The Lexus LFA at Nürburgring: One Owner’s Experience


The following article (and photos) has been submitted by a lucky LFA owner who participated in a recent LFA owners event at the Nürburgring in Germany — the same event where Akira Iida ran his record-setting laptime of the Nordschleife.


In summary – bucket list item … checked!

Yup, it was that good.

When we arrived at the Frankfurt airport, Lexus had representatives waiting in a Lexus RX Hybrid to take us to the posh Linder Hotel (where all the drivers and fans of the 24hr races generally stay). There was a nice greeting in the room welcoming us to the historic Nürburgring and an outline of the events to follow. Before dinner, we had cocktails and beers and met other LFA owners (some of which we knew before) so it was great to visit and reconnect. Dinner then was served at the hotel restaurant – lavish spread, great meal. Of course, all sponsored by Lexus.

Lexus LFAs at Nürburgring

Next day (closest to the best day of my life) – we found ourselves on the Nordschleife. Yup, the Green Hell. When we got to the track (via Lexus RXs), there sat 6 beautiful LFAs – all being prepped for a day on the track. There were actually a total of 7 but the 7th was doing photo shoot duty / backup in case of mishaps. There were two Nürburgring editions there among the cars.

In the courtesy tent, they had set up snacks, refreshments, and of course, hoards and hoards of Lexus reps at our service. They waited on us like we were royalty. Each of us were given the opportunity to put on a racing suit and helmet – then it’s off on the track.

The Lexus team had devised a great timeline so all guests would be able to DRIVE an LFA for a total of four laps on the Nordschleife while being the ONLY CAR on the track. Lexus rented the entire track for us (BTW, that’s 40,000 Euros to rent the north loop for a day).

Every time out, we had an IS-F lead car showing us the proper line to take. Any race track is dangerous, but the Nordschleife is difficult even for professionals, so having a lead car is a must for novices. It also allowed us to experience what the car can really do instead of worry about what is coming around the corner. You brake when the lead car brakes, you stay to the left when it goes to the left, and so on and so forth.

It could be just self preservation since I didn’t know the course (I had one hot lap there before), but the first time out I was a bit timid. My time (recorded via in-car camera with telemetries) was around 9:00 (way short of what a pro can do in the LFA on this course). After that, we stop – take a break and the pro driving the lead car gives me some pointers (follow closer). He was inviting me to follow closer so we can all go faster!

Meanwhile, Lexus has invited Mr. Tanahashi (the chief engineer behind the LFA) to talk to us via an interpreter. His love for the car is apparent. Meeting him was another highlight in my automotive life. Lexus had a fully functional cut-away LFA there so Mr. Tanahashi can show us the guts of the car (and to field questions).

Lexus LFA Naked

After a short break, it was the double lapper. This time, I was right on the lead car, but every time I would catch him, he pulled away. Mind you – the pro is in an IS-F – not an LFA, which proves that skill trumps power every time.

I saw my lap times get better and better. On the back straight, I was hitting 265km/h and probably could have gone faster but it was very windy and the lead car did have a max speed. Even as a novice, the LFA was just sublime. It took all the mistakes I made and shrugged them off. Even with some minor drifting on tight corners, it was never out of composure. The car made me a MUCH better driver than I am. Never did it lose control. The grip was phenomenal. The sound was just heavenly. I was living my dream. I was going like a bat-out-of-hell in a super car on the famous Nordschleife!

As if that was not enough – then Lexus planned for one lap with me piloting the Nurburgring edition around the track. Same format – lead/follow. This time, it was different. I was confident. The car was made for this track. I personally think my best lap was in the Nurburgring edition (unfortunately, this was the only car not equipped with camera and telemetries). It was definitely the most awe-inspiring lap. Wow, wow, wow. The LFA is amazing, and in my mind, perfection. The Nurburgring edition just pushed it over the top when I didn’t think it was possible.

Then, the icing on the cake – Lexus has arranged to take each of us on a hot lap in the Nurburgring edition (not just a “normal” one either, but one with a roll-cage and fully modified for the track). I was very lucky to have Mr. Iida as my pro driver (the driver who broke the production car Nürburgring record). Even carrying me around, he managed a 7:20! So I assure you there was no holding back. It was a ride of a lifetime for me.

