Lexus LFA '10

The Lexus LFA is a two-seat exotic sports coupe produced by Lexus as a concept car, racing prototype, and production vehicle. It is the second model in the Lexus F line of performance vehicles from Lexus, following the IS F. Three concept versions have been shown, each debuting at the North American International Auto Show with the LF-A designation as part of the Lexus LF Series concept line. The first LF-A concept premiered in 2005, followed in 2007 by a second LF-A with a more completely furnished interior and exterior. The third version of the LF-A, a roadster model, premiered in 2008. The production model, trademarked LFA, was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009.

The production Lexus LFA features a new V10 engine and a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body. The use of CFRP materials, which account for 65 percent of the LFA's body composition, is to reduce overall weight for improved performance. The LFA went into production in late 2010, with a projected run of 500 hand-built vehicles at an estimated base price of $US375,000. A circuit-tuned variant is scheduled for 2012.

Engine
The LFA is powered by a 72° 4.8-liter V10 engine equipped with Dual VVT-i carrying the 1LR-GUE designation with a maximum output of 552 bhp delivered at 8700 rpm. Its maximum torque output of 354 lb-ft arrives at 6800 rpm, 90 percent of which is available from 3700 rpm. The engine, like the Ferrari 458 Italia, redlines at 9000 rpm and is constructed using forged aluminum pistons, titanium connecting rods, titanium valves and uses dry sump lubrication as well. Air is fed directly from beneath the hood through a large rectangular opening using a dual stage variable intake manifold into 10 individual throttle bodies and exits through a titanium muffler. Toyota attempted to design the engine to sound like that of a Formula One car with rapid revs and claims an analog tachometer needle would be unable to accurately track the LFA's rapid changes in engine speeds, necessitating the use of digital tach which can instantly display rpms.

The powerplant gives the LFA a power to weight ratio of 5.9 hp/lb and enables it to reach a top speed of around 202 mph. Like the IS F Yamaha co-developed the engine cylinder heads. The engine complies with Euro V emissions. On the LF-A, the V10 is installed with a front mid-engine placement.

According to Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi a front engine layout was selected instead of a mid engine layout as it is inherently more forgiving dynamically affording less experienced drivers with a wider safety net. To maintain a near ideal weight distribution, a rear transaxle is used, in addition to the mounting of the fuel tank ahead of the rear axle and the radiators at the rear. The engine is connected to the transaxle via a rigid torque tube which the exhaust system runs directly below. This arrangement is designed to lower the vehicle's center of gravity compared to conventional designs.


 * Engine Type: 1LR-GUE
 * Cylinders/arrangement: V10
 * Valve mechanism: 40-valve DOHC
 * Displacement: 4,805 cc
 * Bore x Stroke: 88.0 x 79.0 mm
 * Compression ratio: 12.0:1
 * Fuel Injection Type: EFI
 * Octane Rating : 95 or higher
 * Max. Power: 552 bhp @ 8,700 rpm
 * Max Torque: 480 Nm @ 6,800 rpm
 * Max. engine speed: 9,000 rpm
 * Exhaust emissions certification: Euro 5

Transmission
The gearbox itself is a six-speed electrohydraulic transmission operated with paddle-shifters. The driver can select from four settings, auto, normal, sport and wet. Toyota quotes the sport mode's gear change times as ~200 ms. According to Tanahashi a twin-clutch transmission was tested but gear changes were found overly smooth, resembling that of a traditional automatic with its shock absorbing torque converter and the design team preferred the feel of more abrupt and courser shifts, however the auto mode and low speed performance suffers as a result. A Torsen limited slip differential is also applied on the LFA. The Lexus LFA transmission gear ratios are as follows:


 * Gearbox type: 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox
 * Front counter gear ratio: 1.259
 * Gear ratios
 * 1st: 3.231
 * 2nd: 2.188
 * 3rd: 1.609
 * 4th: 1.233
 * 5th: 0.970
 * 6th: 0.795
 * Final drive ratio: 3.417
 * Maximum permissible speed
 * 1st: 52 mph
 * 2nd: 76 mph
 * 3rd: 104 mph
 * 4th: 136 mph
 * 5th: 172 mph
 * 6th: -

Performance

 * 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 3.7 s
 * Top speed of 201.94 mph (325 km/h)
 * Power-to-weight ratio of 5.8 pounds/hp
 * 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution

Brakes

 * Front: Cross-drilled ventilated discs, 399 x 34 mm
 * Rear: Cross-drilled ventilated discs, 360 x 28 mm

Suspension

 * Front: Double wishbone with anti-roll bar
 * Rear: Multilink with anti-roll bar

Steering

 * Steering gear type: Rack and pinion
 * Power steering type: Electric
 * Ratio: 14.3
 * Turns lock to lock: 2.35

Tyres and wheels

 * Wheels
 * Front: 20x9.5J BBS alloy
 * Rear: 20x11.5J BBS alloy


 * Tyres
 * Front: 265/35R20 95Y
 * Rear: 305/30R20 99Y

Safety
The Lexus LFA is fitted with a Takata “Airbelt” system which is commercially known as the SRS Seat Belt Airbag.

The airbag is built into the webbing of the seat belt, which inflates on impact to provide additional protection to the shoulder and critical head area. The system is the first of its kind in the world for passenger cars, and provides additional protection in both frontal and side impacts through a single safety product.

In the case of a frontal impact, the belt expands directly to spread the shock-load over a wider area of the occupant’s chest. In a side impact, the belt inflates between the shoulder and head to reduce lateral head movement and provide protection from impact with the side window or colliding object.

Other safety features

 * 4-wheel ABS
 * Dual front side-mounted airbags
 * Emergency braking assist
 * High pressure washers headlamps
 * Xenon high intensity discharge headlamp
 * 2 front headrests
 * Front seatbelt pretensioners
 * Stability control
 * Traction control
 * Electronic brakeforce distribution
 * Front integrated headrests
 * Tire pressure monitoring

Main Competitors
In terms of price, performance and exclusivity, these are the LFA's closest competitors. However, it should be noted that at its US$ 375,000 entry fee and 500 unit production, the LFA sits in a unique market segment that has no direct competitors (or which are no longer produced, such as the Porsche Carrera GT or the Mercedes-Benz SLR-McLaren).


 * Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
 * Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
 * Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
 * Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
 * McLaren MP4-12C

Interior
The LFA interior incorporates carbon fiber, leather, alcantara, and metallic surfaces. There are two bucket seats, and Lexus' Remote Touch controller interface. The instrument display is a digital speedometer with color-changing background, size-changing numbers, and side-appearing submenus. The LFA features a new seat-belt driver and passenger airbag design increases similar to the S-class ESF safety concept car. The steering wheel feaures a right-mounted start button, and alloy paddle-shifters.

Lexus LFA in Gran Turismo
The LFA features as a Premium car in Gran Turismo 5, where it can be bought from the Lexus dealership for 375,000 Credits at level 12.