Lexus F-Sports Apex, or LFA, is the abbreviation for the “Apex” of the Lexus premium sports-blended “F” series. Apex refers to the top. Additionally, the Lexus Future Advance initials serve as the name of the concept version of this vehicle.
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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.
As to why Lexus created the LFA,
The Lexus LFA was only produced for one model year, 2012, at Lexus’s request. It was successful for Lexus to create a V10 supercar that could compete with those made by European manufacturers like Porsche and Lamborghini. They were aware from the start that they would only be able to produce 500 LFAs, and they all sold out in the first year.
Because the Lexus is a very expensive vehicle, Lexus sought to limit manufacturing to protect the value for those who purchased one. Due to the high cost of research and development for the LFA, which had a starting price of $375,000, Lexus was still losing money on every unit that was sold.
Once all 500 Lexus LFAs were sold, the company stopped producing them. Due to rising demand in recent years, this has caused the LFA’s value to rise.
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.
The Lexus LFA’s demise: why?
Last but not least, the price tag of this supercar was the main factor in its failure. The LFA debuted in 2011 with a windscreen sticker that read $400,000 on the market. It cost almost twice as much as a Ferrari 599, the same model.
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.
Which car is the most uncommon?
The 25 Most Expensive Cars in the World
- Ferrari’s 250 GT California SWB Spider from 1961. Price or estimated value: $17.2 million.
- Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita from 2009.
- Lamborghini Veneno from 2013.
- Pagani Huayra BC from 2017.
- Oldsmobile F-88 from 1954.
- Ford GT40 from 1964.
- Icona Vulcano Titanium, 2016.
- Pagani Zonda Revolucion from 2013.
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 sounds fantastic, but why?
Putting exclusivity aside, the LFA is now a favorite with Youtube users because of the unmatched audio performance of its specialized 1LR-GUE 4.8-liter V10 engine. Together with Yamaha, who also assisted in fine-tuning the exhaust system’s acoustics, this unusual engine was created. According to Lexus, the 1LR-GUE produces a decent 553 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque when cranked all the way up to 9,000 rpm.
This V10 was created by Lexus with an emphasis on reaction rather than power. Although the team had the option of pursuing a V8 engine with a comparable displacement or a V12, the V10 design ended up providing the best response because of its little reciprocating mass. Lexus made the infamous claim that the LFA’s V10 could rev from idle to redline in only 0.6 seconds, necessitating the use of the distinctive digital gauge cluster.
Dyno results of 531 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque are impressive in today’s context for a tweaked VW GTI rather than a specialized supercar. However, the LFA’s major focus is on fostering engagement rather than power, making it a special product that will undoubtedly stay in demand for years to come.