LEXUS LFA is the name of IPERSPORT that the Japanese present to the 41st edition of the Tokyo Motor Show (October 24 to November 4) candidates to be the star absolute. For his first 2-seater coupe, Lexus has used three letters instead of the usual two and brings into play its image of quality, comfort and environmental friendliness with the hybrid, a car that has nothing to do with its twenty-year history and presents solutions and unique technologies, new absolute for the whole group area only to Toyota and LFA. In addition, we at OmniAuto.it we had the opportunity to see, touch and drive to preview this monster capable of challenging Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, but that points to a type of clientele, perhaps even more exclusive. Will in fact only 500 copies produced at the Motomachi plant with a price of 375mila euro. Will be done by hand to order, from the end of 2010 at a rate of 20 pieces per month.
Giving birth to nine years
The history of the LFA was founded 9 years ago, when it was created a working team headed by chief, Haruhiko Tanahashi. That the Lexus was working at a sport like this it became known in 2005 when, at the NAIAS in Detroit, was presented the LF-A (with the hyphen), a sporty two-seater rear-drive mid-front engine with over 500 CV and fractionation V10, the one then used in Formula 1. The LF-A has been repeatedly replicated at beauty salons in continuous evolution, even in Roadster version at the NAIAS in 2008, and has even fallen on the track at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for two consecutive years without a raise, to be truthful , exciting results. "Going out" was the answer that was given to reporters whenever she was asked when the LF-A would come, because the prototypes were still shooting at the German circuit and stretches of the body covered with adhesive tape and camuffature were less and less.
GO BEYOND THE CONCEPT
The LFA maintains that the prototype promising, indeed offers more: it is an front-engined two-seater coupe-rear-wheel drive station and 4.505 mm long, 1220 high, 1895 wide and with a wheelbase of 2605 mm. Curatissima aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.31 and an obvious study in function of downforce. In this regard, there is also a rear spoiler that comes out of the tail above 80 km / h. The 4.8-liter V10 to 560 hp at 8700 well-rpm (116.5 hp / liter) and 6-speed sequential gearbox is on the block with the type Torsen differential. The V10 is a real racing engine: it has banks to 72 °, titanium valves and connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, dry sump lubrication, butterflies single titanium exhaust manifolds with like "spaghetti" for have identical length and covers the distribution of magnesium. The couple do not wonder so much for the maximum value (480 Nm at 6,800 rpm) and for the delivery date 90% is available from 3700 rpm up to its maximum speed of 9,000 rpm. Weight of a V8 and is Euro 5, is as small as a V6 and he will mount it by hand by an attendant who will affix his signature to the end. 6-speed sequential gearbox is fitted to the rear block with the Torsen differential to have 52% of the masses at the rear. The LFA weighs 1480 kilograms equal to a power to weight ratio of 2.64 kg / hp.
CARBON FIBER everywhere
Responsible for this result is the body for 65% carbon fiber, a technology that the Lexus has developed within three years in view of its possible future use even on cars in the range. Carbon is also used in a variety of forms: crude is seen inside the doors, polished and splitting of the seats, door panels and instrument panel while polishing mat is placed on the eyelid under the screen to avoid reflections. Even the carbon-ceramic brakes discs as well as by the Italian company Brembo Belpaese circles are BBS 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with Bridgestone tires, 265/35 ZR20 front and 305/30 ZR20 rear. Aluminum also the peripheral structures of the chassis and suspension, front double wishbone and rear multilink overlapped, but without electronic devilry. The steering is to assist the electromechanical system ever used on cars so powerful and fast. This too is a sign that the LFA seems an end in itself, but it is not at all, and all the wealth of knowledge that encompasses is projected into the future. The LFA meanwhile claims to speak for its performance: 0-100 km / h in 3.7 seconds and 325 km / h top speed.
A passenger compartment of series, but futuristic
The door opens by pressing on the border that runs through the door to the side air vents above. Glass is naturally frame, red leather wraps the seats have belts padded carbon only two points and an ingenious system of electric regulation through a single lever located on the outer side of the seat. The dashboard is similar to that of the prototype and is futuristic. The central tunnel has no levers, clad in titanium and full joystick-shaped mouse that controls the multimedia system with 7-inch screen. The audio system is a 12 speaker Mark Levinson. The instrumentation has only one dial, but it's a masterpiece because it is composed of a TFT screen coupled to a metal ring that if necessary, move sideways to make room for every type of claim. The coloration of the tachometer, with scale up to 10, you can change, but in any event become red when the pointer approaches the edge of the red zone. The steering wheel is in carbon, cut the bottom and shift levers behind the steering column but with solidarity. To switch the agenda for change (Auto, Sport, Normal and Wet) is a button on the tunnel, to vary the speed according to a warming of 1 to 7 there is a command on the right satellite instrumentation.
FIRST CONTACT: RARE AND WILD ANIMAL
The start button is on the right race. The V10 starts with a deep growl. To understand how quick to get on and off speed, just a quantum leap to bring in 6 tenths of seconds from idle to 9,000 rpm. The change however is a bit 'car when you go plan and not too fast when going strong, despite the time shift promised is 2 tenths. A strike immediately is the torque of the V10 that pushes strong from idle, opens his mouth over 4,000 rpm and, at the approach of 6,500 rpm, turns into a hurricane that takes us into a moment of the needle rev up to a limit of 9,000 rpm. Impressive the brakes, powerful as one might expect from a plant of this kind, but incredibly mellow and adaptable to the pedal. The LFA help from feeling the exact opposite of what you would expect from a Lexus because it is addictive, makes you feel the rider attacked in the street enveloping sound of the V10 and putting it in direct contact with the road and with the reactions of the machine. Sure, we want to "handle" and time to understand the limitations and exploit them, but the taste had been sufficient to make us understand that the LFA asks who drives a skill not common and sustained efforts. Be respected and dominated, but if you can, the wheel offers truly unique emotions.
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