The appointment of racing enthusiast Akio Toyoda as Toyota CEO has breathed new life into the Lexus LF-A project. After being frozen some months ago the car has recently been thawed and spied testing around the Nurburgring. Speculation is that a near-production model will appear at this month's Tokyo Motor Show. Lexus will only confirm that a two-seat supercar will make its world premier at the show. "This concept vehicle epitomizes the purest form of driving exhilaration and performance," a statement says.
The LF-A has been under development since its debut as a concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Back then company top brass spoke of a 200mph sports car to compete with the likes of Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 430. Since then spies have caught it on and off doing testing around the ‘Ring as well as other places. Word speaks of a V10 powerplant worth over 368kW (500hp).
Another highlight mentioned for Lexus is the Japanese premier of the LF-Ch 5-door compact concept car, a future rival for the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. Unveiled in Frankfurt last month, the vehicle is equipped with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, sports 225/35R20 front tyres, 225/35R20 at the rear and is 4.3 metres long.
cronan
October 7, 2009 4:55 PM
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