Lexus LF-A Supercar concept revealed!, what happend HONDA??

[K.O.]

concept is a vision closely aligned with the company’s Formula One commitment to achieving superiority among its rivals in speed, quickness, agility and reliability.

Is it me or does Toyota's PR department work in overdrive. I guess 9 points in the championships does warrant a supercar and all its flashy decor. I bet if Toyota gets a podium this year, we will never hear the end of it.

Honda though is disappointing me as of late. They get 2nd place in F1, the Indy 500, and the IRL championship and unless you are into these things, you may never know. They say that what they learn trickles down to their production cars yet Honda does not develop a V8 or more. Hmmm...IRL engines are V8 and F1 are V10. I bet you Honda, that you have learned a lot about V8's and V10's that you can show some companies what a technologically advanced V8 can do. The only thing Honda must have learned this year that trickled down to the Nsx was that Jensen Button and Takuma Sato wanted a Cd player in their F1 car and not a tape deck.

 

[Ponyboy]

I think this is the first time I've ever disagreed with Geniepoo - cuz I gotta say that I think the car looks beautiful. Nice simple lines, modern interpretation of the SC400, and gorgeous interior.

And is that a track map near the gauge cluster? For some reason it looks strangely familar. Could it be a GT3 track?

 

[nsxn8]

Disappointing design: Aston Martin's A, B & C pillar and roof; Corvette's rear end; nsx's cockpit...

The aero dynamic looks interesting though, wondering what needs to be done if one wants to modify the exhasut?? No tubi for them for sure!!

Don't worry, that's what the Huge Subwoofers beneath each tail light are for. I'm sure they could be programed to imitate the sound of Tubi!!! That LF-A must have more exhaust note options than my cell phone has ringsrs!! :biggrin:

 

[blknsxnoc]

What? Don't you think it runs the same lines as the Cadillacs? I agree, it looks like a new Supra to me as well.

this design appears much more complete to me than the Cadillac Art & Science lines.. Cadillacs look like they were conceived out of cardboard...

 

[brahtw8]

The engine stats sound great. However, the car is ugly as sin. If anything, lets hope it gets Honda motivated.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[NRG]

I like it...it's nice.

Shoot...if it's 60K, i'll take one over the NSX...wow..enough horsepower for me.

 

[Deuce B]

I dig it.

I'd take it over ANY nsx I've ever seen.

 

[UxiNSX]

That thing is butt-ass ugly.

 

[NetViper]

I like it...it's nice.

Shoot...if it's 60K, i'll take one over the NSX...wow..enough horsepower for me.

I thought it was projected to cost closer to $100K. Did it say $60,000 somewhere?

 

[ADNOH]

That thing will never ever be 60k. Just look at how much the SC430 is and what it offers. i guess between $110K-130K
check out the new article http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101562

 

[Johnny@JETZ]

"Show-car and production-car specs are closely guarded secrets. Toyota won’t give up suspension details, nor will it even say which end of the car the engine sits in, though further digging indicates it’s probably a mid-
engine car."

mid-engine???

"The rumors alone are enough to get you excited, though: Power might be in the 500-hp range from a V10 engine of less than 5.0 liters of displacement. A V8 might be used if F1 rule changes, set for 2006, reflect that. The target weight is said to be less than 3000 pounds, with a top speed upward of 190 mph."

weight less than 3000 pounds??? can anyone tell me how much F430 weight? this might be faster than F430

 

[ADNOH]

"Show-car and production-car specs are closely guarded secrets. Toyota won’t give up suspension details, nor will it even say which end of the car the engine sits in, though further digging indicates it’s probably a mid-
engine car."

mid-engine???

"The rumors alone are enough to get you excited, though: Power might be in the 500-hp range from a V10 engine of less than 5.0 liters of displacement. A V8 might be used if F1 rule changes, set for 2006, reflect that. The target weight is said to be less than 3000 pounds, with a top speed upward of 190 mph."

weight less than 3000 pounds??? can anyone tell me how much F430 weight? this might be faster than F430

MT estimates 3300 pounds. The Lexus also seems to have better aerodynamics.

 

[NetViper]

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101619



Lexus wants $100,000-plus flagship supercar; version of LF-A concept likely to be built
MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 1/19/05

LEXUS LF-A CONCEPT PHOTOS

Seeking to enter the rarified world of super high performance, Lexus Division unveiled the LF-A concept at the Detroit auto show.

Executives say the concept is still in the consideration phase, but such statements are made with a wink. When pressed, Toyota sources said the sports car likely would appear in about three years, when Lexus’ upcoming product barrage hits a lull.

