The first Lexus LFA supercars arrived in the U.S. in January 2011 and CarReview was invited to a Lexus driver development program with the opportunity to drive the 552 horsepower LFA in its element at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.
To sum it up, the rear-wheel drive LFA is a dynamically styled supercar powered by a sophisticated new high-revving 4.8-liter V10 engine that generates 552 hp (412kW/560DIN hp) and 354 lb-ft (480Nm) of torque for adrenaline-fuelled 202 mph (325km/h) performance. This specially-developed powerplant is hooked up to a unique six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) with paddle shifters for ultimate driver control. Linked by a rigid torque tube for excellent drivetrain integrity, the ASG is located in a transaxle layout over the rear axle for an optimal 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution.
Lightweight, powerful and balanced, the Lexus features advanced Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) construction for its chassis and bodywork to deliver a light, incredibly strong and impact-resistant structure. Rather than out-source this sophisticated materials technology, in a radical move, the LFA team developed its own CFRP processes internally for ultimate quality control and to make a sound engineering investment in the future.
Read our review of Lexus’ supercar for intimate details of the driver’s experience. We recommend subscribing to our RSS feed or becoming a fan of the CarReview fan page on Facebook to keep up with the latest updates. Below is our photo gallery of the LFA and an entertaining video from the chaps at Top Gear.
Top Gear Lexus LFA Review
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