4 Reasons Why I Love The Lexus LFA

Most of you have probably heard about the Lexus LFA at some point, but what makes it so special? Here are four reasons.

The Uniqueness

Obviously, the LFA looks like a proper supercar, but it’s more than just that. The exterior and interior look very unique and bespoke. The attention to detail is astonishing, since all the cars were entirely handbuilt in Japan by a select group of people called takumi. With only 500 cars made, there’s little chance that you’ll encounter two LFAs at a supercar meet, let alone one.

The Engineering

The LFA is not only special because of its limited production run, this car is also an engineering masterpiece. The development of the car began back in 2000, with the first LF-A concept car being revealed at NAIAS in 2005.

The development continued steadily, but reached a halt just a few years before production. The aluminum body planned for the LFA would be too heavy, so a switch was made to CFRP. Because of this, it weighs just 1480 kg, Combine that with the 552 hp of the 4.8 L V10, and you get a car that propels itself from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 326 km/h (203 MPH). Yes, that sounds impressive, but not that impressive. The thing that is impressive about it, though, is the way it delivers that power. Which brings us on to the next point.

The Sound

The thing the LFA is probably best-known for, is its unmistakeable unique and high-pitched sound. That’s why it’s often compared to an F1 car. Since the engine’s displacement is relatively small, it needs to rev higher in order to make enough power. This causes the redline to be as high as 9000 rpm.

Listen to the LFA here.

Nürburgring Edition

As a tribute to (one of) the world’s greatest race tracks, a special edition of the LFA was released, called the Nürburgring Package. It not only featured better aerodynamics and a lighter interior, but also a 10 hp increase and shorter shift times.
The production was limited to 50 units (included in the total of 500). In 2011, this version of the LFA set a Nürburgring lap time of 7:14.64, of which you can watch a video right here.

All in all, I think the Lexus LFA is a great car, it has definitely left a big mark on modern supercars. It has also shown us what Toyota/Lexus are capable of doing if they get the chance.

Please note: this is my first #blogpost, so I’m not sure if everything worked out well with the images and links.