The Lexus LFA is arguably the best Japanese supercar of all time. The fancy-looking coupe delivers extraordinary performance with its V10 engine while retaining perfect handling and fuel economy.
It took a painstaking 10 years of development to finally get the LFA into showrooms in 2012, but the car failed to sell. However, the once $375,000 sports car has now more than doubled its value as it attained mythical status among JDM car fans.
Today, you need an extra bit of luck to find a 2012 LFA since one pops up for sale very rarely. A used Lexus LFA that went up for sale recently proves that you’ll need some serious money too.
With a price tag that very nearly touches a 2008 Bugatti Veyron, justice has finally been served to this iconic yet underrated modern supercar. This particular specimen has cleared just 7,152 miles and is in perfectly good condition.
Lexus LFA Has Arguably The Best Sounding V10
There is nothing more satisfying than hearing a V10 engine roar to life. Add an extra-musical hue and turn it into an absolute piece of art, and you’ll get an idea of what the LFA sounds like.
When Lexus teamed up with Yamaha to craft the LFA’s engine and exhaust system, they set their goals to make the supercar stand out on a racetrack as much as it does on the road. Yamaha went the extra mile to fine-tune every aspect of the exhaust, ensuring that it produced the perfect notes. The end result was the industry’s best-sounding V10 engine, turning the LFA into the best-sounding supercar yet.
Yet, playing music is not all the exotic engine does. The V10 powerplant of the LFA was so responsive that it could rev up from 0 to 9000 rpm with the agility of a cat in just 0.6 seconds! It was much for any analog gauge to bear, so Toyota engineers added a digital gauge that could keep up with the V10's lightning-fast revs.
The LFA has its 4.8-liter V10 sitting in a front-mid engine layout. This may take drivers by surprise since the car looks much more like a mid-engine coupe. Lexus also went the extra mile to immerse occupants in the V10’s visceral growl by feeding the 'scream' into the cabin through a part of the intake piping. To ensure they can enjoy the 'music' in comfort, Lexus added the finest technology and leather seating to the LFA interior.
In raw power, Lexus is left in the dust of other supercars and even hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron. The engine generates 553 horses and 354 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission that powers the rear wheels.
Even though there are several modern supercars that can speed past an LFA in a straight line, they don’t possess everything that works together to make the LFA… an LFA. For one, the Lexus supercar has a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds.
If the acceleration doesn’t sound too impressive, the LFA's handling is so sharp that it feels like an extension of the driver's own body. At high speeds of over 150 mph, it maintains an extreme level of balance and stability most other supercars dream of achieving.
This is partially thanks to its downforce generated by the retracting rear wing and aero-body parts. The LFA has no trouble putting a quick stop to all its mighty force with its carbon-ceramic brake discs and Brembo brakes.
The 2012 Lexus LFA Is An Incredibly Rare Supercar
In a sad twist to Toyota’s story, the emotionally exhausting 10 years of development ended with a poor public reception. Terrible luck and bad timing, paired with poor marketing efforts, all resulted in the LFA being a flop. The extreme price tag of $375,000 didn’t help with popularity either. All of this translated to Lexus only producing 500 LFA supercars.
Lexus spent $800 million in developing the 2012 LFA, and each car was completely bespoke inside out. But they couldn’t sell for the price Lexus expected. They managed to get the 500 off dealerships, with each one at a loss. All this hurt was enough for them cut their losses and end production of the near-perfect supercar.
Over time, the once not-too-popular Lexus started to garner the attention of gearheads. The car is now known for being a beauty and a beast at the same time, with a sweet, sweet growl. However, the extremely limited numbers meant there will never be more than 500 owners.
A 2012 Lexus LFA On Sale For Hypercar Money
All of its specs, mythical status, and rare numbers don’t come at a discount. It is rare to see a Lexus LFA going for sale, but there is one up right now in London, England. However, it won’t budge for anything less than what you’ll pay for a 2008 Bugatti Veyron. If you are looking for a rare JDM car with a V10 engine, this one could be yours for $1,235,010.
Just like the Bugatti Veyron, the Lexus LFA was a passion project meeting every requirement listed out by the company’s CEO. And at long last, Toyota's passion project is finally getting the recognition and price tag it has always deserved.