So let’s recap, I have now driven the Nordschleife in an LFA. I’ve taken a hot-lap with a record breaking pro on the same track. What more could I ask for?

Lexus doesn’t like to leave well enough alone! There was a formal presentation & gala organized that evening where they announced the historic news of the record breaking lap (taken just hours before dinner by Mr. Iida). So more reasons to celebrate! After our bellies are full of food and drinks, we retire to our room only to find a framed picture of the LFA signed by Mr. Tanahashi himself. What a treasure!

And the next morning – you would think that’s it – wrong! Since the LFA has a dual personality – Lexus wanted us to experience it. They put each of us in an LFA and set us off by ourselves to tour a predefined route around Germany’s little towns (and famous Autobahn). I was lucky – I was paired with the Nurburgring edition again. The day-to-day drivability of the car was apparent. It was comfortable with all the modern amenities you would expect from a Lexus. The drive was around an hour & a half and I never felt fatigued (try that in a Lambo!) And yes, when I got to the Autobahn section, I hit 300 km/h (probably more if it was not for that VW – you know who you are …. ).

So what does all of this mean? It means that Lexus has once again redefined what customer satisfaction / appreciation is and should be. We had already purchased the car. There was no need to woo us. Yet Lexus spent an obscene amount of money to make the experience of owning an LFA even better. And to all of you out there who thought this was a sales event – it was not. It was all about customer appreciation.

My wife and I do not even have our LFA yet (it’s a secondary color), so technically Lexus did not have to invite us. This was above and beyond what I expected. Most of the time, you buy a Ferrari or a Lambo – you’re just a name on the list, no one really cares. They may arrange for a factory tour or give you some personalized gifts, but to invite you for a once-in-a-lifetime event? Never in my wildest dreams.

In summary, I was able to check a bucket list item off – thanks to Lexus. I’ve always been a loyal customer / fan. There is no doubt in mind that I am now a lifetime customer. If you have never owned a Lexus, I strongly urge you to at least go and take a look. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is no denying Lexus is a classy operation. I love my wife more than life itself. I would never want any harm to come her way. I can rest easy knowing that her Lexus keeps her safe. And no, I don’t work for Lexus nor is Lexus paying me to say any of this.

