The current global economic slump has curtailed several future vehicle plans, including Honda’s next-generation NSX supercar, but Toyota has announced the tough economic climate won’t be sidelining its foray into the supercar segment.
Toyota is predicting its first ever operating loss for the fiscal year that ends in March 2009, but the Japanese automaker apparently has enough cash on hand to keep its supercar program up and running. According to Autoexpress, Toyota’s Lexus luxury brand is continuing development of its LF-A supercar, with the hopes of producing at least a few racing-spec models in 2009. Earlier reports had the LF-A delayed until at least 2010.
The news that the LF-A is still on schedule for a 2009 launch also signifies that Lexus engineers may have had a performance breakthrough. Part of the reason for the original delay was that the LF-A couldn’t best the Nissan GT-R’s and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s sub 7 minute 30 second ‘Ring lap times. Lexus engineers were adamant about not launching the LF-A until it could match the competition, so the news that it is inching towards production is a good sign the LF-A is closing in on that goal.
12/29, 6:44 PM
posted by:
Das Stig
All I can say is, thank God.
12/29, 6:49 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
This car needs to be made. Beauty.
12/29, 7:00 PM
posted by:
atoms
….their making it, their not making it, if they spend as much time deciding as they do on development it would be done by now, just finish it and then tell us toyota/lexus your not helping by pulling pedals off a daisy
12/29, 7:26 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Das Stig is right. THANK GOD. I’ve been looking forward to this car like no other.
12/29, 7:45 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
While I’m not against the LF-A, I have to say that TOYOTA/LEXUS needs to see more than just the Hot lap but the real battle performance.
Of the C6 CORVETTE line, primarily the Z06 and the ZR-1, The GT-R35, and the still waiting LF-A, only the CORVETTE is race/battle tested as a proven winner. It is a brutal and consistent performer. The C6 is not the fastest or most agile, but it is tough and steady and gets it done.
TOYOTA should focus on building a winner that can slug it out in a long heated race rather than whether or not it is the fastest in a totally unofficial and really unimportant hot lap competition. From what I’ve seen so far. the LF-A could be a fighter able to met and maybe beat the C6 (don’t know if it can, it hasn’t happened yet) at the race track.
My only concern is that funky cooling system. I’m all for interesting design, but this is just weird. A Front-mid engine car with the radiators in the Rear-mid position. They say it is to lower the nose and better the weight balance, but I think they are just being strange, if it does not work, or unique, if it does.
But enough of that….
WHERE IS MY NEW SUPRA CAR, WOMAN!
12/29, 7:54 PM
posted by:
DrFill
This car is sex on wheels!
Having seen it in person, can’t be touched, asythetically, by Vettes, Nissans, or Acuras
Last time Toyota put this much time and effort in sports cars, we christened the legendary Supra the King of Kings!
For less than 200k, they can sell up to 1000 annually without a problem
And it sounds as sweet as it looks!
Check YouTube non-believers!
The future’s so bright
I gotta wear shades!
DrFill
12/29, 8:15 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
So they avow to keep the LF-A alive but delay their small coupe project with Subaru. Huh. I’m not bitching because I want to see the LF-A as much as the next guy, but speaking on behalf of the po’ folk it strikes me as an odd way to prioritize.
12/29, 8:50 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Not odd to me
If can throw down $200k, YOUR A PRIORITY!
DrFill
12/29, 10:04 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
DrFill, if I was a priority they’d have a dedicated lane where .08 is mandatory.
12/29, 10:47 PM
posted by:
atoms
oh the good old drunk lane, right beside the HOV lane
12/29, 10:57 PM
posted by:
LS7
Hmmm I wonder if they are sticking with 5.0L V10…. or going with Turbo 5.0L V8. And I also wonder if the horsepower they are aiming for is still only 500. If they want to keep pace with the ZR-1, they probably will need 600. Considering the fact that 911 GT2 has 500+ already. This car is supposed to be mostly made of carbon fibre, but I don’t see it being much lighter than the ZR-1 that has 600+HP.
12/29, 11:15 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
You’re close atoms, except the drunk lane might actually be occupied by those who participate according to the rules.
12/30, 12:23 AM
posted by:
Kaizen
You are fools if you thought the program was shut down. It was never shut down. It was never pushed back. Much like you are fools if you think the Acura NSX will never see the light of day. These companies are cash rich and credit worthy. And they are too far into development.
As far as the construction of the car, supposedly this car is targeted to weigh only 2500 lbs. That’d be crazy. I’ve seen the prototypes being packaged to go back to Japan…they’re very small and low to the ground.
The main issue for Lexus will be how they are going to service and build the cars. They’ll probably hire a vendor to personally service the car independent of a Lexus dealer. More than likely, you are going to have to put down a large non-refundable deposit ($20K anyone) and they will build the car for you. Then it will be hand built and shipped via plane.
I just cant wait to see that V10 dropped into a GS. If the LF-A is coming out, the GS F HAS to come out to spread the cost of engine development. If not, the V10 could just be based on the architecture of the 1UR V8 in the 600h/IS F. I could also see two engine choices…the base grade V8 5.0 or the F-badged V10 but the production schedules I’ve seen don’t indicate a choice. This should be the first Toyota product (minus the last gen MR2 spyder) the have a 6 speed DSG type box.
12/30, 12:51 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Good, Lexus should build this for a pride move to show they can at least be a little geared towards the enthusiast, so far they have yet to prove it, sans the IS-F, but one spruced up model doesn’t count for much when their competition has had entire model lines for generations of vehicles (AMG/M Division/S Line/ even the V-Series and A Spec).
JonnyC – Great idea! I wouldn’t even need my fake extra person blow-up doll for the .08 lane. OK maybe I would.
12/30, 11:18 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Kaizen – And you are a fool if you believe the car will weigh 2,500 lbs. No F’ in way.
My prediction is it will weigh at LEAST 3,300 lbs.
There will be no V-10 GS-F either. You’re dreaming. A V-10 won’t fit under the GS’s hood – no way, no how. You’re also dreaming about a DSG transmission – not gonna happen. Toyota has a love affair with automatic slushboxes – they’ve proven that. Typical for a company that has turned the automobile into an appliance.
12/30, 11:21 AM
posted by:
shaver
Johnny: I think I found you a lady.
Their was a news story last night, local news in Central Oregon. Lady in Redmond, OR blew a .469 one of the highest ever recorded in US. Follow link.
http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=9591962
12/30, 11:46 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…ooh baby!
12/30, 11:52 AM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
It’s a Lexus,!!!!!!…. Not A Toyota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……….
12/30, 11:54 AM
posted by:
drchiem
Yes!!!! I can’t wait to see it in person. This is why Japanese automaker are successful in these day because they have pride in their job. I also can’t wait to see the LF-A to leave dirt on GT-R.
12/30, 4:02 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
L—s’ first real dedicated model?
12/30, 7:26 PM
posted by:
A4
oooooh does this appliance just dry your clothes twice as fast as their other models?
12/30, 9:35 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
Z06: I never said I believed they would hit 2500 lbs; it was the weight that they targeted. More than likely it will be closer to 2800 lbs like the F430 Scuderia. Definitely under 3000 though. About the GS F, a 4.6 liter V8 fits in the current GS. There is no reason why a 5.0 liter V10 couldn’t fit in a new generation, new platform GS. And be prepared to eat your words about the DSG box.