Lexus LFA to hit 220mph
Information about the upcoming Lexus LFA keeps coming—Edmunds is reporting that the Japanese supercar, which will be powered by a 550+hp 4.8L V10, is capable of 220mph (354km/hour):
Channeled through a six-speed Aisin AMT transmission bolted to a transaxle, that 220-mph top speed is 27 mph faster that the production Nissan GT-R and even the legendary Ferrari Enzo, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 and the Pagani Zonda F.
Our scoop squad has also learned that the actual production model looks very different from the prototypes seen at the Nürburgring, “especially around the headlights and grille.”
Sitting on a steel and aluminum chassis with a body employing copious amounts of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, the base model will cost between $220,000 and $250,000, while the top-of-the-line full-spec sports package will clear $300,000.
The high performance version mentioned is said to have a wider body and aero-parts similar to the racing prototype from this year’s Nürburgring race.
More than ever, it looks like Lexus is trying to make a very strong point with the LFA—after all the ups and downs through the supercar’s development, it’s starting to look like the final version will be well worth the effort.
[Source: Edmunds]
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if the real version really is different from the prototypes, it can mean 2 things…
Good: it looks like a killer
Bad: it looks like the first LFA concept, which is likely due to the rearlights of the racing ones…
but 220mph? im in love all over again.
It looks like there still is hope.
Price aside, I’d probably prefer the base model.
Let’s keep on hoping.
Edmunds may have got it spot on,except for the top speed. With 550 bhp I think we can expect around 205 mph or less. Don’t forget its a sport GT (with Lexus levels of kit) & not a bonafide supercar like the Zonda & LP640.
Agreed. I don’t have an engineering degree but the LF-A would have to be realllly slippery and/ or light to hit 220mph with a “mere” 550hp. Lexus is not known for making anything light, but hopefully the extensive use of aluminum and composites will change that.
Its not exactly apples to apples, but as an example the Corvette ZR-1 and Dodge Viper both have 600+hp and their respective top speeds are just over 200mph.
6-speed AISIN transmission? why not the 8-speed AT from the IS-F and LS? Does anybody know more about?
Indeed, 550 bhp is too low to hit 220 mph, unless the weight is well below 1300 kg and the highest gear ratios are very long, which would not be ideal.
Only explanation could be that they increased the displacement of the engine to 5.2-5.5 litres and overall output to about 600 bhp. The Porsche Carrera GT with a 612 bhp 5.7 l. V10 and most likely worse aerodynamics (it is a targa/cabrio) as the LF-A reached a top of 212 mph.
So it is possible the lexus can reach this top speed,but not with the speculated numbers we got now (500-550 bhp, 1350-1450 kg weight)It is also unclear whether or not the transmission will have 6 or 7 gear ratio’s, i guess it will be a 7 speed with a very long 7th gear to reach the top speed. The Viper and Corvette both dont have very good aerodynamics to get to such high speeds, nor the gear spreading.
In all it is a non-issue really, the only way you could possibly reach the 220 mph will be on a looooong runway or speedway anyway…just lets hope the determination of the engineers to get this fast wont kill the front looks, and the already high estimated price.
Also i hope the production will be at about 1000 a year, and not a mere 500. If it has good looks and performance it will sell…simple as that (look at the Alfa Romeo c8 competizione)
Oh and another thing: does the car have a real trunk? the concepts show no signs of it, as the radiators are mounted in the rear the space for a trunk between them would be cramped i guess, but if there is none there is obviously some space wasted. Pics of the concept show some room behind the seats, but that will be hard to reach if you want to put luggage there and it will be visible to thieves. So i wonder if it will be practical enough to go on a trip with 2 for a week or not.
Good reasoning, Tom. The top speed issue is rather academic for the road-going LFA. Of more relevance is the 0-100 mph time which should be under 8 seconds.
The LFA will likely have a 6 or 7-speed automated manual transaxle mounted in the rear axle (for ideal weight distribution) similar to cars like the Ferrari F430. The Lexus 8-speed gearbox is a torque-converter automatic which is heavier, hence not ideal for a sports car.
Interesting point. Even mid-engined supercars have some amount of luggage space, so the practcality issue remains to be seen…..
lets just hope not…
i’ll be waiting
from where you got that photo???
i hope it take LFA roadster front
god please
google images
O’
that’s not good at all
please god not that
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee
that ‘ll be perfect
To save the time of those who use the metric system, that’s 354.05kph. Phoar.
I should have done a conversion—thanks for doing the math.
I’ve updated the post to reflect the metric equivalent.