Popular Influencer ‘Shmee’ Says Lexus LFA Is One of His All-time Faves
Is the lightning-fast LFA deserving of such high praise? Of course it is, and we’ll tell you exactly why.
If you’ve spent any time online looking for cool car videos, you’ve probably come across the wild popular Shmee’s YouTube channel at least once. He’s an automotive enthusiast and writer who spends his days collecting sports cars and networking with owners so he can get a closer look at the ones he doesn’t own. Although his collection is pretty amazing. He shares all these adventures and more with his 1.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
In a recent video, he took a ride in a 2012 Lexus LFA. The LFA is definitely right up his alley: Luxurious, fast, and awe-inspiring. Naturally, he calls the Lexus LFA one of his favorite cars of all time.
One of 500
If (like Shmee and us) you’ve fallen in love with the Lexus LFA, you’ll have a heck of a time getting your hands on one. This unique Lexus had a very limited run between 2011 and 2012, and only 500 of this particular model were ever made. Word on the street is that only 5 are available. The one that Shmee checks out in his video is number 400 and belongs to fellow car lover Brian Goldstein.
Whether you’re sitting in the passenger seat or behind the wheel, or you’re gazing longingly at it from the street, the LFA has something for everyone. As Shmee says, the car’s sharp lines resemble the kind of look you’d see on supercars common in the ’90s. The retractable wing on the rear automatically vanishes as soon as you’re done driving, preserving the sleek look of the car’s exterior.
The inside is comfortable, which isn’t something a lot of supercars can say, with a fully digital dash and carbon-fiber accents. The driver can control things with paddles on the steering wheel, making it safer to drive, since you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to alter dashboard information.
It’s even got airbag seat belts, which in a 2012 model was unheard of. Lexus was truly ahead of its time with this design. The only real downside is the lack of insulation in the trunk. Don’t take an LFA to get groceries if you live somewhere warm, because it gets hot very fast.
Seriously Impressive Specs
The LFA isn’t just for looks–it’s also got some seriously impressive specs, with its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine that cranks out 553 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The aluminum pistons and titanium connecting rods and valves make it lighter than Lexus’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The V10 ended up being the best choice–it revs higher than a V8 with comparable displacement and has lower reciprocating mass than a V-12. It revs so fast, in fact, that Lexus had to switch to a digital tachometer. It can rev from idle to redline in 0.6 seconds, and a standard tach couldn’t keep up. We have commented before on its intoxicating exhaust note, sure to get that heart pumping.
It’s equipped with a six-speed automated manual transmission, but it shifts a little slowly, according to Goldstein. Lexus opted for a lightweight gearbox to lower the LFA’s overall weight instead of a double-clutch that would have enabled faster shifting. It’s not enough to make him dislike the car, but it’s enough to be noticeable.
Like a Big Cat
As Shmee says, the LFA is over-engineered, but in the very best way—and you can hear it when starting the engine or pressing the accelerator. It’s a high-pitched, fast-revving sound instead of the throaty roar you might otherwise associate with supercars. It reminds us more of a cat’s purr than a lion’s roar, and this isn’t a bad thing.
One of Our Faves, Too
All in all, we agree with Shmee. The LFA is easily one of Lexus’ best cars, and it’s one of our faves, too. We may never get our hands on one, thanks to the model’s limited run. However, it’s one that can go on our dream cars list–you know, in case we ever win a lottery jackpot and find someone willing to part with their LFA.
