Lexus Australia hopes to secure 10 examples of the limited production LFA super sports car for local sales.
Shown at the Tokyo Motorshow, the V10-powered, two-seat Lexus will probably attract a price tag north of $650,000 in Australia, but with production of the limited edition 500 vehicles not scheduled to commence until December 2010, many details remain unconfirmed.
What is clear is the credentials of the LFA have immediately stamped it as a competitor for supercars like the Audi R8.
It's an engineering masterpiece with the driver's seat centralized thanks to an ingenious rear transaxle (transmission and differential), vertically stacked torque tube and exhaust pipes (which dramatically reduce the width of the center tunnel). Just like racecars, placement of the driver towards the center creates the best chassis balance and provides higher quality feedback during high speed cornering.
The passenger compartment is made from Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) which is 100 kgs lighter than a comparable alloy cabin. Lexus engineers have developed a unique technology for CFRP-to-metal joining to deliver high strength and rigidity.
To deliver optimum chassis balance, higher weight components like the engine and transmission are placed within the wheelbase. Dry sump lubrication is used with peripheral components like the oil and water pumps located behind the engine.
Power comes from a superb 4.8-litre V10 engine which is dimensionally very small (smaller than a conventional V8) and uses aluminium, magnesium and titanium in its construction to keep weight down. With a redline of 9,000 rpm; the LFA delivers 90 per cent of its peak torque from 3,700rpm.
Maximum power is 412kW at 8,700 rpm and peak torque is 480Nm.
Drive is to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential automatic transmission.
Brakes are carbon ceramic.
On the outside, the LFA features a flat underbody, rear diffuser and speed-controlled rear wing.
The world has come to expect remarkable vehicles from Lexus so it's no surprise the company's first sports car is nothing short of stunning.
