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| 2011 Lexus LFA |
After years of extensive R&D, Intel, and testing through world famous racetracks, including the Nurburgring, the Lexus LFA revealed its true self after years of being a concept car several times. It was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and production for the LFA starts at the end of 2010 to 2012, limited to just 500 copies worldwide (with 165 available in Japan).
This LFA faced many struggles, including the death of its own Godfather, Hiromu Naruse, at a car accident, driving an LFA Nurburgring Prototype, then crashed with some BMW test vehicle face to face. It seems this will take some time for the LFA to heal its own wounds after the loss of its creator.
This LFA project began in 2000 under the supervision of Mr. Haruhiko Tanahashi, chief engineer, during the Sugo Test Drive. It took 10 years, and a process of trial and error to create an ultimate masterpiece only Toyota Motor Corporation has to offer. In 2005, at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit, the first Lexus LFA was unveiled, following with the sculptured LFA concept at the 2005 Design Week Milan. After showing the concept, the team continues for another trial and error process, and right until 2007, an LFA Concept Type-II is shown at the 2007 North American International Auto Show at Detroit, showing its work in progress. After times of showing its concept form, the LFA prototype joined the legendary Nurburgring 24-Hour Endurance in 2008 and 2009. After prototype testing, the true LFA was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
Powered with the new 1LR-GUE engine, this 4.8L V10 masterpiece can go to about 560PS/8,700r.p.m. and the torque output of 48.9kg-m/6,800r.p.m. It's armed with the 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox. Judging with this new engine, this LFA is truly a Japanese masterpiece under Toyota's right. It's biggest rival was the Nissan R35 GT-R. At first, the LFA defeated the GT-R barely, but this was just the beginning. With the newly facelifted GT-R armed with the improved VR engine, will this rematch between the LFA and Godzilla became a reality? I think I hope so because I can't wait to see this kind of rematch very soon.
LFA customers can choose which color of the LFA suits their taste. There are normal colors and special colors (available in early 2012) available to mix and match for their own personal preference. There are dozens of interior color combination offered which is mostly like the Lexus LS' L-Select customization program offered for Japanese customers or the Godzilla (Nissan GT-R) version of the Lexus L-Select offered from its EGOIST variant. For me, the LFA's car color would be "Whitest White" and the interior should have contained black paneling and red leather seats.
My thoughts about the LFA:
In the Philippines, Toyota Motor Philippines and Lexus Manila will bring the LFA in just one WHITE copy at the cost of over forty million Philippine Pesos. Who would buy that rare item, but they'll have to leave it on display at Lexus Manila. Those who are dreaming to try the Lexus LFA can also try Forza 3 Ultimate Collection (with Stig's Garage Pack DLC) for the XBOX 360 and Gran Turismo 5 for the Playstation3 to test out the capability of the Lexus LFA. It's hard buying the limited-production LFA but thanks to racing video games, they had their first taste.
The Lexus LFA is limited to just 500 models worldwide and remember the saying, first come, first served. But most customers already served their orders since the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Anyway, my impression about the LFA is its remarkable 1LR-GUE engine that has a remarkable power that can blow away the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG!
Guess I already had my taste on the Lexus LFA courtesy of video games such as Forza 3 Ultimate Collection and Gran Turismo 5, so there is nothing to worry about how the Lexus LFA feels like. Besides, the starting sound of the Lexus LFA sounds awesome, I just want to record that sound and be my cellphone's ringtone all day!
Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
Official Site: http://www.lexus-lfa.com/
