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Lexus LFA

Upton, Matt. “10 Incredible Lexus LFA Images You’ve (Probably) Never Seen - Lexus UK
Magazine.” Lexus UK Magazine, December 7, 2020. https://mag.lexus.co.uk/10-incredible-lexus-lfa-images-
youve-probably-never-seen/.

The Lexus LFA is a car made by the Japanese manufacturer Lexus, the luxury
division of Toyota. This is a two-seat sports car that was produced in only 500 exemplars.
Toyota determined in the 1980s that they wanted to broaden their appeal and appeal to
a broader range of buyers. They accomplished it by launching a new premium brand, like
what Honda did with Acura a few years before. Toyota's major target market for their new
luxury brand attack, like Acura's, was North America. Toyota created the Lexus brand in
1990 with the initial LS, following extensive testing and research. The LS was a smashing
success, luring many luxury automobile purchasers away from the Germans.
Lexus and Toyota declared in the early 2000s that they will produce a Lexus-badged supercar
to compete with the Italians. The LFA, which had been previewed by a few concept vehicles
during the decade, went on sale in 2010. It is still regarded as one of the world's greatest and
most venerable supercars. Even if they've been discussed previously, there are so many
interesting facts about the automobile that demonstrated to the world that Lexus didn't always
have to be practical and luxury.1
The concept of a true sports car that head engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi had in mind when he
asked for a research on its viability was far different from the exquisite LFA that finally
entered production. After all, Lexus wasn't a producer of rare, low-production supercars, but
rather a brand leader in high-quality passenger vehicles.
Tanahashi noted in his journal that the first product meeting on June 26, 2000,
suggested a V6 open-top sports vehicle, four months after the study was given the go-ahead.
The testing center in Shibetsu was going to host a competitive assessment drive the next
month. What transpired during the test drive started a chain of events that ultimately led to
the creation of the LFA.2
A decision was taken to replace the monocoque chassis' construction from aluminum
to carbon fiber halfway through the development of this supercar. Although it returned parent
corporation Toyota to its roots in textile weaving, this choice was not motivated by shady
marketing strategies but rather by real engineering and performance benefits.

1
Sokolovski, “8 Cool Facts About The Lexus LFA.”
2
“Designing the Dream | Lexus LFA.”

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Despite being much lighter than aluminum, carbon fiber is quite stiff. However, the industry
does not yet have the technology to weave the material into intricate, millimeter-perfect
designs. Thus, Lexus developed an original and clever circular loom that made it possible to
directly weave each strand of carbon fiber into distinct components.
The Lexus LFA features an extremely high amount of lightweight components, such
as aluminum, titanium, and magnesium, but a specifically formulated carbon fiber-reinforced
polymer makes up 65% of its body mass (CFRP).3
The size of this car was quite a good size for a supercar. It has a length of 4.5 meters
and a width of 1.8 meters making this car agile. Also, the low weight of 1480 kilograms made
this car achieve great performance.
The low-slung LFA coupe, which is sleek, sporty, and powerful, oozes supercar elegance
from every curve and angle. Despite its ground-breaking design, the LFA adheres to the three
essential elements of the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy, making it easy to recognize as a
Lexus.4
The LFA's unified lines run from the roof to the sill in a smooth convex to concave
line, which is dictated by its front-mid engine configuration, long wheelbase and small
overhangs, clever aerodynamics, and tight, low-slung interior. 5
Carbon fiber reinforced plastic, which has a low weight and high strength, also
provided the LFA's designers a greater degree of creative flexibility by enabling them to
make forms, curves, and edges that would have been impractical with metal. In keeping with
the L-finesse philosophy of simple design and the mechanical purity that lies under its
composite covering, the LFA's minimalist appearance is likewise devoid of any fripperies.
Examples of form following function in the L-finesse idiom include the various air
intakes and aerodynamic elements that serve a practical purpose first and an aesthetic one
second on the vehicle. In addition to offering excellent visibility, the wing mirrors are built to
direct cool air into the rear air intakes over the shoulders of the vehicle. An exhaust baffle
with three stacked exhaust ports is present on the back of the LFA. This stainless-steel baffle
contrasts the polished exhaust rims with its heat-resistant black coating. To further emphasize
its technological appearance, it has a barely discernible gap between the exhaust pipe and the
baffle.6
There are three distinct areas in the cabin. The first is the mechanical zone, which
serves as the LFA's performance-enhancing backbone. 7
The human zone comes next, with chairs that can support people even during
extremely arduous driving. The instrumentation interface that connects the driver and the
machine is the driving zone, which comes last. 8
The leather-wrapped seats in the LFA include an eight-way electric adjustment
system, a split rear backrest, prominent side bolsters, and orthopedic design to provide high
levels of comfort and support. The instrument panel with the hood takes center stage. Despite

