Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the race-prepped Lexus LF-A

With the recent spate of spy shots and the announcement that Lexus would be would be campaigning the LF-A at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, it was just a matter of time before we were afforded the opportunity to see the Lexus supercar in action. The short video after the jump gives us a couple fly-bys of the LF-A blowing down a straight expanse of tarmac and ends with the camo'd mule pulling into the pits with a few squeaks from the race-ready brakes. The sound of the 500-hp, 5.0-liter V10 shouldn't be missed, so hit the jump for the video.


[Source: The Passionate Pursuit]

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]

When we last posted about Lexus' long-awaited LF-A supercar, which debuted at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show (photo at right), it was to announce that the production version of the car would make its debut as the pace car for the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix. Well, as we get ever-closer to production, the latest news on Toyota's supercar is that it will be available in both gasoline and hybrid versions.

Speculation has the hybrid version using the powertrain from the 600h sedan - a 5-liter V8 with a continuously-variable transmission and an electric motor/battery auxiliary power unit.

At the same time, the gasoline version will follow Toyota's Formula 1 cars in switching from the previously rumored V10 to a V8.

Related factoids for your consideration:

• F1 rules for 2008 and beyond are considering regenerative braking systems (and longer-term, alternative powertrains)
• Lexus recently completed a 24 hour endurance race with a modified GS450h - the first hybrid car ever to compete in an FIA-sanctioned circuit race

[Source: PistonHeads]