poita
29th June 2009, 10:04 AM
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=63750&s_cid=xpromo:1
Lexus will reveal a production version of its V10-powered LF-A supercar at this year’s Tokyo motor show. By RICHARD BLACKBURN.
Lexus will reveal a production-ready V10 supercar at the Tokyo motor show in October, ahead of a special build of 500 cars over the next couple of years.
Company insiders have confirmed the Ferrari rival will be priced anywhere between $250,000 and $500,000, depending on specification. About 150 of the cars will be built in right-hand-drive and Australia is expected to get a limited run of about 10 vehicles, possibly over a two-year period.
Lexus has teased the public with concept versions of the supercar, dubbed the LF-A, since the 2005 Tokyo motor show, hinting at a production car but never delivering.
Race-spec versions of the car have competed at the last two Nurburgring 24-hour races in Germany.
Last month, Toyota’s president-elect Akio Toyoda - grandson of the company’s founder – drove the car to 87th place in the big race.
The LF-A is part of a broader Toyota plan to inject more passion into the company’s line-up, which has been criticised for being bland since the demise of the Toyota Supra, MR2 and Celica sports cars.
It is believed that racing enthusiast Toyoda, who takes over the reins of the company later this month, has given the green light to the LF-A and a rear-wheel drive Toyota sports coupe developed in conjunction with Subaru.
That car is also expected to make its public debut at the Tokyo motor show, before going on sale in Japan towards the end of next year.
Websites around the globe have been speculating on the final specifications of the Lexus supercar, based on spy shots and leaks from Tokyo.
UK website Auto Express claims the LF-A’s V10 will boast a 410kW 4.8-litre V10 engine, a six-speed twin-clutch transmission and a top speed of just over 350km/h, putting it on par with the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and the Ferrari Enzo. Other reports have put the power output at a more modest 370kW.
The car was originally designed as a V10 to tie in with the Toyota Formula One team, which was running a V10 engine at the time. There was even speculation that the Toyota team would be renamed Lexus. But it is believed the project was delayed when F1 teams switched to V8 power and Toyota mulled over whether to continue with the existing power plant.
US website Inside Line quotes a Japanese insider as saying the new supercar will feature 6-piston brake calipers with carbon ceramic brake rotors and titanium mufflers.
A hybrid-powered V8 may follow once the LF-A is launched.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2009/05/19/01Lexus-LF-A_L-_m.jpg
Lexus will reveal a production version of its V10-powered LF-A supercar at this year’s Tokyo motor show. By RICHARD BLACKBURN.
Lexus will reveal a production-ready V10 supercar at the Tokyo motor show in October, ahead of a special build of 500 cars over the next couple of years.
Company insiders have confirmed the Ferrari rival will be priced anywhere between $250,000 and $500,000, depending on specification. About 150 of the cars will be built in right-hand-drive and Australia is expected to get a limited run of about 10 vehicles, possibly over a two-year period.
Lexus has teased the public with concept versions of the supercar, dubbed the LF-A, since the 2005 Tokyo motor show, hinting at a production car but never delivering.
Race-spec versions of the car have competed at the last two Nurburgring 24-hour races in Germany.
Last month, Toyota’s president-elect Akio Toyoda - grandson of the company’s founder – drove the car to 87th place in the big race.
The LF-A is part of a broader Toyota plan to inject more passion into the company’s line-up, which has been criticised for being bland since the demise of the Toyota Supra, MR2 and Celica sports cars.
It is believed that racing enthusiast Toyoda, who takes over the reins of the company later this month, has given the green light to the LF-A and a rear-wheel drive Toyota sports coupe developed in conjunction with Subaru.
That car is also expected to make its public debut at the Tokyo motor show, before going on sale in Japan towards the end of next year.
Websites around the globe have been speculating on the final specifications of the Lexus supercar, based on spy shots and leaks from Tokyo.
UK website Auto Express claims the LF-A’s V10 will boast a 410kW 4.8-litre V10 engine, a six-speed twin-clutch transmission and a top speed of just over 350km/h, putting it on par with the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and the Ferrari Enzo. Other reports have put the power output at a more modest 370kW.
The car was originally designed as a V10 to tie in with the Toyota Formula One team, which was running a V10 engine at the time. There was even speculation that the Toyota team would be renamed Lexus. But it is believed the project was delayed when F1 teams switched to V8 power and Toyota mulled over whether to continue with the existing power plant.
US website Inside Line quotes a Japanese insider as saying the new supercar will feature 6-piston brake calipers with carbon ceramic brake rotors and titanium mufflers.
A hybrid-powered V8 may follow once the LF-A is launched.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2009/05/19/01Lexus-LF-A_L-_m.jpg