Today Lexus officially revealed the Lexus LFA on its website. Unlike conventional Lexus automobiles, the Lexus LFA is a complete performance car. The LFA, which sprints from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.7 seconds, is equipped with a 552-horsepower 4.8-liter V10 engine and a six-speed automated sequential gearbox. Lexus describes it as “the pinnacle of the Lexus ‘F’ premium sports car series.” For those of you who aren’t car enthusiasts, that’s really really fast.

I have been keeping track of this Lexus for a while now. Ever since Lexus unwrapped plans to build a super car in 2005, I have been waiting endlessly. Today was finally the day. To me, this is just not any ordinary car. It is what Lexus is all about: Pure luxury with great design mixed with speed. No other car manufacturer can stand up to Lexus cars when it comes to safety. Now, Lexus is trying to tap into the performance field, which is currently dominated by Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche. Lexus is getting down to the nitty-gritty details with its highly anticipated LFA V10 supercar, saying on Wednesday at the official launch of the car at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show that it will limit the production run to just 500 units worldwide. It also said the manufacturer’s suggested price is about $375,000.


The LFA has a vast history. This is the sports car we thought we’d never see. Launched in 2005 with some fanfare, LFA prototypes were soon seen lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. We bore witness in 2006 as a seemingly production-ready LFA drove the Fuji International Speedway in Japan. It looked as if the launch was imminent, but it wasn’t. Back the Lexus LFA went to the workshops as the chassis changed from aluminum to carbon-fiber in search of lightness and strength. More showcars appeared and billions of yen were spent to make the car faster and more powerful, and then the economic crisis hit. It looked like the Lexus LFA would die, but the personal will of Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder and the company’s new CEO (and a man who has reportedly raced at the Nürburgring 24 under an assumed name), ensured the car’s survival.

Back the Lexus LFA went to the workshops as the chassis changed from aluminum to carbon-fiber in search of lightness and strength. More showcars appeared and billions of yen were spent to make the car faster and more powerful, and then the economic crisis hit. It looked like the Lexus LFA would die, but the personal will of Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder and the company’s new CEO (and a man who has reportedly raced at the Nürburgring 24 under an assumed name), ensured the car’s survival. Now, a couple years later the production car is ready to roll.

Design-wise, Lexus did a fantastic job. The side-view looks absolutely breathtaking. But, in my opinion, the back angle is by far one of the greatest design elements that I have seen in any car. The triplet of exhausts mounted in a triangle is a neat touch and helps to highlight the carbon-fiber aero diffuser. The rear wing is integrated into the structure and deploys above 50 mph. The overall effect is undeniably dramatic.

The cabin of the 2011 Lexus LFA is crafted with the finest materials, as if each car has been built by hand in the tradition of a fine coachbuilder. The interior is a lavish ensemble of leather, artificial suede, aluminum and carbon-fiber, and only the multimedia system is obviously sourced from the Lexus parts bin.

Overall, the 2011 Lexus LFA is sharp, agile and feels much smaller on the road than, say, the Ferrari 599 GTB. The brakes are also hugely effective, even if they do squeal a little. Though it is extremely expensive and will be completely impossible to find one, the Lexus LFA is an excellent start to a brand new aspect of Lexus. Check out the video below for great shots and sounds of the car.