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A Lexus LFA can easily fetch seven figures in today's market, but its unparalleled quality and thrilling engine make it easily worth the price.
The Lexus brand debuted internationally in 1989 with the LS 400 sedan, but, surprisingly, the early premium luxury vehicles had never been marketed under that name in the Japanese domestic market. However, when the board of directors resolved to sell Lexus branded offerings in Japan, Akio Toyoda proposed developing a sporting flagship that embodied how an ultimate Lexus connects to its owner. Despite the overwhelming negativity, the LFA project eventually got the green light, and groundwork began in the early 2000s.
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With a radical departure from standard Lexus practice, the LFA team developed 500 specific non-negotiable engineering standards that would become the template for developing and evaluating all future Lexus models. Lexus sunk huge budgetary and time resources into the project, but the decade-long development yielded a supercar harshly labeled as an expensive irrelevance with a relative performance disadvantage. Despite the underwhelming reception at debut, the LFA supercar is a gem that proves its worthiness and rises above the initial critique. Let's take a closer look at the Lexus LFA and why it's worth every penny.
The LFA initials stand for Lexus Future Apex, a symbolic representation that the supercar stands at the pinnacle of Lexus' pyramid theory of engineering philosophy. Lexus relied on the L-finesse design philosophy to create an exclusive and individual identity that ensures the LFA sends a strong message with a universal appeal that stands the test of time.
The LFA's overall shape comprises complex design elements and sharp breakaway lines involving surfaces that flow from fine, sharp edges into a solid, well-defined central core. The design theme revolves around flexibility and versatility, with the compact front/mid-engine, rear-wheel drive LFA configuration placing occupants close to the vehicle's center.
The LFA's stunning design language is complemented by class-leading aerodynamics, designed to optimize high-speed handling, high-speed stability, and drivetrain cooling with excellent front and rear downforce distribution. At the front, the LFA features hood inlets with rubber seals, a synthetic rubber front lip bumper, turbulence-reducing fins where the A-pillar meets the windshield, and four ridges on the surface of the wing mirrors.
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The LFA's flanks boast subtle rocker fins and air-kick inserts above the rear air intake, while the back flaunts an active rear wing with a gurney flap on the leading edge. In addition, a smooth, flat underbody works together with the upward-sweeping rear diffuser to generate significant downforce. After extensive wind-tunnel testing and computer modeling with Computational Fluid Dynamics programming, Lexus engineers arrived at a drag coefficient of 0.31cd for the LFA, a remarkable result for a supercar.
The great leap forward for the LFA project came with the extensive use of lightweight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic for the body, aided by the near-perfect 48:52 weight distribution and front/mid-engine configuration. From Toyota's heritage in textile weaving and loom technology, Lexus pushed the boundaries with a 360-degree carbon fiber weaving process that rapidly and repeatedly delivered seamless, high-quality LFA components.
According to chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi, the advanced techniques utilized for the LFA include Resin Transfer Molding, Pre-preg, and Carbon-Sheet Molding Compound. Lexus achieved significant weight reduction from this production process, making the LFA's central cabin monocoque from CFRP, while the body-in-white composition is 65% carbon fiber and 35% aluminum alloy.
The LFA features a bespoke track-tuned suspension that engineers extensively tested for an optimum balance of comfort and control, with aluminum front and rear sub-frames providing a stable platform. The multi-link rear and double-wishbone front suspension have hollow aluminum alloy components for a low minimum weight and high strength.
The race-tuned constant-rake rack and pinion steering features compact column-mounted electric power assistance, designed for outstanding feedback and response. In addition, the LFA has exclusive 20-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels that offer a desirable combination of rigidity, strength, and light weight, while the carbon ceramic braking technology was one of the most advanced and powerful at debut.
Lexus engineers prioritized space packaging and obsessed over placing as much weight as possible between the LFA's axles, which resulted in a compact interior that feels more like a cockpit than a cabin. The slim-profile steering wheel, controls layout, and the design of the seats and surrounds was a priority since Lexus wanted drivers to completely immerse themselves in the thrill of controlling the powerful LFA supercar.