Sincerely,
A Proud Lexus Owner

EuropeEventsLexus LFAOfficial EventsRacing
Comments
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LFA in naked is damn nice on looks !
    • Anonymous
    • September 23, 2011
    So hot!
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    Indeed !
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    Lfa047
  • September 23, 2011
Great work as usual, krew!
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    05RollaXRS
  • September 23, 2011
Awesome write up by an LFA owner!
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    05RollaXRS
  • September 23, 2011
Awesome write up by an LFA owner!
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    BlackDynamiteMB
  • September 23, 2011
It's all about respect! BD
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    05RollaXRS
  • September 23, 2011
Imagine on the AutoBahn, you see two lights coming up from behind in a fast lane and before you know, the Lexus LFA blasts past you with that V10 F1 scream at 300 km/h. I think I probably envy the people on the AutoBahn that witnessed him pass them at 300 km/h more than him driving the LFA at 300 km/h
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    Before it came , bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbaaa ... After it passed , bbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ... This is what happens when a LFA is overtaken a slow ... erm , Toyota Corolla ? on Autobahn .
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    Mkize Ayanda
  • September 23, 2011
Now That is the best write up ever from a future LFA owner,This is what i am talking about!!
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    MrShibby
  • September 23, 2011
very well written! must have been an awesome experience!
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Great report of what must have been a fantastic event! But as a sidenote, the Lindner hotel is not really "where all the drivers and fans of the 24hr races generally stay"... ;-) Enjoy your car.
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    Jruhi4
  • September 23, 2011
Great write-up. Driving the Nürburgring and the autobahn are definitely on my bucket list as well. Realistically, not likely in an LFA... Still, I hope that the last sentence of the 7th paragraph, "You break when the lead car breaks..." was a typo and not a Freudian slip or a sign of unreliable Lexus LFAs breaking down...
    K
    • K
    • September 23, 2011
    Just a typo, now fixed. :-)
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The Toyota Motor Corporation's dedication to making customers feel appreciated is second to none,and not just when it comes those with enough moolah to buy an LFA,every customer matters and is made to feel important. I can never give enough praise to the wonderful people who make being a Toyota/Scion/Lexus owner such a treat. 
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    Coryn_hughes
  • September 23, 2011
Awesome write up and would have to agree doing laps in the NE LFA at the mighty Nurburgring is definitely on the todo list for sure.I'd love to see a NE LFA in Matte Black or Jet Black with the wet carbon canards diffuser's and rear wing and callipers all in BLACK I lik that Stealth Bomber look,that I'm coming to get you on the road and track. Also doing a 7.30 lap with Akira Iida round the Ring would be a real eye opener also I saw a lap with the CAR magazine writer who test cars for a living and he was just blown away by Iida's skills round the Ring,apparently he got out of the car just gobsmacked about how good Iida was.   
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    BlackDynamiteMB
  • September 23, 2011
Great write up on InsideLine.com about the NE LFA, the record-breaking time, and the actually experience of driving one on The Ring. You can also see me schoolin' these little childrens, who fanboi their Vipers and Vettes, like they're in the same league.  HA! BD
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      Coryn_hughes
    • September 23, 2011
    You and me both Bro Suprastar2 I got heaps of Vette fans angry on youtube funny as.
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      Thejetengine
    • September 23, 2011
    im russianfighter.. i see you guy all the time lololol
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      Coryn_hughes
    • September 24, 2011
    I like talking about the Technology and materials used and developed by Toyota with regards to this car I just think if alot of the car community realised what Toyota invested in the LFA as a platform going foward for the rest of there cars I think more credit would be given. I love the Vette fans and there Dinosaur tech. I see there latest gadget they have come up with for the Vette is a 7 spd manual I sit there and ask myself WHY???? Much like th 8 spd Auto in th IS-F I don't get that either..
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      05RollaXRS
    • September 26, 2011
    BlackDynamite, I have read your super intelligent comments and it is great to see LFA enthusiasts schooling the haters who make dumb and nonsensical excuses to hate on the LFA. I also wrote an email to Lexus USA to not ever give LFA to MotorTrend in the light of their highly unfair recent assessement of LFA's development philosophy.
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      Coryn_hughes
    • September 27, 2011
    For sure. What gets me is these VETTE Fans think the rollcage is the reason the NE LFA did its 7.14 lap I just laugh.. When all reality its the NE package that is the difference and the 100 kg weight loss also man some of those guys have no idea.
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      05RollaXRS
    • September 28, 2011
    Roll cage adds weight and it makes the car heavier and it was done only to make sure another life is not lost in the wake of Hiromu Naruse's death.
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Any way you slice it, this car is still an awesome testament to technology! 
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    05RollaXRS
  • September 26, 2011
I had recently sent an email to Lexus USA to never reward MotorTrend with another LFA to test. They recently were given the privilege by Lexus to test the LFA (#032) against other cars and their assessement was highly unfair, biased and completely out of line with nearly every other review has said. They admitted their other test driver Justin Bell was masterful with the LFA, but continued to say Randy Pobst does not feel it is a "driver's car", which is ludicrous since LFA is all about driver oriented dynamics. I would pledge other people to send email to Lexus USA as well to never reward MotorTrend with an opportunity to test the LFA since they don't deserve it. We need to make sure MotorTrend never gets another LFA to test. Standard or Nurburgring. Help me guys. We need to get more emails so that Lexus understands that MotorTrend's main goal was to denigrate Lexus' efforts.
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    Trdjoe
  • October 23, 2011
Randy  Pobst,  drives  a  porshe,  As  a   retire  mechanic ,  worked   on   a  lot   of   expensive  autos  Toyota  is  # 1  &   Nissans  great  too...

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