Lexus LFA GTE racer teased in photo by Akira Iida
A photo tweeted by Lexus race driver Akira Iida reveals a motorsport-prepared LFA, fuelling speculation about a forthcoming GTE entry for Le Mans competition.
Lexus race driver Akira Iida has posted a photo on Twitter showing what appears to be a GTE-spec version of the Lexus LFA on a rolling road, providing the first public glimpse of the marque’s anticipated endurance racer. The image, which surfaced in late 2011, confirms months of speculation that Toyota’s luxury division has been developing a motorsport-exclusive LFA variant for international competition.
The standard LFA, powered by a 4.8-litre V10, has already competed in endurance events such as the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in near-production form. The GTE version, hinted at in Iida’s tweet, is expected to be a dedicated race car built to comply with the ACO’s GTE regulations, which govern entries at Le Mans and in the Le Mans Series. No technical details have been released, but a GTE conversion would likely involve significant changes to aerodynamics, suspension, and weight reduction, along with the required safety modifications.
Lexus has yet to confirm plans for an official Le Mans entry, but the timing of the photo and the presence of Iida, who has previously raced the LFA at the Nürburgring, suggest the car is being readied for competition in the 2012 season. If entered, the LFA GTE would face rivals from Ferrari, Porsche, and Aston Martin in one of the most competitive GT categories in endurance racing.
Le Mans ambitions for Lexus
The move towards a GTE entry marks a step up from Lexus’s previous endurance efforts, which used cars closer to road-going specification. A factory-backed GTE programme would signal a new level of motorsport commitment for the brand, potentially raising its profile among European racing teams and fans.
Lexus has not issued an official statement or technical specification for the LFA GTE at this stage. Further details on the car’s development and racing plans are expected in the coming months if the project moves to the competition phase.
