Lexus LF-A Production Prototype Shows Bigger Retractable Rear Wing at Nurburgring

By Thami Masemola
May 12, 2009 5:27 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Lexus, Nürburgring, Spy Photos

The Lexus LF-A is nearing its production-version public debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Spy pictures (and now a video) taken at the Nurburgring's Nordschleife reveal the rear diffuser back on the car. Secondly when the production car was last spied in 2007 the rear wing was visible but smaller than the one seen here. Also Lexus seems to have redesigned the air scoops that sit on the upper rear quarter panel behind the door windows. These were covered up in yesterday's photos. Lastly the side mirrors sport a new sharper shape.

Toyota is really getting serious with the LF-A (which may not be called that in final production). These and other previous spy pictures prove that development has now been accelerated to meet the speculated release date of 2011.

Rival Honda has frozen its new generation NSX due to the bad economic climate. Therefore the LF-A will have the Nissan GT-R as the only fellow Japanese to compete against. The two will be contrasted by the fact that the LF-A has a V10 engine with over 500hp (368kW) while the GT-R uses a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 for its 485hp (357kW).

Update with Video (18th May 2009).

Comments

N20_Purge
May 12, 2009 6:13 PM
Has to be a very, VERY good car if it dreams of being a Porsche/GT-R rival. So far, in terms of visuals and performance, the LF-A seems promising.

chris25
May 12, 2009 6:45 PM
That will be a moving spoiler like the SL65 black series & that car is looking evil like it can eat somebody.

HEMI426
May 12, 2009 9:00 PM
I think from now on I'm gonna have a lot more respect for every new petrol car that hasn't got a turbo/supercharger/compressor engine

Renegade
May 12, 2009 9:51 PM
I already want it, and we didn't saw it yet.

Get_real
May 12, 2009 10:46 PM
and you should HEAR it! It sounds fantastic...

Phil_Owns
May 13, 2009 12:34 AM
Front engine setup? No thanks...

sensei
May 13, 2009 3:01 AM
Honda is holding off on the NSX due to the poor economy. But, just how bad is it? Anyone knows the GTR numbers? Maybe now is not so bad.

BrianWCF
May 15, 2009 11:16 AM
Six photos have been added to article.

scratchy996
May 18, 2009 4:01 PM
i bet Toyota will claim a sub 7 minutes Ring time for this car.

IKA595
May 18, 2009 4:22 PM
Runs realy good,It will be expensive toy for Lex Lovers not more.I never heard,seen that potentional buyer of M3 or C63 who bought is-F only If it was Lex lover.So my word the limited production.

Renegade
May 18, 2009 4:40 PM
Hmmm...the people didn't trust the F badge like they trust the M one, but I'm sure that if that in a few years if Lexus keeps doing a good job and if we will have a GS-F,LS-F and a second gen. IS-F they will steal some clients from the germans. It's the old story, healthy food --- http://www.sushimania.com/uploads/tx_QRS/Sushi_attack.jpg --- vs. fried fat---http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/1795050685_988949ccdd_o.jpg---


Edited by user on May 18, 2009 at 5:16 PM
nederina
May 18, 2009 5:27 PM
i think it will fit in as the mercedes' forthcoming sls amg arch rival.

kimbo
May 18, 2009 5:49 PM
wow it sounds like a Carrera GT!

jamaicandude
May 18, 2009 5:51 PM
Nothing quite like the sound of a high strung NA V10. I remember a prototype ran a confirmed 7:24 back in '07. Doesn't mean the final version will automatically live up to that, but it's a promising start.

IKA595
May 18, 2009 6:34 PM
To Renegade.Somewhere i agree with you but is exact not about GS.The M devision eat such ideas on breakfast,E-AMG other story.LS fantastic car don't need f and other things i have seen the tuned model's of Ls it was awful.It's perfect how it is.What about is-f absolute agree few gen and we will se realy good shaken car real competitor with own claims and tricks.

jhoffcb7
May 18, 2009 6:47 PM
has it been 10yrs yet, whens this thing coming?

Renegade
May 18, 2009 7:15 PM
10 years, from when? It's been presented first in Detroit 2007 or 2006, anyway it's using the Camaro marketing strategy.

awhk
May 19, 2009 4:16 AM
Probably 2032... The problem is they cannot engineer it to beat the GTR; therefore the car cannot be released yet.


Edited by user on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 AM
9TNine
May 18, 2009 7:31 PM
Nice...

but is this really the true replacement for the Toyota Supra but with a $20k badge?

Swifty
May 18, 2009 10:18 PM
I think that Supra should be a totally stand alone car, so with inline-6 and TT and of course a lot of carbonfibre and ceramic brakes, and all new tech on everything...and of course RWD!!! and Lexus LF-A should be on other hand a 5.0 V10 NA high-revving beast with RWD and a lot od racing tech!

There should be two different cars in terms of getting the result in different way!

In that case even Honda would re-animate NSX!

And we will be pleased to see a bunch of Japs terrorizing others :)

Renegade
May 18, 2009 11:03 PM
And terrorizing eropeans and americans too.

Aesthetics
May 19, 2009 5:03 PM
this car will be very differet from the gt-r and will have much more power.

actually it would interesting had they maintained turbocharing it with that rear radiator. just think the front has a stand alone intercooler, really clean set up but i guess lexs decided running a v10 would bring more class.

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