Lexus has finally taken the wraps of its new exclusive supercar. “The LFA is a thoroughbred supercar, a machine engineered to achieve a single goal – to deliver a supreme driving experience,” said Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi. “Over the past decade we have pushed every boundary in pursuit of this goal and I believe we have created the most driver-orientated car we possibly could.”

“The LFA’s sporty styling is distinguished by coherent lines that flow from roof to sill in a seamless convex-to-concave line for sophisticated aerodynamics,” the company said. “Its front-mid engine layout, long wheelbase, short overhangs and snug, low-slung cabin identify it as a supercar.”

The driver’s seat is positioned near the LFA’s center of gravity. The centralized seating concept (with the seat between the front and rear axles and closer to the left–right center) is made possible by the use of a rear transaxle and vertically stacked torque tube and exhaust pipes reducing the width of the center tunnel. The driver placement is aimed to provide maximum car-to-driver feedback, especially under sport or high G-force driving conditions.

The Lexus LFA will be powered by a bespoke, high-revving 552bhp 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine, matched to a rear-mounted six-speed sequential automatic transmission. Maximum power is an assuring 412kW (560hp) made at a screaming 8,700rpm while summit torque is 480Nm at 6,800rpm. Ninety percent of torque is presented between 3,700rpm and 9,000rpm and it will achieve 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and be capable of a top speed of 202mph.

Lexus has replaced the conventional single throttle body with independent electronically controlled throttle bodies that dramatically enhance intake efficiency by creating a minimal body of air between each throttle body and its respective combustion chamber. This effectively halves engine response time, with the response of the LFA so fast that when the accelerator is released, the revs drop too quickly for a traditional analog tachometer needle to keep up. Therefore, Lexus has used a full-color TFT LCD panel graphical tachometer that features a rev peak-hold function, lap timer and a variable redline display.

Lexus has sought to refine every aspect of the LFA – right down to the sound of the engine, which it likens to a precisely tuned musical instrument. In fact, the resonant frequency of the surge tank has even been tuned to a richer intake harmony to give the LFA its signature note. Unfortunately only a privileged few will get to enjoy such a symphony in person – Lexus will only be producing 500 of the cars and each will attract an asking price of US$375,000. As expensive as that sounds, apparently Lexus expects to make a loss on each one.

Toyota’s luxury division will begin production of the 552-horsepower LFA two-seat coupe in Japan in December 2010, and just 500 of them will be made, the company said.

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