Old or new – every vehicle that rolls out of the production line relates to auto culture and tends to follow the steps of those that came before it. However, there are some cars that have changed the way we understand auto culture, and one such vehicle is the Lexus LFA - a bare-knuckle butler of a supercar.
The Lexus LFA is a two-seater coupe that went down in history as an outstanding sports car, as well as a particularly expensive choice (a bit too expensive, in fact). The Lexus LFA has a sophisticated front V10 engine, which churns out the kind of power you'd only expect to see from a Ferrari 599GTB stat sheet. With its dominant engine, it's fair to say the Lexus LFA is like a Corvette ZR1 on Steroids.
Unveiled almost a decade ago, the Lexus LFA changed the sports car philosophy. A super design combined with a more superior engine? We had to throw away everything we thought we knew about what a supercar should be to accept this ride. Half a decade later, the LFA was released, and it became everything we knew we were missing. Today, it’s still one of the strongest cars you’ll find.
Without further ado, let's look at what makes the V10 engine the most outstanding feature of the Lexus LFA.
Its Naturally Aspirated V10 Engine Gives The Lexus LFA Supreme Quality
The engine under the hood turns the Lexus LFA into a sensational car to drive. To develop this masterpiece of a powertrain, Lexus partnered with Yamaha, a Japanese specialist engineering company, and Toyota Motor Corporation.
The sports car is equipped with a 4.8-liter V10 engine with a 4,805cc capacity, which produces up to 552 hp, and can rev to an impressive 9,000 rpm threshold. Additionally, the engine offers 480Nm of torque at 6,800 rpm, adding up to the reasons why the Lexus LFA is so expensive.
To achieve a balance engine-wise, Lexus placed the engine cylinder heads at a 72-degree angle between each other. This balance ensures a smooth riding experience provided by outstanding throttle feedback. Also, the Lexus comes with Dual VVT-i technology, which was added to the engine; this combines with the exhaust manifolds and 12-hole fuel injectors to boost the rotating force from 3,700 rpm up to 9,000 rpm.
Irrespective of its insane stats, the V10 engine was designed to be as compact as a V8, which makes sense considering the compact design of the coupe. Further, the engine's light weight helps with the vehicle's speed.
The V10 Engine Pairs With An Advanced Transmission System And A Rear-Wheel-Drive
To give you the best driving performance possible, the V10 engine pairs with a 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) to drive the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential. The transmission system is tailored to match the car's equally unique powertrain and can provide an upshift speed of 0.2 seconds. To get the most performance, the system comes with four driving modes: Auto, Sport, Normal, and Wet; each mode will give you a different shifting spec and braking system.
The car is also fitted with a Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) system, which helps to stabilize the car at any speed. The Lexus LFA can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in as little as 3.7 seconds and claims a top speed of 202 mph.
The Lexus LFA Is Still Among The Best Sports Cars Out There
The LFA comes with a great exterior design that pays homage to both Lexus and Toyota. To minimize the weight of the car, a decision was made to switch the aluminum for an advanced carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the bodywork. Besides making it light, the CFRP material delivers admirable impact protection, should you end up in an accident. Also, the material made it easy for designers to shape the body.
The Lexus LFA measures 177.4 inches in length, 74.6 inches in width, 48.0 inches in height, and has a wheelbase measuring 102.6 inches long.
Like the exterior, the inside of the Lexus LFA is futuristic and nothing you would expect to see in an early 2010s sports car. The interior of the two-seater sports car is built with driver-focused ergonomics. The seats are covered in fine leather and Alcantara, which provide the right amount of support and a comfortable experience. The most attractive feature of the Lexus LFA’s interior is the LCD display panel, which notably comes with a color thin film transistor (TFT).
Only around 500 units of the Lexus LFA were produced, and one currently remains unsold. Despite its industrial mark and roaring engine, the Lexus LFA was eventually discontinued due to its outrageously high price tag; about $472,000 to be precise. Today, the Lexus LFA is a valuable collectible that is a master of the drag strip and an everyday vehicle.