Automotive
For numerous enthusiasts, the unique Lexus LFA sits in that rare hall of fame territory. It was expensive, exotic, and inbuilt tiny numbers, but what really cemented its legend was that screaming V10 and a personality that felt totally different from anything Toyota or Lexus had done before. Production led to 2012 after only 500 cars, and ever since then fans have been asking the identical query. When is Lexus bringing the LFA back
Now now we have a solution, type of. That is the brand new Lexus LFA Concept, the primary time the badge has resurfaced in greater than a decade. It shouldn’t be a production automobile yet, and in some ways it couldn’t be more different from its spiritual predecessor. There isn’t any high revving V10 under a sculpted hood, no Yamaha tuned exhaust note waiting to chase the redline. As a substitute, the brand new LFA Concept is fully electric, powered by batteries and motors that Lexus shouldn’t be able to speak about intimately just yet. No horsepower figures, no range estimates, no battery size. Concept really is the operative word here.
Lexus is attempting to frame the LFA name as something greater than simply a particular engine layout. The corporate says LFA now stands for a automobile that carries forward key engineering philosophies to the following generation, no matter whether it burns fuel or electrons. One in every of those philosophies is a serious concentrate on structure. The brand new LFA Concept rides on a light-weight, high rigidity aluminum chassis that made its debut alongside the Toyota GR GT and its GT3 race automobile sibling. That shared foundation is interesting, because while the Lexus version goes all in on electric power, the Toyota side of the family pairs the identical chassis with a twin turbo V8 hybrid.
Visually, the LFA Concept will look familiar should you saw the sooner Lexus Sport Concept that appeared in Monterey. The proportions are nearly similar, with only small refinements that make this one feel closer to a production ready shape. Long hood, cab pushed rearward, powerful haunches, and lots of sharp surfacing give it a contemporary supercar stance. It shouldn’t be a small automobile either. At 185.6 inches long and 80.3 inches wide, the brand new LFA is about 10 inches longer and greater than six inches wider than the unique. On paper, it’s closer in footprint to current front engine GT heavy hitters than to the compact, jewel like coupe we remember from the early 2010s.
Inside, Lexus leans hard right into a cockpit feel. The cabin wraps aggressively around the driving force, with strong lines and sculpted surfaces that create a way of being situated at the middle of the automobile. Instead of the old automobile’s distinctive digital rev counter is a way more screen heavy approach. A cluster of displays sits directly in front of the driving force, and there is no such thing as a traditional central infotainment screen perched on the dash. It’s a cleaner, more focused layout that seems intent on keeping the driving force’s eyes up and forward, at the same time as it embraces a tech heavy future.
In fact, with so many key details still under wraps, there are many open questions. How much power will Lexus aim for to honor the LFA name Why has the brand chosen to steer with a full battery electric version as a substitute of a wild naturally aspirated or hybrid halo automobile Will any of the sound and emotional drama that made the primary LFA so special be recreated in an EV era, or will Lexus go for a quieter, more surgical sort of speed Those answers can have to attend until a production model appears, and Lexus has not given a firm timeline yet.
What we do know is that the LFA story shouldn’t be over. The badge is back, the form looks almost ready for prime time, and the engineering bones are shared with a really serious Toyota performance project. For purists, the shortage of a V10 will at all times sting a bit, but for everybody interested in where Japanese supercars go next, this idea looks like a vital chapter. Batteries and all, the Lexus LFA is once more a part of the conversation.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive skilled with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in each business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and fervour for the business side of the automobile world.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
