First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA is wicked and this way comes
It’s taken nearly four days to wrap my head around the 2011 Lexus LFA, and if I’m honest, I’m still not halfway there. The combination of a decade-long gestation, a half dozen prototypes comprised of two different materials, a high displacement V10 that cuts fuel at 9,500 RPM and a $375,000 price tag has left me incapacitated and trembling in a caffeine and nicotine-fueled fetal position for the better part of a week. I can’t make heads nor tails of Lexus‘ first foray into supercardom, simply because nothing exists in the four-wheeled world to put it into perspective. Judging by your comments, I’m not alone.
It’s a front-engine GT, but its MSRP means it doesn’t compete with the Ferrari 599. It’s a technological tour de force nearly on par with the Bugatti Veyron, but its 202 MPH top speed doesn’t come close to the V-max of Ferdinand Piech’s quad-turbo masterpiece. It’s lithe and nimble, but lacks the directness and tactility of the Lotus Elise. Its 3.7-second zero-to-60 time falls short of the GT-R, and it can’t come close to the Nissan’s point-to-point brutality. There’s simply no frame of reference to apply, which begs the question: Why? Why has Lexus invested hundreds of million of dollars, ran a dozen races and developed nearly every single component in-house to build a scant 500 LFAs and offer them to the world’s elite?
It’s a mystery wrapped in an enigma coated in carbon fiber. And there’s obviously more to this story than simply driving impressions and photos. So after last week’s barrage of LFA news, it’s time to take a step back… then get stuck right back in.
Other Lexus Excellent Aticles In AutoFans:
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2009: Lexus reveals $375,000 LFA supercar
+ Look Very Closely: Retouched Lexus LS ushers in new Sport pack
+ Officially Official: Lexus reveals LF-Ch concept in full ahead of 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
+ First Test: 2009 Lexus ES 350
+ Review: 2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality
+ First Drive: 2010 Lexus IS C
+ Lexus Releases LF-A Race Car Images Ahead of 24-hour Nürburgring Race
+ Spy Shots: New Lexus LF-A caught racing the Ring
+ Chicago Auto Show 2009: Lexus expands F-sport parts to includes GS, IS convertible and IS AWD
+ First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX
+ 2010 Lexus RX 450h and RX 350 Revealed at 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show
+ Lexus confirms 2010 RX SUV, IS Convertible and updated LS for L.A. Auto Show
+ 2009 Lexus IS Facelift Priced Cheaper than Previous Model (U.K.)
+ 2010 Lexus RX coming to 2008 LA Auto Show
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First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA is wicked and this way comes
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