Lexus LFA Roadster Rendering
Dutch website Autogespot has put together a photochop of a production Lexus LFA Roadster, merging elements of the final production car and the 2008 LFA roadster concept:
How far of a stretch would it be to expect an LFA Roadster to follow the LFA coupe? It would certainly help to recoup the V10 engine development cost, but there’s also the expense of developing a production roadster—along with usual price increase that goes along with having no roof.
Still, if Lexus has buyers for all 500 LFA coupes plus a waiting list, finding 500 buyers for a Roadster version may not be a stretch at all.
[Source: Autogespot (Thanks Safeer!)]
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I’m amazed at how good that looks. Most the time photochops don’t impress me, but this looks like the real thing. I could see Lexus considering this as an option, especially since so many people were interested in the regular LFA.
The LFA “seems” to have the unique rigidity of a Pagani Zonda and Koenigsegg CCX, making it virtually unnecessary to provide further rigidity in the car’s frame; however, my guess is proven wrong by that video of the unique A-pillar weaving machine and the fact that the LFA Roadster was canned.
Still, after shying away from the LFA, I think I might reconsider after seeing the pictures above. Seeing what that it’s nearly impossible to see anymore fun, naturally-aspirated exotics in the future, I might have to brave up and put my money into the LFA Roadster if it were to be made.
There’s a video on YouTube that has a recording of the LFA’s sound by Yamaha. In the video, it shows how there were intended tunneling to let the sound of the engine enter into the cockpit. With the roof down, oh boy oh boy!!! The sound of exhausts and the engine in harmony. droool…
@WorldofLuxury: I didn’t even think about how loud the engine would be with the top down. You wouldn’t be able to hear yourself think at high speeds.
But yeah, I would prefer the roadster to the coupe. The only problem is, loose the top, loose some performance. It wouldn’t be as simple as just taking the top off, the whole car would have to be modified to cope with the weight change.
Gorgeous. But they have to leave something for the next gen SC, right?
@Dan: Not really. The SC will probably top out at around $80k and performance should be on par with the Mercedes SL and BMW 6-series. The LFA Roadster would be at least $375k with performance equal to the comparable Lamborghini and Ferarri models. I don’t think there is any way for them to overlap. I wouldn’t mind seeing an SC that’s basically a down-scaled LFA. it would even be ok if they look similar, look at the Mercedes SL and the SLR. They look very similar but the SLR is alot faster and costs 5 times as much.
I would love a roadster LFA if lexus offered it ( o and that little thing of cost too, if I could afford it)
@James: Yeah you make a good case, the price points are so far apart. However, I do think an SC-F, if they ever make one, can breach the six figures.
Even if the SC F is around $120k-$130k, that’s still a fraction of the cost paid for an LFA. Besides, Merc has the SL63, which is 6 figures yet it still has it’s own place in their line-up and doesn’t interfere with the SLR or even the SL65.
SC - $80k
SC F - $130k
LFA - $400k
There’s such a big price difference that it should matter. The SC F could go up to $200k and and would still half as much as the LFA.
The SC F could even apeal to people who weren’t able to get an LFA.
@James: Yes indeed, I agree with your analysis. On the styling front, lately some auto sites were comparing the FT-86 concept and the LFA, both coming out favorably despite being on the sheer opposite ends of the spectrum—-affordable sports coupe vs. money-no-object exotic supercar. I’d love to see a third gen SC which has more stylistic flair, becomes a worthy successor to the first gen while having the added luxury of the second gen.
An LFA roadster is almost certain considering there is surplus demand for the coupe. But Lexus will likely launch it towards the end of coupe production. But will it have a power soft top or a manual umbrella like the Veyron roadster?
@LEXUSBOY: I feel like it’s the least random thing to reply to you than others… so…:
I feel like Sony VAIO computers are “very Lexus.” They have great quality and fit-and-finish, and their customer service is superb. The newest version of the Sony VAIO Z-series shown at the 2010 CES is even more reminiscent of the LFA than ever. The shell is carbon fiber; the keyboard is now milled from a single-piece of aluminum (like the LFA pedals); the buttons are made of high-quality, soft-touch plastic; the screen is LED (more like Lexus hybrids - no OLED because of price and limited lifespan); the keyboards are now backlit (very Lexus like); its screen is now physically 1080p (compare that to the awesome LFA gauge); it has a new cooling system; and it’s compact and light, yet it has all the bells and whistles.
Whoops… just realized how much it sounded like I was advertising for Sony. Anyways, I hope you guys understand my analogy. Lexus has to maintain the status of Sony. Sony was in a fiscal year awhile ago, so they had to get rid of all their cool stuffs, such as their AIBO robot dogs. Then, they ignored plasma TVs and went straight on to developing the best LCDs… then LED-backlit LCD and OLED, regaining their title as the best in the TV business. They made their computers as best as possible, better and prettier than Macs but not as expensive. And whenever you guys have a problem, just ring in Sony customer service by Instant Messaging or Telephone, and Sony will provide you with the best service. If you still have a warranty, just mail them your computer without shipping fees. (Doesn’t that remind you guys of the service Lexus provided with their first LS encountered some problems in the states? and when their IS vehicles had badly-installed seatbelts?)
Sony : Mac :: Lexus : Mercedes-Benz… perhaps a little bit of Maybach
@WorldofLuxury:
Interesting analogy, didn’t know you were a gadget geek/freak 
. My parents still have the 21” Sony they bought some 20 years ago, why? cause it still works with absolutely no problems ! It’s the same with Lexus models of similar vintage. But of course nowadays nobody would keep any appliance/car for so long, that’s either cheap or old fashioned (in the case of my parents,the latter 
)