Spy Shots: New Lexus LF-A caught racing the 'Ring
by John Neff on May 12th 2009 at 12:32PM 
Lexus LF-A – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots
We've been reporting on the Lexus LF-A since 2005, and since that time we've shown you the debut of two separate LF-A concepts, an LF-A Roadster and a race version of the LF-A that competed in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. What we've yet to show you amongst these concepts, race cars and the many spy shots in between is an actual production version of Lexus' supercar. After hearing nothing about the LF-A for some time, we've been informed that a new prototype is currently testing on the Nürburgring in Germany. Though wearing camouflage, the new LF-A can definitely be seen sporting a new front- and rear-end, as well as additional sculpting to its side air intakes found ahead of the rear wheel and between the B- and C-pillars. If there's one thing we know about the LF-A with any certainty, it's that we know very little. The production version is rumored to produce over 500 horsepower from what will likely be a V10 engine, and the car itself should be capable of over 200 mph. A $200,000 price tag has been thrown around as well, though you have to question the strategy of a mainstream automaker like Toyota selling such a supercar when the entire world is caught in an economic sleeper hold.
Gallery: Lexus LF-A - spy shots
[Photos: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
aj121489 12:15PM (5/12/2009)
Why does it say 12:32 on the time? It's 12:15 on my computer...
And are they ever gonna make this thing? Seriously they've been talkin about the LF-A FOREVER. I feel like it's worse than the Camaro
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dwightB 1:03PM (5/12/2009)
Wow, three years is "forever" now, huh?
Hell, a MINIMAL timeline for vehicle development is around 4 years, and we're talking about a world class supercar here. Also, keep in mind we've seen this car transform ON THE SHOW CAR STAND. Having seen all three iterations in the "flesh" I can honestly say that the second and third refinements are improvements of the original and judging by this camo covered vehicle, it's STILL being massaged!
I've said it here before and I'll say it again. Toyota isn't gonna just throw some BS together and hope it works out. They're going to do their homework, refine, and "over-engineer" everything til they GET IT RIGHT! That's the only way to do it, and what's led them to such success in the past. Don't expect anything less from this car.
Patience grasshopper...
Temple 1:48PM (5/12/2009)
It's suppose to be released in late-2010 or early 2011. Obviously releasing an expensive sportscar now with the economy being in the toilet isn't a good idea.
Toyota president, and heir, Toyoda will be racing the car himself at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The man is an obvious gear-head so the car does have a good shot at being built. But timing is everything.
JDM Life 1:49PM (5/12/2009)
@ dwightB
You could have not said it any better.
This car is going to be a serious problem for all......>:)
Will 2:19PM (5/12/2009)
It's like the Duke Nukem Forever of the automotive world.
aj121489 3:21PM (5/12/2009)
Has it really only been 3 years?! Wow I guess it just seems like it's been a lot longer than that.
Kill The Fanboys 3:39PM (5/12/2009)
I thought this was being scrapped for some reason. It seems like its taking forever because we see similar shots every 6-7 months of this car and it still looks to be in the same stages of development.
The added body features make this thing looks SEXY in these photos. I'm very excited for the LF-A.
dwightB 5:58PM (5/12/2009)
@ aj121489
Allow me to correct myself. It's been 4 years since concept one debuted at NAIAS. The refined coupe and roadster were shown in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
But that's still not much development time for this class of vehicle. I have faith in Toyota. :)
mcampasini 12:38PM (5/12/2009)
i want to see this thing already.
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Bill E 12:38PM (5/12/2009)
It's coming out in about 12-13 months.
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AngeloD 12:44PM (5/12/2009)
Dodge has had, in the Viper, a better version of this car in production for almost 17 years.
Toyota's vapor-ware version looks like just a warmed over supra with a crude V-10 truck motor stuffed into the engine bay.
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Sinh Truong 12:50PM (5/12/2009)
you're a joke. Go troll another thread. I'm sure Toyota's got more tech and goodies in this thing than the space shuttle. The Viper is no doubt a good roadster, but it was incredibly crude. What year did they add ABS? How many videos are there of viper drivers taking a corner too fast to end up in a wall or off the road?
BigMcLargeHuge 12:55PM (5/12/2009)
Toyota doesn't have a V10 truck motor to crudely stuff in a Supra the way Dodge did with the Viper.
JDM Life 1:53PM (5/12/2009)
Blah Blah Blah.
Go cry somewhere else.
Even when the car is OBVIOUSLY going through changes you still call it vapor water....oh well trolls will be trolls.
It takes time to make a good car....especially a car aiming for such a high status as this.
JDM Life 1:55PM (5/12/2009)
Blah Blah Blah.
Go cry troll else.
Even when the car is OBVIOUSLY going through changes you still call it vapor water....oh well trolls will be trolls.
It takes time to make a good car....especially a car aiming for such a high status as this.
JZeke 2:30PM (5/12/2009)
Lol thats just great. Made my freakin' day lol.
Amien 3:54PM (5/12/2009)
Even if what you typed made the smallest amount of sense, what's wrong with a "warmed up Supra" ?
Alex 12:44PM (5/12/2009)
Endless fine-tuning now, no set production date; Toyota is just biding their time for when the economy goes back on an upswing.
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zamafir 12:46PM (5/12/2009)
fine tuning for production? No. fine tuning for the race this month? Yes. It's like the Porsche GT gestation, but reversed.
Coolio 12:51PM (5/12/2009)
Yeah, it's Toyota, of course they have a master plan. It wouldn't be that this work in progress had to go back to the drawing board becaue the in-production ZR1 beat the pi$$ out of it. It wouldn't be that Toyota had its attention diverted elsewhere as their quality has declined and there multi-billion dollar entry into the full sized pickup truck market was a bust.
It's Toyota. Of course they have a master plan. Heavy Sarcasim intended !!!
p.s. I hate my AB username. How can I change it ?