The Lexus LFA is a two-seat sports car made by Lexus, the premium automotive division of Toyota (Japanese: LFA, Rekusasu LFA). It is the first solo Lexus F model and the second model in Lexus’ F marque line of high-performance cars, following the IS F. At the North American International Auto Show, three concept versions were shown, each bearing the LF-A moniker as a member of the LF Series concept series. The initial LF-A concept debuted in 2005 following the start of development in the early 2000s (under the codename TXS), and a second idea with a more fully furnished interior and exterior debuted in 2007. In 2008, the LF-third A’s iteration with a roadster body style made its debut. In October 2009, the Tokyo Motor Show hosted the unveiling of the production model, designated LFA[3] by trademark. [4] The “Apex” of the LF line of vehicles is represented by the “A” in the production LFA nomenclature, according to Lexus. [5]
The LFA was an opportunity for Akio Toyoda, CEO of parent firm Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), to establish a global icon for the Lexus brand and represent Toyoda’s philosophy that the ideal Lexus should connect with its owner.
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The Lexus LFA’s production model has a body constructed of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and a 412 kW (560 PS; 553 horsepower) V10 engine created in partnership with Yamaha specifically for the vehicle (CFRP). 65 percent of the mass of the LFA’s body is made up of CFRP components. [7] The LFA began manufacturing in the latter part of 2010. [8] [9] One of the most costly Japanese road vehicles ever produced made its dbut in 2012[10] as a circuit-tuned variation. [11] 500 vehicles were built through December 2012, with a Nrburgring Package model serving as the last vehicle. [12]
Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus Europe, said there wouldn’t be a new LFA replacement anytime soon in February 2016.
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After selling three LFAs in 2019, Lexus still had four LFAs available as of 2020[update]. Despite the fact that the LFA’s production ceased in 2012, two were nevertheless sold in March 2020 and another in September 2020. [14] [15] [16]
In This Article...
The Lexus LFA engine’s manufacturer.
The Lexus LFA’s engine, which is unique to it and is officially known as the Toyota 1LR-GUE, was built for it. It was a gas-powered V10, and because of its smaller overall size than a V8 engine thanks to its 4.8-liter (293.2 cu in) displacement.
In order to keep it lighter than typical V6 engines, it was constructed using a combination of titanium alloy (which is 40% lighter than standard iron) and magnesium alloy (for the cylinder head).
The bore and stroke of the 1LR are 3.46 in by 3.11 in (88 mm by 79 mm), and the angle between the two cylinder banks is 72 degrees.
According to Motor Trend, Yamaha created the cylinder heads for the LFA engine. With four valves per cylinder and twin overhead camshafts, the cylinder heads are equipped with lightweight titanium valves.
Additionally, to increase the engine’s tolerance for extended high-speed cornering, a dry-sump lubrication system is utilized. Additionally, each of its ten cylinders is supplied with air via a separate throttle body, a feature most frequently used in racing cars.
The LFA’s engine generates 552 horsepower (412 kW) at an exhilarating 8,700 rpm and can rev from idle to its 9,000 rpm redline in an astonishingly quick 0.6 seconds. That 115 horsepower (86 kW) per liter specific output is quite high. This was more powerful than the V12 Ferrari and Lamborghini of the time. It only produced 354 lb.-ft (480 Nm) of torque at 6,800 rpm, which was relatively low.
Thanks to smart ECU tuning with regard to the variable valve timing, Joe Clifford writes in Lexus U.K. Magazine that more than 90% of it was produced from 3,700 rpm.
This power allows the LFA to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 mph.
Was the Lexus LFA engine created by Yamaha?
Yamaha Motor has built a number of car engines for Toyota Motor Corp. under contract over the years. One of the most expensive projects among them was the 1LR-GUE 4.8L V10 engine for the Lexus LFA, the company’s flagship supercar. Its performance, when paired with a 6-speed automatic sequential transmission, could propel the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. With Yamaha Corporation’s assistance, the exhaust tone of the car, which sounded like the roar of an angel, was also tweaked. Yamaha modified its cell production method to assemble one engine per day to meet the high quality requirements for this engine, with only 500 of these cars to be produced over roughly two years. Each engine has an aluminum plate bearing the name of the craftsman who hand-assembled the unit to serve as evidence of the high-level work performed.
- Torque maximum: 480Nm (48.9 kgfm)/5,000 rpm
- Overall dimensions are 4, 5050 mm, 1, 895 mm, and 1, 220 mm.
- Type of engine: 4,805cm3 liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, V10
- Power output maximum: 412.0 kW (560 PS)/8,700 r/min
- 6-speed transmission
- 1,480 kilograms
*All numbers, stats, etc. in a model’s specifications or description are from the time the model was first offered.
*The car on show is a development prototype that differs from the final product.
Do Toyota and Lexus share an engine?
The engines used by Lexus brands are almost identical to those used by Toyota. A four-cylinder, a V6, or a V8 are the three types of engines found in Lexus vehicles. For instance, the 3.5Ltr V6 Engine is shared by the Toyota Avalon and the Lexus ES.
The number of cylinders in an engine varies, and the more cylinders an engine has, the more powerful it is. Consequently, the V8 has twice the power of the four-cylinder engine.
Engines with fewer cylinders, however, offer additional benefits. They are more fuel-efficient and lighter. The engine will weigh and cost more as the number of cylinders increases.
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 posted 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.
Why is the Lexus LFA forbidden in America?
Is Toyota becoming more like Apple? You’re being sold a product, but they’re telling you how to use it?
The Lexus LFA supercar’s buying regulations may be loosening up a touch for American buyers.
When Lexus unveiled the LFA last year, the Japanese automaker stated that only American customers on lease would be able to purchase one. The decision was made because Lexus didn’t want consumers to profitably sell the limited series car to another client. The car could only be purchased outright after the two-year lease period.
Recently, Lexus published new, more rigorous terms while reversing course (a bit). Customers in the United States can buy the car, but they are only permitted to return it to the dealer for the sticker price or its fair market value, whichever is lesser, for the following two years. The dealer is owed the sale’s profit plus legal fees if the owner sells the LFA privately without first providing the dealer the buyback option. Ouch!
With its first entry into the supercar market, where it will compete with names like Ferrari and Lamborghini, does Lexus really want to hurt itself? Evidently so.
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.
What automobiles have Yamaha motors?
June 16, 2014, IWATA The three millionth automobile engine was made by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo:7272). At the Iwata Main Factory, where these engines are put together, a ceremony was conducted to commemorate this achievement. Along with almost 200 representatives from the Automotive Business Unit* and the Manufacturing Center, Takaaki Kimura, the senior managing executive officer and representative director of the company, attended the occasion.
Beginning in 1964, the company entered the automotive engine market by developing and manufacturing the Toyota 2000GT in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation (released 1967). At the moment, Yamaha Motor concentrates on creating and manufacturing automotive engines for various automakers. The business has so far provided engines to Ford and Volvo in addition to Toyota Motor.
Yamaha Motor’s motorcycle technology, which enables the production of high-revving, light-weight, and compact engines, is one of its strengths. Yamaha Motor is now the supplier of the 2.5-liter V6 engine for the Lexus IS/GS, Toyota Crown, and Toyota Mark X. In recent years, Yamaha Motor was involved in collaborative development and manufacturing of the V10 Engine for the Lexus supercar LFA.
Yamaha Motor manufactured its one millionth engine in 1989 and its two millionth engine in 2005 before reaching the present milestone of producing 3 million car engines.
* The Automotive Business Unit develops and produces automobile engines, suspension systems, and other items that make use of pertinent technologies.