“The Lexus brand has reached a point where we can step up a bit, but we need to keep in mind what got us here,” said Denny Clements, Lexus Division general manager.

Toyota also wants to promote its entry into Formula 1 racing. But this car would be too expensive to carry a Toyota badge, executives said.

Jim Press, COO of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., compares the LF-A’s performance to that of a Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin DB9.

Lexus engineers said the engine would either be a V8 or V10, depending on potential rule changes made by the Formula 1 bosses. Press said the engine will have more than 500 hp from an engine displacing less than five liters.

Test cars have reached top speeds of around 200 mph at Toyota’s Arizona proving ground.

The LF-A rides on a wheelbase of 103 inches, and is 173 inches long.

If produced, the vehicle would cost more than $100,000.

A Toyota source says the car will not have a hybrid powertrain

 

[Silver F16]

Engine sits under the front hood. The radiators are in the back of the car for weight distribution and low hood line. Transmission is in the rear.

 

[ADNOH]

Engine sits under the front hood. The radiators are in the back of the car for weight distribution and low hood line. Transmission is in the rear.

Huh? really? The Car does look like it is FR, but can you explain to me why would a FR car need Two Large side scoops and two more shoulder scoops? It is MR all the way.

 

[Silver F16]

Huh? really? The Car does look like it is FR, but can you explain to me why would a FR car need Two Large side scoops and two more shoulder scoops? It is MR all the way.

The top scoops are intakes for the 2 radiators. The bottom scoops are for the rear brakes.

 

[ADNOH]

The top scoops are intakes for the 2 radiators. The bottom scoops are for the rear brakes.

I can understand that the shoulder scoops are for the radiators but rear brakes dont need that large of a scoop for cooling. Both of us are firm on where the engine sits so i would like to know what other prime members think where the engine sits.

 

[ChrisK]

I can understand that the shoulder scoops are for the radiators but rear brakes dont need that large of a scoop for cooling. Both of us are firm on where the engine sits so i would like to know what other prime members think where the engine sits.

I have no facts on where the engine sits, but just from this picture it surely looks to me that there is just too much roon under the rear side of this car to have an engine back there so I'm betting it is up front. Just looking under the car you can practically see empty space half way to through the underside of the car.

 

[ibDursty]

Looks FE with the raidators in the rear as mentioned above. I like interior (probably because it mimicks THE NSX center console to a degree). The front does look like a Saturn though. To me, as a whole Saturn makes the uglist cars I've ever seen from a modern manufacturer. I'm sure the production model will be a little more appealing that the show car. I think if they change the light arrangment in the front and do something with that huge ass this car has, it will look loads better.

 

[TigerNSX]

In regard to LF-A, a subscriber of AutoWeek (1/31/2005) states via "Fast Poll" that

"If Toyota is looking to reproduce the sales figures of the Acura NSX, it is on the right course."

 

[Zuerst]

In regard to LF-A, a subscriber of AutoWeek (1/31/2005) states via "Fast Poll" that

"If Toyota is looking to reproduce the sales figures of the Acura NSX, it is on the right course."

See is that the sales figures 14 years ago or more recently? :biggrin:

 

[TheYellowBeast]

They should just release that car they did for The Minority Report!

 

[Doc C]

The styling is controversial, but you have to at least give Toyota/Lexus some credit for saying they will build the car and giving an approx time that that will happen. There are probably a lot of Toyota/Lexus fans saving their coins right now waiting to get one of those cars. We, on the other hand sit here and wonder what's going to happen to the love of our lives while Honda/Acura plays BS cat and mouse games with info about their next supercar. If this Lexus comes out and has V8 or V10 with 500 HP and Honda still has the NSX the same as it has been, I would consider jumping to that brand even if the styling is not quite as good as I'd like. 500 HP with V10 makes things look a lot better!! Knock it all you want, but at least Toyota is taking a risk and putting it out there rather than screwing around with the heads of its faithful following.

 

[nsxtacey]

It just doesn't look like a supercar to me, let alone a +100k car. Looks more like a luxury car than a sports car. Maybe the toyota verison will be more exotic looking but what a difference in price from the supra back in the day. I think alot of people; including myself, would rather buy a nice used F360. :biggrin:

 

[qirex]

I think its definitely mid engined.

As in behind the front axle. Look how short the nose is, yet how large the cab/glass are.


When you look at the ass end of a 996 turbo - and you understand *packaging*.

Those fans *do* look like radiators, and I bet that the top ducts are the induction system (a la F360, F430)

Yep, mid engined all the way!
S