The Lexus LFA Is an Engineering Marvel, and Not Just Its Engine
There is a story behind every supercar. Some of them are interesting. While the tractor dispute between Ferrari and Lamborghini is rehearsed to this day, the stories of more recent supercars can be just as intriguing. A prime example is the Lexus LFA. The tale of this car, often labeled a failure, has a lot of twists and turns.
How a supercar is born is often both very complicated and extremely simple. The LFA is no different. The idea originated with a small group: Toyota engineer Harohiko Tanahashi, test driver and engineer Hiromu Naruse, and Akio Toyoda. You know, the grandson of the guy who started Toyota. This trio had the vision and the clout to greenlight a project as ambitious as developing a supercar, despite a lot of pushback.
Their plan to build a supercar ballooned into a moonshot project with only three rules: No shared parts, no committees, and no compromises. This doesn’t sound that extreme until you factor in the capabilities of Toyota, a global business with powerful engineers and partners. Toyota used the LFA to dip its toe in the waters of many fascinating technologies. For example, the carbon-fiber chassis tub was produced in-house. So were the fiberglass body panels, which are impregnated with glass microballoons which make the panels less dense and 13 percent lighter.
And that’s all before even bringing up the most famous feature: The Yamaha-developed, 4.8-liter 1LR-GUE V-10. It’s a mouthful to say, but a delightful earful to hear. The sound of an LFA is as close to the wail of a Formula 1 car as any production car is likely to get. The 552-hp engine is compact and powerful, allowing the engineers to place the powerplant below the top of the tires. The crankshaft is below the axle centerline, thanks to the dry-sump oiling system.
The LFA is a lot more than it appears, and history needed a slight reset that arrives thanks to Jason Cammisa and his Revelations series. Give the video a watch below, and gain a better understanding of just how absurd the world gets when a company like Toyota decides a halo car should truly be a halo car. The LFA is also one of the few times the halo actually shared its glow with vehicles further down the lineup; this car helped create Gazoo Racing and other efforts that still shape the cars and customers Toyota creates and attracts.
It may have all that but it lacked that styling edge. The car dies not fit the exotic look. It looks like a Lexus coupe. Nothing more.
I can’t disagree. Personally, I’ve only come to truly appreciate the LFA as I have learned more about it’s development and interesting features. The styling was not something that grabbed me
Not every discriminating buyer with the financial means wants attention. Not wanting the attention of an Anniversary Lamborghini Countach..
The side profile looks like a Corvette C7 roof and hood sitting on a Cadillac XLR body side panels and XLR rear quarter panel, thus not exactly forward thinking or original styling.
Rehashed, not rehearsed.
How about the ridiculous cost.
I love it. I have driven it. If I could have purchased one I would have made a killing selling it. It was fine around town and fun to push. The single clutch transmission did not bother me at all, it felt like a manual when it shifted. Now I never got to track day one and go 10/10th’s but I still love it. The LFA looks great, even better in the limited Nurburgring edition and I think it looks exotic, but reserved / conservative. If you are stuck on the brand then it’s likely not for you. It is a not very Lexus like in the sense that only a few techs are allowed to touch it and there are some incredibly particular repair and maintenance things that absolutely have to be followed to the letter. It’s not a car for everyone. I would take one if I had the means.
I guess that engine isn’t going to become available in a boneyard for a swap into a MkIII or MkIV Supra anytime soon.
For me the styling missed the mark.
The problem is that they styling runs that fine line between bland and ugly….it would suck to pay more than Ferrari prices and have most people think your car is a Celica with a body kit. It’s not really all that fast either, and interesting but highly overrated car.
I have seen quite a few up close and I personally think it’s handsome in an understated way. Way beyond my means, but like others have said, if I had the coin I would’ve gotten one at the time.