The Nextus – Lexus
Lexus’s scorching new LF-A supercar is the ultimate illustration of design indulgence. Audi will tell you it’s been their and done that with its critically acclaimed R8, but Lexus too has all the right DNA underpinning its new LF-A supercar. Having a formula one team at your disposal is a good start. Having the world’s 2007 car of the year, in the LS460, means you have a good reputation to start with and being bank rolled by the world’s most profitable auto maker doesn’t hurt either. The Lexus LF-A concept debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show to little fanfare, but buzz is finally starting to grow around the car after some clandestine testing of the prototype around the Nurburgring. Lexus unashamedly see the LF-A as a two-seater sports car initiative based on Toyota’s F1 exploits, a fact iterated by Lexus’s use of an F1 inspired five litre V10, producing upwards of 375kW (500bhp) that should clear 320km/h (200mph) with the help of an automated sequential manual gearbox. The prototype spotted scuttling around the Nurburgring was lavishly trimmed for a car so youthful in its development, further illustrating Lexus’s ‘Pursuit of Perfection’ or at least attention to detail. Triple rear tail pipes give raw treble to the shrieking, mid-mounted V10 and the rear mounted transaxle and radiators ensure almost perfect weight distribution over the LF-A’s 305/30R20 rear, and 265/35R20 front sticky rubber. The LF-A’s overall length is just slightly less than that of a Porche 911, but scything design lines make use of every inch of metal the LF-A has been afforded. A conveniently timed squint catches the LF-A ever so slightly resembling a Veyron – and it is without doubt the best looking design Lexus has ever put out.The LF-A is set for launch in 2009, retailing possibly at $100 000 (God only knows how many rand that will be by then), but hopefully 2009 will be time enough for Lexus to hatch a scheme to give the LF-A hybrid power, making it potentially, the first ever hybrid powered supercar. Hmm… 200mph in Lexus luxury without pissing the planet off too much…? ‘If you got it, flaunt it, baby.’
Posted: June 29th, 2007 under AutoNews.