Click above for high-res gallery of Lexus LF-A spy shots
The LF-A is one of those cars that seems like it will never get to market. We've gone through two different LF-A concepts already, plus an LF-A Roadster, and the high-performance luxury sport coupe isn't even on sale yet. Spy photographers from KGP have caught another new version of the LF-A near the famed Nurburgring in Germany, this one apparently decked out in full racing regalia. The most tell-tale sign that this is likely not a road-going version of the car is its giant, fixed rear wing in place of the retractable one seen on prior prototypes. It also has what appears to be carbon fiber canards on the outer edges of the front clip, which, last time we checked, aren't often found on road-legal automobiles. Our fine photographer friends suggest that Lexus might be aiming for success in motorsports with the upcoming LF-A, especially after seeing the fine performance of Nissan's new GT-R in competitive racing. After years of waiting and watching prototypes being tested, however, we're not holding our breath anymore.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Igenious @ Apr 16th 2008 2:37PM
300zx front anyone
SenSpeed @ Apr 16th 2008 6:14PM
after all these years of teasers...
LF-A = yawn
AC @ Apr 16th 2008 2:38PM
It seems Lexus has a problem deciding if they want to throw LF-A out as a rich man luxury sports or a pure performance car.. GT-R sure stirred up plenty of things in the performance sports car field..... not to mention the 3rd rival in this Japanese Supercar game, Honda(Acura), is sharing the same problem with Lexus.
Will Toyota has it's own brand of supercar to replace Supra? or LF-A is the one to replace it.
Cameron @ Apr 16th 2008 3:33PM
I'd love to see Honda have a mid-engined sports car to take on their performance/racing ambitions, and save the V10 SH-AWD supercar for Acura as a Japanese Aston Martin.
Screw the CR-Z, I want a modern interpretation of the MR-2, but with an H badge. Not as razor sharp as an Elise, but many thousands cheaper. Make the base model a hybrid gas sipper, and make the Si version have the turbo K series!
John R @ Apr 16th 2008 2:39PM
Why is Toyota trying to run before it can walk? The last time they made a sports car on par with the Z was close to a decade ago.
The Subie-Celica that people have been talking about should have been making its rounds at autoshows and the 'Ring before this.
zamafir @ Apr 16th 2008 2:39PM
Toyota has a long successful past in auto racing (not trucks), they can only dominate with this car as they've done so many times before.
.>
:).
Franz @ Apr 16th 2008 2:41PM
They need to release the damn thing already.
John R @ Apr 16th 2008 2:46PM
Its not a question of competency. Its timing. They need their own "350Z" before they put out their own "GT-R"
Louis @ Apr 16th 2008 2:53PM
Toyota already has its 350Z 10 years ago, it's called the Supra.
John R @ Apr 16th 2008 3:28PM
Is the Supra still on sale today?
Temple @ Apr 16th 2008 5:43PM
The Toyota-Subaru alliance is already been confirmed to produce an "affordable" FR, probably released before the LF-A. A car that would be the spiritual successor to the car your avatar drives.
Andy @ Apr 16th 2008 6:51PM
Too bad the 300zx was back out in the early 90s
John R @ Apr 17th 2008 6:51AM
@Temple
People seem confused with my avatar with "Initial D". You aren't the only one.
That isn't Fujiwara. Its Akio Asakura from "Wangan Midnight". Its a good anime/manga, but Initial D is better for technicals.
Louis @ Apr 16th 2008 2:50PM
People who are saying that this car won't make into production are just plain dumb...
Why would Toyota/Lexus waste so much R&D funds and time on a concept car that'll never be produced? It just doesn't make any sense. So boys and girls, just sit tight and enjoy how will the LF-A shock the world when it's announced.
Chris @ Apr 16th 2008 4:09PM
They don't have to make this car. If there is new technology in this car that will make it into another vehicle(s) then it is justified.
PAT @ Apr 16th 2008 4:49PM
The styling is lame, looks like a Supra, which is a good looking car, but a little outdated. If you let a kid draw a sports car, this is what it would look like. It has impressive stats, and I am sure the Lexus refinement, and oh yeah, it just hit me, the Lexus styling too.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 16th 2008 2:54PM
But what is this car underneath?
I ask because the "GT-R" linked to is not a GT-R any more than the Pontiac G6 GXP.R in Grand American is a Pontiac G6.
The GT-R linked bears more relation to the car Nissan ran in JGTC last year (a "350Z") than it does to a GT-R.
So, back to the original question, is this "race prepped LF-A" anything like a future street car or is it a tube frame with a bespoke drivetrain?
hashiryu @ Apr 16th 2008 3:49PM
If you look closely, this is quite a bit different than the other mules that are normally there.... so, your question is fairly... dare I say Irrelevant?
GT6T @ Apr 16th 2008 2:57PM
At least they've changed them ugly high heals like headlights.
PS: did you guys notice the blue Supra, It's like the Supra is coaching the LF-A.
Ekow @ Apr 16th 2008 3:09PM
I say it again....can we please just re-release the old Supra with upgraded materials on the interior charge $28k for it and call it a 'Throwback Car' like all the US manufacturers are doing. That would sell fine, be more than competitive with all the other RWD vehicles in it's price range and I would expect be alot less time, money, and effort. Hell and probably make more money too.