The LF-A is a 2-door exotic concept car built as a prospective halo car for the Lexus division. It debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). A revised version with more completely furnished interior was unveiled at the 2007 NAIAS as a possible future member of the Lexus F marque performance lineup.
Toyota has given the LF-A concept car the green-light for production.[2] Prototypes of the LF-A had been spotted being tested at the Nürburgring, the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany. [3] The production vehicles are expected to carry V10 engines, [4][5] putting the car in market competition with the Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430, the Porsche 911 (997), and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. Pricing is estimated at $225,000.[6]
In 2007, Lexus GB director Steve Settle confirmed that both a V10 and hybrid version of the LF-A would be produced.[7] The hybrid version, combining a petrol engine with electric motors, would likely feature a V8 powertrain similar to that designed for the Lexus LS 600h L. An uprate tuning package is also in development increasing output to 650bhp, costs for this are undecided.(8)
[edit] Racing on the Nürburgring
A Lexus LF-A prototype was entered on 10 May 2008 on the Nürburgring 4 hour VLN endurance race where it surprisingly won the SP8 class[8] with 6 entrants, as all others failed to finish. The best lap time of 9:06 on the 24,4 km version was about 40 secs slower than the best Porsche GT3-RSR, and about on par with Cup-GT3. This resulted in finishing 77th[9] overall among over 200 teams. The Lexus took also part in the 24 Hours Nürburgring [10] on 24/25 May 2008, with four Japanese drivers including Akira Iida leading the team. As car no. 14 [1], it qualified 27th[11] among 223 cars, and finished 7th in the SP8 class of 11 entrants, and 121st overall, with a best lap average speed of 163 km/h, compared to 175 of the fastest cars.