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Despite the compact dimensions, the LFA offers a configurable high-tech instrument panel, and the available switch gear is laid out in separate zones according to type and function. Driving controls like the engine start switch are positioned closer to the steering wheel, while air conditioning, navigation, and audio are further out but easily reached by either the driver or passenger.
Lexus engineers developed the LFA on the track, with Fuji Speedway in Japan and the Nürburgring in the German Eiffel Mountains serving as the breeding grounds. Fuji provided early data that allowed the switch from all aluminum to carbon fiber, but the Nürburgring's hairpin turns, jumping spots, high-speed corners, long straights, and undulating road surfaces made it the ideal location to highlight the LFA's flaws and weaknesses.
Relying on test driver Hiromu Naruse's 40 years of experience at the Nürburgring, Lexus' development team tested the LFA to breaking points and customized simple design elements like the shape and size of the steering wheel and paddle shifters for high-pressure driving. With over five years of competitive racing on the circuit, the LFA race team broke, rebuilt, and engineered the LFA into the final driving phenomenon it is.
Lexus fitted the LFA with its first volume-built V-10 engine, a sophisticated 552hp 40-valve engine that revs to 9,000 rpm and generates over 114hp per liter. The bespoke 1LR-GUE involved cooperation between Lexus and specialist Yamaha engineers, a project that yielded key features such as a slightly over-square bore, 88 by 79mm stroke dimensions, a 72-degree bank angle, and a 12:1 compression ratio.
Interestingly, a dual VVT-i, high-volume 12-hole injectors, and equal-length exhaust runners optimize engine flexibility. Other features include a dual intake system for optimal performance, a primary port for optimal torque at mid to low engine speeds, and dual ports to boost breathing efficiency at higher revolutions. Competition-inspired features in the engine include forged aluminum pistons, dry sump lubrication, a fully-integrated crankcase, low-inertia valve springs, and a magnesium alloy cylinder-head cover.
The Lexus LFA has four driving modes designed for optimum versatility in all road conditions; Auto, Normal, Sport, and Wet, accessed through a dash-mounted dial. These four modes form part of the revolutionary Lexus Sport Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, each initiating a unique instrumentation appearance, shift speed, and throttle response curve.
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Auto mode is the default and controls the transmission similar to a conventional automatic vehicle, Normal mode provides smooth, easy driving with manual paddle shifting, Sport mode moderates the VDIM control for the driver to take the LFA closer to its performance limits, and Wet mode sets VDIM operation at normal while slightly muting the throttle response. The LFA also boasts Lexus' first launch control system, a Formula One-inspired system that enables rapid acceleration from a standstill.
Although the LFA is marketed as a supercar, it bears the hallmarks and practicality of a daily driver. Lexus fitted the LFA with a host of luxury appointments and features such as standard dual-zone climate control, seven-inch infotainment, comprehensive navigation, high-output 12-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, handsfree Bluetooth, rear-view camera, eight-way adjustable seats, and Lexus' award-winning Remote Touch system.
Lexus' sophisticated track-honed Sport Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system equips the LFA with an active safety package comprising ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control, and hill-start assist control. The LFA was also the world's first passenger car to feature SRS seatbelt airbags as part of its passive safety suite, standard for both driver and passenger.
Lexus built the LFA as a world-class thoroughbred supercar designed to deliver a supreme driving experience, but the vast resources sunk into the program allowed a limited production run of 500 examples. Part of the LFA's exclusivity involves the largest degree of customization and color palette of any Lexus before it, with more than 100,000 different color combinations, not to mention 12 leather and 10 Alcantara trim options with matching stitching.
In addition to the initial production run, Lexus introduced a track-focused Nürburgring Package to celebrate the LFA's third class-wining outing during the 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Limited to just 50 units, the LFA Nürburgring Edition boasts an 11hp power boost, modified aerodynamic performance, larger front spoiler and fixed rear wing, sports-tuned suspension, 10mm height reduction, and high-grip tires.
Simon Kim has always been passionate about machines since childhood, and this has grown into an obsession well into adulthood. As an avid reader and creative content writer, he finds joy and fulfillment in sharing his love for cars and bikes with other machine heads. Currently, Kim seeks to deliver exciting and informative articles on HotCars. He enjoys music and art and dabbles in active sports and virtual gaming in his spare time.