The 4.8-liter V10 engine in the Lexus LFA is based on a racing engine used in Formula 1 vehicles. The track-bred engine produces 354 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm and 552 horsepower at 8,700 rpm. The LFA uses a six-speed single-clutch automated-manual transmission to send power to the rear wheels.
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The Lexus LFA has a V10 or a V12 engine.
Power for the Lexus LFA comes from a 72-degree bank angle. A 4,805 cc (4.8 L; 293.2 cu in) V10 engine with Dual VVT-i and the model number 1LR-GUE can produce up to 412 kW (560 PS; 553 horsepower) at 8,700 rpm. At 6,800 rpm, it can produce 480 Nm (354 lbft) of maximum torque, 90 percent of which is accessible at 3,700 rpm. The engine’s redline is set at 9,000 rpm, although it has a fuel cutoff set at 9,500 rpm [56] and is built with forged titanium connecting rods, solid titanium valves, and aluminum pistons. The LFA’s V-10 engine’s V-angle is tuned to 72 degrees to perfectly balance the pistons’ firing force. Without the need for a split-journal crankshaft, this 72-degree angle enables equal firing from the pistons, increasing engine performance and reducing total weight. Dry sump lubrication lowers the center of gravity of the engine and minimizes oil starvation through sharp turns at high speeds. Direct air intake from below the hood is made possible by a visible slit. Air then travels via a dual-stage variable intake manifold, ten separate throttle bodies, and a dual-stage titanium muffler before leaving the vehicle.
The LFA’s developers chose a V10 engine over a V8 engine of equal displacement because it could be revved up higher[46] and over a V12 engine because it had a smaller reciprocating mass[19][46] and could respond more quickly. An analog tachometer needle could not reliably measure the LFA’s changes in engine speeds, according to Lexus, who claimed that their engine could rev from idle to its redline in 0.6 seconds. This called for the installation of a digital tachometer, which can show engine speed right away. [57] According to reports, the engine is lighter than the 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine produced by the firm. While retaining dependability and vibration control, engineers tried to make the engine sound like one from a Formula One car at high rpm. Toyota had created its own F1 engines and chassis designs, along with other manufacturers like Ferrari. [18] Toyota engineers have referred to the exhaust sounds as the “roar of an angel”[58], and a subsequent US television commercial exploited resonance frequency to cause a champagne glass to shatter. [59]
The LFA: Is it a supercar?
Early in the decade of the 2010s, Lexus created the legendary LFA sports vehicle. With a starting price more in line with a Ferrari, it was costly for a Lexus. There were only 500 produced overall by the brand. The LFA, which has a 4.8-liter V10 engine and is naturally aspirated, is recognized as one of the best-sounding road cars ever created. Prime used examples can now sell for more than $1 million on the market.
It just so happens that the LFA is making a comeback, although in a slightly unexpected form: as an electric vehicle, after years of rumors hinting to its resurrection. Lexus stated they are developing a new battery-electric sports car with the “driving taste” and “secret sauce” of the LFA during Toyota’s EV ambitions announcement. There hasn’t been any news yet on the noise, but hey, speakers these days are amazing.
It can take some time until the LFA is electric in production. The RZ, Lexus’ first EV, won’t go on sale until the middle of 2022. There have been reports coming out of Japan that Lexus will release a new LFA in 2025. However, the same rumors claim that the new LFA will come equipped with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and a plug-in hybrid. The release of the final version may not occur until 2030, according to certain predictions.
The new electric supercar will have a quick 0-60 mph pace of under two seconds, according to Lexus. Additionally, they stated that the intended range is 435 miles, though to be fair, if the stricter EPA criteria rather than those used in Japan are utilized, the number may be lower.
The next sports car might make use of solid-state battery technology, according to Lexus. These solid-state batteries, which Toyota is purportedly developing, would be safer, more resilient, and more energy-dense than current EV batteries.
What are solid state batteries’ main advantages? With a battery pack of the same size, you can travel further. Therefore, manufacturers may either increase the range of current EVs or maintain the same range while significantly reducing vehicle weight. Charges are another significant advantage. A conventional battery would not be able to charge as quickly as a solid-state battery could.
A halo vehicle like the forthcoming electric LFA might be a good place to introduce such technology initially if it is pricey to begin with. Although Toyota has promised to put its first solid-state battery on the road by 2025, sources indicate that it’s more likely to be in a hybrid than a fully electric vehicle.
What number of LFA remain?
According to the listing, the owner of the dealership, Arlington Lexus in Palatine, Illinois, bought the vehicle after it was delivered to the business. However, according to the listing, it has only 72 miles on the odometer and has spent the most of the last nine years on display in the dealership’s showroom. The LFA’s final sale price of $808,000 reflects a profit of $433,000 over its initial sticker price of $375,000 plus any initial dealer discount. Sometimes it makes sense to keep a brand-new car for almost ten years.
