Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A racecar.
Toyota has confirmed that the Lexus LF-A will campaign in the 24 hour Nurburgring race this May in an effort to shake down the new supercar before its launch next year. Toyota has no intentions of winning the grueling enduro, instead, it's using its unconventional entrant into the race to aid development of the super coupe and gain feedback for the production car.
The LF-A was recently spied making laps around the 'Ring outfitted with a new GT-style wing, bigger wheels, brakes, a revised aero kit, more carbon fiber and a full roll cage -- all of which confirms that the mule is more than just a production prototype. It's an impressive tactic that shows Toyota is serious about its first entrant into the supercar fray, and proves that the Nissan GT-R might be causing serious bouts of panic around Toyota HQ.
Thanks to Ben for the tip!
[Source: Toyota]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Red @ Apr 21st 2008 1:32PM
Somebody wake me when this car actually makes it to production. This is like Alien vs. Predator or Freddy vs. Jason. The idea sounded great, but were caught in development hell for years. Then they came out and sucked. lol
tankd0g @ Apr 21st 2008 1:37PM
So it exists now?
Brett- BMW Advo @ Apr 21st 2008 1:40PM
Oh, I get it, put a Lexus smack dab in the middle of BMW's testing grounds, that'll show 'em you mean "business"
...
No Lexus, you are not a performer. Stick to your posh and cozy ways.
a @ Apr 21st 2008 1:46PM
Will you still be saying that if the LF-A happens to beat the BMW entries of the same class?
Seoultrain @ Apr 21st 2008 1:49PM
BMW has no entries in this class. It won't be hard for this Lexus to wipe the track with an M6.
Ben @ Apr 21st 2008 1:50PM
Lexus is perfectly designed for when you life has reached a state of dulness and more fake wood trim sounds like a good idea.
Give me something that puts a smile on my face, not something that lulls me to sleep.
Red @ Apr 21st 2008 1:51PM
Of course not, but given the comparisons between the IS-F and its competition, I'd have to say, I honestly don't have much faith that the LF-A will do what it's intended to do either. That's not to say it'll be a bad car. But I'm not holding my breath for it to be the "game changer".
almost Dr. G.. @ Apr 21st 2008 2:02PM
red,
me either..
we already got our game changer of the decade. the $75k gtr. thank you nissan.
im a corvette fanboy btw...
a @ Apr 21st 2008 2:07PM
@Red:
The IS-F is based on the IS, not exactly a good starting point. The LF-A is however built from ground up as a sports car. Don't be surprised if it manages to beat the competition.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 21st 2008 2:39PM
Before any of you get all excited about any car beating any other car in this race, you have to understand how equalization racing works.
None of these cars are running unfettered. And even if they were, these cars are all heavily modified from production.
You can't say much about who bested whom by looking at equalized racing.
PJ @ Apr 21st 2008 3:42PM
Driving the IS-F didn't give me a lot of confidence in Lexus' push for enthusiast legitimacy. And I really, really wanted it to prove me wrong.
But if Toyota is developing this thing from the ground up as a Supra replacement, and taking years and years to do so, well, I can keep my hopes up.
Just--please--no mandatory slushbox this time. Seriously.
naggs @ Apr 21st 2008 4:46PM
its ok to rag on lexus for making nothing more than really nice camrys but its not really fair to rag on them for trying to make a serious sports car.
if it flops, then fine, rag on them till they cry. but for now, i eagerly await this car, i have really high hopes, it certainly sounds amazing.
will wait till the thing is actually on the road before final judgements.
Pedro @ Apr 21st 2008 1:48PM
>think the matrix<
but what if it wins?!
ugg.tryptophan @ Apr 21st 2008 6:21PM
not with stiff competition like the vw scirocco!http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/18/vw-to-campaign-scirocco-in-24-hour-ring-race/ (sarcasm)
almost Dr. G.. @ Apr 21st 2008 1:57PM
i would just like to see an OEM race between this, a gtr vspec, zr1, 911 gt2, m3 (which doesn't fit but it's bmw's fastest car right?), f430, and let them all battle it out.
see who really deserves our money in the $100-200k price range (again the m3 doesnt fit).
any other suggestions?
Brett- BMW Advo @ Apr 21st 2008 2:02PM
A spirited race between those vehicles would be an awesome sight. Although, what would it be like to live with each of those? How do they perform everyday? Are they comfortable? Will you be scared to leave it in a parking lot at a movie theatre?
You wouldnt want to drive the F430 everyday!
Give me something thats fast, sensible, safe and intriguing, without killing my bank account month after month.
Cypher09 @ Apr 21st 2008 2:05PM
No Love for the R8?
sw @ Apr 21st 2008 2:07PM
@ Brett- BMW Advo
In a lot of different words you've basically said, "Give me the Evo or STi"
almost Dr. G.. @ Apr 21st 2008 3:25PM
ahh damn i cant believe i forgot that one cypher..
an r8 too..
brett.. we will do a separate race with the evo/sti/golf r32/mazdaspeed 3 etc..
and we'll do one between a focus, cobalt, civic (non-si), etc for my broke ass.
nagmashot @ Apr 21st 2008 2:05PM
were is the point to race a 24h race vs real race cars with a testmule? In what class they wanna start?
They have to turn the testmule into a race car with FIA confirmed fully race roll cage, striped of everything flameable , adding the 24h race equipment etc etc(which is a lot for the 24h Ring race), running on full slicks.
What they wanna learn from a testmule that is completley turned into something different during a 24h race?
The risk that their testmule gets destroyed is pretty high.. the R33, R34 Skyline GT-R has tryed 9years without a single success to make a impact during the 24h Ring race.. best result 5th place overall..
During the same time the Viper has aon the 24h 3 times and finished always in the top 3 the years they raced the 24h... the different between real racing and car magazine laptime racing..