Lexus LFA Supercar Makes Global Debut at Tokyo Motor Show
The Lexus LFA, powered by a 552hp V10 and limited to just 500 units, launches as the brand’s first supercar and new flagship for the Lexus F performance line.
Lexus has unveiled its first supercar, the LFA, at the Tokyo Motor Show, confirming a production run limited to 500 units worldwide. The car will be assembled to customer order at the Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, with production starting in December 2010 and continuing for two years.
The LFA is powered by a 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine, developed specifically for this model. The engine produces 552hp and 354lb ft of torque, with a redline at 9,000rpm. Lexus quotes a top speed of 202mph. The powertrain is matched to a six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) with paddle shifters, mounted at the rear in a transaxle layout to achieve a 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution.
Lexus developed the LFA’s carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) chassis and bodywork in-house, rather than outsourcing the technology. The company claims this approach allowed greater control over quality and design, enabling features such as the sharply sculpted rear edges that would not have been possible with traditional metal panels. CFRP construction is central to the car’s light weight and rigidity.
Design and performance features
The LFA adopts a front-mid engine layout, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a low, snug cabin. The suspension uses lightweight aluminium alloy components, while braking is handled by carbon ceramic discs. Steering is via an electrically assisted rack and pinion system. Lexus engineers focused on aerodynamics and weight balance, with the car’s shape and underbody designed for high-speed stability.
- 4.8-litre V10 engine: 552hp, 354lb ft, 9,000rpm redline
- Six-speed ASG transaxle for rear weight bias
- CFRP chassis and body for low weight and rigidity
- Carbon ceramic brakes and aluminium suspension
- 202mph top speed (claimed)
Inside, the LFA is strictly a two-seater, with a driver-focused cockpit assembled by hand using high-end materials. Lexus states that ergonomics, acoustics and visibility were engineered to centre the experience on the driver. Each car will be built to customer order, with assembly handled by a dedicated team of technicians at a rate of no more than 20 per month.
Production and exclusivity
Lexus will display the LFA at several major US events following its Tokyo debut, including the SEMA show in Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2009, before further appearances at Detroit, Chicago, Dallas and New York in 2010. The LFA serves as the flagship for Lexus’s F performance portfolio, marking a clear departure from the brand’s traditional luxury focus towards high-performance engineering.