3
Clifford, “Lexus and the Carbon Fibre Wonder-Weave - Lexus UK Magazine.”
4
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
5
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
6
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
7
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
8
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”

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its small size, its technology enables it to provide the driver with a lot of information in a
rational and understandable way. 9
A motor-driven moving ring, a color thin film transistor, and a liquid crystal display
panel are all combined in this device.
The 10,000-rpm central tachometer has a quick-responding Lcd needle. 10
This was highly advanced for the time, making it one of the first super cars to have a digital
dial system.
Towards the end of the LFA's production run, a select few vehicles were given the
extremely exclusive Nürburgring package. The LFA Nürburgring Edition was designed to
pay homage to the Lexus vehicles that competed in endurance races at the circuit that bears
its name. The V10 was given an additional 10 horsepower, for a total of 563. A new set of
BBS alloy wheels, an aggressive front splitter with two canards on either side, and a sizable,
fixed carbon fiber wing were all present on the exterior. This LFA lapped the track in 7:22.85
seconds, ranking it as the tenth fastest production vehicle at the time.11
The 4.8-liter V-10 was created in collaboration with Yamaha. It is a little engine that
can reach an exhilarating 9000 rpm and produces 553 horsepower at 8700 rpm. 90 percent of
the 354 pound-feet of maximum torque is available between 3700 and 9000 RPM, peaking at
6800 rpm. 12
A Torsen limited-slip differential is included inside the six-speed automatic manual
transaxle, which is positioned in the back. The front suspension is made up of control arms,
and the back suspension is made up of many links. The suspension components and the
remote reservoir monotube KYB dampers are made of aluminum to reduce weight.13
It's not simply a coincidence that the engine noise resembles that of an F1 vehicle. Yamaha
collaborated with their music section to produce an unheard-of cacophony in a production
vehicle. The air is transported by two ducts into the intake manifold, where it encounters
specifically designed forms. The two distinct octaves produced by these designs (one for each
intake duct) subsequently enhance the audio experience and provide the distinctive engine
tone.14
Only 500 Lexus LFA vehicles were ever made, and each one was meticulously put
together by trained craftsmen at a rate of just 20 each month.15

9
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
10
“Lexus LFA - Car Body Design.”
11
Sokolovski, “8 Cool Facts About The Lexus LFA.”
12
Gillies, “2012 Lexus LFA First Drive.”
13
Gillies, “2012 Lexus LFA First Drive.”
14
Satara, “10 Fun Facts About The Lexus LFA.”
15
Clifford, “Introducing the Lexus LFA - Lexus UK Magazine.”

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Bibliography

Clifford, Joe. “Introducing the Lexus LFA - Lexus UK Magazine.” Lexus UK Magazine, July
16, 2018. https://mag.lexus.co.uk/introducing-the-lexus-lfa/.

Gillies, Mark. “2012 Lexus LFA First Drive.” Car and Driver, October 20, 2009.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a16580655/2012-lexus-lfa-review/.

Lexus LFA - Car Body Design. “Lexus LFA - Car Body Design,” October 22, 2009.
https://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2009/10/lexus-lfa/.

Clifford, Joe. “Lexus and the Carbon Fibre Wonder-Weave - Lexus UK Magazine.” Lexus
UK Magazine, August 20, 2014. https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-and-the-carbon-fibre-wonder-
weave/.

Sokolovski, Marko. “8 Cool Facts About The Lexus LFA.” 8 Cool Facts About The Lexus
LFA, October 24, 2021. https://www.hotcars.com/cool-facts-about-the-lexus-lfa/

Designing the Dream | Lexus LFA. “Designing the Dream | Lexus LFA.” January 28, 2023.
https://www.lexus-lfa.com/design/.

Satara, Safet. “10 Fun Facts About The Lexus LFA.” 10 Fun Facts About The Lexus LFA,
September 12, 2022. https://www.topspeed.com/cars/guides/10-fun-facts-about-the-lexus-
lfa/.