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 was last manufactured when?
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 number of Lexus LFAs is what?
Because Lexus only produced 500 LFAs in total, with about 190 of those being manufactured in a US version, a significant factor in the LFA’s legendary and bespoke status was its limited production.
It really is the best illustration of what years of hard work and dedication can produce for Lexus. The fact that they are not made in quantities equivalent to those of other supercars, let alone your typical family saloon car, also demonstrates why the vehicle is so distinctive and totally customisable.
What caused the Lexus LFA to be retired?
Unfortunately, only 500 of the Lexus LFA were ever produced because it was unable to garner enough interest from car consumers.
Will the LFA ever resurface?
According to one Japanese publication, one of Japan’s current supercar icons could make a comeback in 2025, but say goodbye to the roaring Yamaha V10 engine.
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.
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 was the total loss for each LFA for Lexus?
The Lexus LFA had a ten-year gestation period, which contributed to its high production costs. Even with a steep $375,000 asking price, Lexus lost money on each LFA that was sold. But well, people who pay get wonderful things. (I assume that is the saying.)
If Lexus decided to reenter the supercar market, might it repeat the same error?
Yoshihiro Sawa, president of Lexus, reacted with both sides of his brain when asked by Autocar if his firm would like to try it all over again with an LFA replacement, effectively replying, “Sure, but probably not right now,” presumably to the relief of his accountants.
Although it’s necessary to have dreams, Sawa stated, “For the time being, it’s a really complicated scenario. I truly want to do an LFA successor. Even though I would like to answer that query, we currently have other priorities. These priorities reportedly include a three-row, Range Rover-baiting RX and the upcoming UX compact crossover. (Man, you’re killing us.)
The Lexus LFA, with its monstrously atmospheric, 552-hp, 4.8-liter V-10, roared to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reached a high speed of 202 mph. Today, the breathtakingly attractive LC coupe is put together at the former LFA plant in Motomachi. Although the production-spec LFA has been around for eight years (nearly to the day), we think a modern LFA 2.0 would include electrification and a much bigger predator grille. Which is really darn seductive.
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.
Was LFA a failure?
Lexus eventually released the LFA after a decade of development and thorough testing, but nobody bought it.
The Lexus LFA is not only an excellent sports vehicle, but it is also an engineering marvel and a stunning work of art. The LFA, the Millau Viaduct in France, and the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland would be among the top 10 structures ever created if engineering were to someday be considered an art form.
Creating the LFA wasn’t simple. Everyone is already familiar with the tale. Over the course of six years, Toyota engineered and designed the vehicle, and just as it was about to be completed, an engineer questioned whether carbon fiber would make for a better body. After undergoing a revision, it took another four years before the car was unveiled at the 2010 Frankfurt Motor Show in its final production form. Toyota famously lost money on each and every one of the 500 LFAs it made despite selling them for an eye-watering $375,000 each. Although the LFA was seen as a commercial failure, its popularity has grown over the past few years to the point where used cars now fetch double or even more than the MSRP.
Therefore, even if it is extremely improbable that the majority of car aficionados ever drive, let alone see, an LFA, we can still daydream about it and enjoy its heavenly engine sound online. The LexusLFA is the most underestimated supercar ever created for the following ten reasons.