VIDEO: Lexus LF-A does everything but go on sale, including drifting... sorta
Click above to watch the video after the jump
After two separate concept vehicles and years of waiting, the Lexus LF-A finally appears to be ready for prime time. The first-ever Lexus supercar has reached critical mass on the Interwebs, with Nurburgring sightings and videos of the V10-powered wunderkind on public roads. And while we're all about getting as much LF-A as possible, we can always use more, and if we had our preference, we'd like to see Toyota's new $250,000 show pony doing tricks.
Last week at Motorsport Japan 2009, the LF-A was in attendance and the 550-horsepower flagship didn't disappoint the fans on hand. Hit the jump to watch the LF-A in its racing dress, as the big-winged, heavily stickered Ferrari hunter wastes some perfectly good rubber on an unsuspecting blacktop. Beyond a few burnouts and selective drifting/donuts, the LF-A spends most of its time going Ricky Bobby, as the crowd is treated to several oval laps of the left turn variety. We definitely dig the pissed off-sounding sound track emanating from the LF-A's bowels, too, but this pre-production model would appear to exhibit some serious understeer that will hopefully be cured once production starts. Thanks for the tip, Rich!
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Carlos 10:43AM (10/13/2009)
This car has the GTR and Camaro beat in terms of development time. What's it been? Almost 6 years already that we've been reading about this car on and off again?
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vespid82 10:45AM (10/13/2009)
Not sure what planet you're on, but it's been "on" for quite some time now. Blame the people that call themselves "enthusiasts" around here for claiming it was "off" as many times as you've seen it. Don't just reply on Autoblog for your car news...
Temple 11:13AM (10/13/2009)
No...
The LF-A was shown in 2005 in early concept form the more recent prototype which the current car is based was first shown in 2007, the production version should be announced at this Tokyo Autoshow. Which is only 4 Years.
The GT-R concept was originally shown in 2001, and with the GT-R Proto being shown at 2005, the final version was release early 2008. 7 Years.
The 5th gen Camaro concept was shown in 2007, but has been rumored since 2002, when the 4th gen stopped production. 2-7 years depending on how you caculate.
You, and Autoblog, have to understand that a car isn't made and designed from scratch in a year or two. Behind the scenes they are working their ass off. With a lot of these enthusiast vehicles they show cars in early concept form or claymodel to the public to gauge reaction. See if enthusiast are interested. If they can justify their low production run.
How a company shows off a new Camry, which is destined for production and shown only a short time in concept form before it goes on sale, is very different from, say, the Aston Martin Rapide (which is also 4-5 years from concept to production).
JDM Life 11:47AM (10/13/2009)
Temple you are correct.
The LF-A was just a concept by Lexus and with a blink of a eye its ready for production. Mind you this is a super car which requires a much harder and difficult build process/development then say a everyday sedan and for it to be built in such sort times show how dedicated Lexus is and serious they are to bringing this car to market. I Just love how Lexus is not very old but does not let that stop them from building such great and well built cars.
Plus this is a brand new car/platform. Which means Toyota started from scratch with this car and it share no part with any other Lexus or Toyota. Unlike the Audi R8 which uses the same V8 as the RS4. So speaking the Audi R8 cost less and needed not as much thought to build as the LF-A.
Love the Audi don't get me wrong very nice car none the less.
zamafir 12:21PM (10/13/2009)
@JDM Life the R8 debuted as a concept in 2003. It went on sale in 2007. it actually bolsters your argument as audi used existing platforms and engines to produce the car. I'd wager the complex chassis/body had a lot to do with the development time. So, you're both right, even in the best of cases this sort of thing takes time. Unlike the R8 though, Toyota/Lexus isn’t basing this car off an existing hypercar brand with boat loads of credibility usurped only by Ferrari. Given where Toyota is, though, I’m sure they’ll deliver, the msrp they’re asking, fact that they’re treading somewhere they’ve never gone before, etc. They’d loose way too much face if this thing doesn’t hang with the big established players/cars when it is released.
JDM Life 12:34PM (10/13/2009)
@ zamafir
I agree. I have a feeling the LF-A will impress and do good. I honestly think this car will be worth the money. After all who wouldn't want a Lexus....much less a Lexus SUPECAR....
I think Lexus is only producing 500 LF-A production units....don't think they care much about sales figures with this car...
adrian 1:51PM (10/13/2009)
This car sounds mean.
Mike 9:56PM (10/13/2009)
Meanwhile the Ford GT was shown in concept in 2002 and sold in 2004.
nagmashot 5:09AM (10/14/2009)
best is the Audi R8 LMS has already owned exactly the LF-A race car shown in the video extrem hard during this year 24h at the northloop... the performance wasn´t even close...
befor someone claims the R8 is longer on the market... the 24h at the northloop was the race debut of the R8 LMS... the LF-A raced already the second year...
best R8 finished 2. with 154laps.. best LF-A 87. with 114laps
vespid82 10:46AM (10/13/2009)
Any reason this was on Autoblog Español YESTERDAY but it's JUST making it's way on here?!
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Avinash machado 10:50AM (10/13/2009)
JDM Life must be jumping with joy.
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JDM Life 11:22AM (10/13/2009)
Like hell I am.
All u naysayers about how Toyota has no performance or all these other nonsense you Detroit loving sheep say.
You all can kiss the LF-A performance filled ass.
Toyota/Lexus.
Danimal 11:43AM (10/13/2009)
I'm pretty sure "like hell I am" implies that you aren't jumping up and down. Also stop putting those obnoxious double spaces between every sentence in all of your posts.
JDM Life 11:55AM (10/13/2009)
Sorry but "Like hell I am" mean I AM. ;)
Love this car. Even more then the IS-F which adore.
Carlos 2:38PM (10/13/2009)
Other then the IS-F and this Toyota doesn't have anything performance oriented yet. Hopefully the Toyobaru will fill the void left when the Supra was killed, the MR2 was castrated, and when the Celica went from AWD turbocharged awesomeness to I'm a barbie girl car and then died.
BIG 10:54AM (10/13/2009)
who was driving this thing?
a bit shaky IMO
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JDM Life 11:36AM (10/13/2009)
Agree....the car was very twitchy....driver could not handle it.
Aki 4:49PM (10/13/2009)
It's more likely because they're driving a prototype that costs untold millions, and they don't want to wreck it trying to be like Tsuchiya Keichi doing dorifuto. It's a PR stunt, I doubt they're trying to tail-slide the thing to its limit.
zamafir 5:20PM (10/13/2009)
meh, why not go for broke, they've already wrecked a few.
Dustin 10:59AM (10/13/2009)
Looks like a Corvette from a distance.
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