Lexus LFA The Most Underrated Supercar Ever Made

Overview

Lexus LFA took a decade of design and rigorous testing for Lexus to finally release it, but it died. The Lexus LFA is a masterclass in engineering and a beautiful piece of art. Toyota sold the LFA at $375,000 and lost money on every unit of the 500 produced. While the LFA was considered a commercial flop, its popularity has increased over the last few years to such an extent that used cars sell for double or even more than the original MSRP.

10. The LFA Is An F-Only Model

There was no IS, GS, or NX; it was just LFA. The closest to a single trim performance model since the LFA is the LC 500. The LFA was unique, one of a kind, exclusive, and exceptional. While the LFA may cost an insane amount of cash, it is worth every penny.

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9. The Car Is Entirely Bespoke

In being an F-only model, the LFA was completely bespoke. The chassis and drivetrain were not inspired by any existing platform and most of the components used in the car were specifically designed for the LFA.

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8. 9400-RPM Screaming V10

The most important part of the Lexus LFA was the engine. It is a 4.8L naturally aspirated V10, producing 553 hp and 476 Nm of torque. Lexus chose a V10 over a V8 as it can rev higher and over a V12 due to its lower reciprocating mass.

7. Styled By Math

With the use of exotic materials within the construction of the car, the LFA’s center of mass was extremely low. This resulted in exquisite handling, great acceleration, and better fuel economy. The exterior panels are all made of carbon fiber and the aesthetics take second place to aerodynamics and operation. Every vent on the car does a job and nothing is there for the sake of looks.

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6. Slow Tachometer

The instant engine response of the screaming V10 revs from idle to its 9,000 rpm redline in 0.6 seconds. During testing, the analog dials in the car were too slow to keep up with the engine. The brand then decided to switch to a digital tachometer.

5. Each LFA Is Unique Thanks To The Personalization Options

The LFA, being a bespoke car, was built to how the customer wanted it. Lexus offered many different options to choose from – especially since it started from $375,000. This options include exterior and interior color shades, the color of brake calipers, the types of seats, and type of leather on the steering wheel, etc. With the number of options, the price for an LFA could bump over $400,000.

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4. It Took 10 Years To Develop

Lexus started development on their supercar in the late 1990s and showcased the first concept; called the LF-A at the 2005 North American Motor Show. Finally, the production-ready LFA debuted at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

3. You Could Have It With A Massive Wing

In 2010, Lexus announced a track-focused version of the LFA, which was an option even after the normal car was delivered. Lexus called it the LFA Nürburgring Package as a reference to the LFA race cars that raced at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. This package included a 10 hp boost, and the transmission was recalibrated to shift 0.05 seconds faster. The package got a body kit that included a large front splitter, front canards, high-performance tires, stiffer and adjustable suspension, and a fixed rear wing.

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2. The Interior Is Unique

The interior was also unique to the LFA. The seats were bespoke for the car, as was the steering wheel keeping the basic Lexus style, but with improvements. The car does not have a traditional gear shifter on the center console. Instead, the driver uses the shift paddles to select the drive, reverse and neutral.

1. It Makes The Best Sound Of Any Car Ever Made

The engine’s intake and exhaust manifolds were diligently designed to make the car sound like a Formula 1 car. A US television program even used the LFA’s exhaust note to shatter a champagne glass through resonance frequency.

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