher is an Idiot @ Oct 13th 2006 3:56PM
I think it's evident a lot of folks here feel threatened by Lexus's sports car entry. You have the "I love Detroit" crowd that's bitter with Toyota's market supremacy, and the Euro trash that doesn't like to see another car spank Porsches and Ferraris.
naggs @ Oct 13th 2006 5:06PM
" I think it's evident a lot of folks here feel threatened by Lexus's sports car entry. You have the "I love Detroit" crowd that's bitter with Toyota's market supremacy, and the Euro trash that doesn't like to see another car spank Porsches and Ferraris."
what are you talking about, noone has said anything to back this up. find somewhere else to pick a fight you troll.
from the spy shots it looks like the short rear overhang is gone, the probably couldnt fit the engine in the space they gave themselves in the concept. thats a shame. assuming they keep the weight down this car should run with the big boys.
steve @ Oct 13th 2006 9:51PM
ferrari owns styling-350z.911.this thing.new skyline are kind of ugly --the ferrari gt cars are beautiful and i guess 2x the cost
gt-r drive @ Oct 16th 2006 6:09AM
naggs grow up and stop calling people trolls for the sake of starting a flamewar.
You have to agree about the american aspect of generally hating anything non-american, look at the C6 Z06 (which the 2008 gt-r WILL DESTROY!)
Leo @ Oct 16th 2006 9:43AM
i am not sure on te looks of this car yet
i know you can't see much, but i see that it wont look as good as the Alfa 8C or the Audi R8, but it will have them on performance if it has a 500+HP V10