Many dealerships kept their LFAs as showcase items to draw customers into their showrooms. Five brand-new, unregistered LFA vehicles were still available as of January 2020, even though production on the model finished in December 2012 and the final vehicle arrived in the United States in February 2013.
The carbon-fiber-bodied LFA was intended to be a halo vehicle for Lexus, elevating the company’s reputation while leveraging some of parent Toyota’s Formula One expertise.
A 5.2-liter V-10 with a 9,000-rpm redline and 552 horsepower and 334 lb-ft of torque powers the vehicle. An automatic manual transmission with six speeds and a single clutch is attached to the high-revving engine.
Despite that magnificent V-10, many people have trouble grasping the concept of a Lexus supercar. In comparison to the rest of the Lexus series, the $375,000 base price appeared absurd. That could help to explain why even the modest 500-unit production run was difficult for Lexus to sell.
According to the listing, this vehicle is one of just five Pearl Yellow versions made for the American market. Though sources disagree on the precise number, less than 200 automobiles were imported into the United States.
Even more than other recent LFA sales, the sale price was high. A brown LFA was listed for sale at a dealership in January with an asking price of $680,000, while a silver LFA sold for $720,000 at an auction earlier this year.
The Uniqueness
The LFA is more than just a typical supercar, despite the fact that it does so obviously. Both the exterior and interior appear to be completely custom-made. Since every single car was totally handcrafted in Japan by a small group of workers known as takumi, the attention to detail is astounding. There’s a slim possibility that you’ll see two LFAs, much less one, at a supercar meet as just 500 of these vehicles were produced.
The Engineering
In addition to having a small number of units produced, the LFA is a marvel of engineering. The first LF-A concept car was unveiled at NAIAS in 2005, but the car’s development actually started back in 2000.
A few years before manufacturing, the development came to an end after continuing continuously for some time. The LFA’s planned aluminum body would be excessively heavy, thus CFRP was chosen instead. It only weights 1480 kg as a result, and when combined with the 552 hp of the 4.8 L V10, you get a vehicle that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 326 km/h (203 MPH). Yes, that does seem impressive, but not really. But how it delivers that power is what really stands out about it. Which brings up the next point.
The Sound
The LFA is arguably best known for its instantly recognizable, distinctive, and high-pitched sound. It’s frequently compared to an F1 car because of this. The engine’s relatively small displacement need higher engine revs in order to produce adequate power. As a result, the redline can reach 9000 rpm.
Who is a Lexus LFA owner?
Only 50 of the even more rare Lexus LFA Nrburgring models left the Motomachi production line, and Pasin Lathouras is the proud owner of one. When visiting the UK, Pasin, who is based in Thailand, drives the LFA on a regular basis. We spoke with him to learn more about what it’s like to drive and own this storied supercar.
LFA a JDM?
The Lexus LFA has become a myth among collectors and JDM car enthusiasts. Only 500 of these renowned Japanese supercars were ever produced, and they are selling like hotcakes to eager purchasers. We came across an extremely uncommon LFA completed in Pearl Brown a few years ago. It sold for $645,000 and was the only one of its kind. At Hyper Voitures, this rare treasure is once again available for purchase for a discount price of $680,000. Is this LFA still a wise purchase, or is the brown paint job a curse?
A V12 has Toyota ever produced?
The Century’s V12 engine is Toyota’s first V12 engine, and it continues to be the first and only V12-powered front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Japanese production automobile.
Can a new LFA still be purchased?
The Lexus LFA is regarded by many as one of the best supercars ever produced. I imagined that since Lexus only produced 500 units, they were immediately consumed. I was mistaken. Despite the fact that Lexus stopped producing the LFA in 2012, Carscoops reports that there are still seven brand-new LFA supercars available for purchase in the United States.
Lexus had stated that it still had 12 LFAs on hand. Five of the automobiles have now been sold. Seven vehicles are still on dealer lots across the nation.
When it was released in 2011, the LFA was a revelation. It took a very, very long time to arrive, but when it did, it astounded many in the automotive press and customers.
That being said, it cost $400,000 to purchase. Potential customers might have found that to be too much. The car is currently available for approximately $350,000, with some excellent models apparently costing as much as $500,000.
All things considered, the LFA featured one of the best V8 engines ever created by a Japanese carmaker. The 4.8-liter V8 produced 352 lb-ft of torque and 552 horsepower. It had a free-revving engine with a chill-inducing exhaust noise.
These cars probably won’t be worth as much as they did when they were first purchased. They’ll probably become collectible cars. However, it appears that not many people are currently prepared to pay for the car. You can pick one of seven cars if you’re one of the few who are willing.