1st Exotic Lexus......New Lexus GT 450/500 (new scans/info)
04-07-06, 09:09 AM
#77
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by XeroK00L
Full-length video clip of the previous prototype anyone? (The previously posted clips are way shorter.) 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...43662691682345
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...43662691682345
04-07-06, 08:54 PM
#79
Guest
Posts: n/a
F1 for the road
The Lexus LF-A concept car has made a public appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show in last year’s October. However, while the shiny display model was on the Lexus stand, a black-clad prototype was being put through its paces at Germany's Nurburgring circuit. Toyota officials let slip in Tokyo that the production car, likely to be called the LF-H, is going to have a V10 engine, developed from the engines in Toyota's F1 cars, which is thought to develop over 500bhp and give 280km/h-plus capability.
Although the engine is front- rather than mid-mounted, the LF-H will be rear-wheel drive, and Lexus has promised "the ultimate weight balance", "extravagant comfort" and "precision operation". While we’ve now snapped the coupé, word is that the LF-H could as well come with the option of a metal folding roof, as Lexus aims to take on the likes of the Mercedes SL65 AMG as well as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin DB9 coupes and their drop-top counterparts. The LF-H hasn't yet been confirmed for production, but the continued and sustained testing of prototypes like this, plus the repeat appearance of the concept car at international motor shows, suggests that it's a pretty definite contender.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/sp...hotos
Previous prototype testing video:
http://video.google.com/videop...82345
The Lexus LF-A concept car has made a public appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show in last year’s October. However, while the shiny display model was on the Lexus stand, a black-clad prototype was being put through its paces at Germany's Nurburgring circuit. Toyota officials let slip in Tokyo that the production car, likely to be called the LF-H, is going to have a V10 engine, developed from the engines in Toyota's F1 cars, which is thought to develop over 500bhp and give 280km/h-plus capability.
Although the engine is front- rather than mid-mounted, the LF-H will be rear-wheel drive, and Lexus has promised "the ultimate weight balance", "extravagant comfort" and "precision operation". While we’ve now snapped the coupé, word is that the LF-H could as well come with the option of a metal folding roof, as Lexus aims to take on the likes of the Mercedes SL65 AMG as well as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin DB9 coupes and their drop-top counterparts. The LF-H hasn't yet been confirmed for production, but the continued and sustained testing of prototypes like this, plus the repeat appearance of the concept car at international motor shows, suggests that it's a pretty definite contender.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/sp...hotos
Previous prototype testing video:
http://video.google.com/videop...82345
04-10-06, 11:53 AM
#81
Speaks French in Russian
Japan's sports-car race hits top gear
By Ed Hellwig Email
Date posted: 04-06-2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=109916
By Ed Hellwig Email
Date posted: 04-06-2006
They used to be concepts; now they're prototypes. We're talking about the 2008 Lexus LF-A and its archrival, the 2008 Nissan GT-R. For years these Japanese sports cars churned through the rumor mill along with Japan's other supercar, the Acura NSX. Nissan started things off with the first GT-R concept in 2001. Then in January of 2005, Lexus rolled out the LF-A concept and the race was on to see which Japanese manufacturer would be first to market with a true Porsche 911 killer. Nissan followed up in October with the GT-R concept in Tokyo while Honda officially confirmed its intent to build a successor to the long-running NSX sometime in the next few years.
Not long after the debut of the LF-A, we caught footage of a prototype on Germany's Nürburgring test track. It was covered from nose to tail, with no clear signs of the production design underneath.
Our latest spy photos of a similar prototype on the same track reveal a few more details than before. Up front you can clearly see the detailing of the headlights. With their amber marker lights and single projector beam in the middle, the clusters are significantly different from those of the concept. Other revisions worth noting are the three large air intakes and F1-inspired front air dam.
In profile this LF-A prototype doesn't reveal much more than before. You can see the actual body panels this time around, but there's not much in the way of character lines other than a slightly swept-back B-pillar, yet another change to the concept. The flat shoulder panels and side air intakes look as though they'll make it through to production as well. In back, the center-mounted exhaust pipes remain along with the thin taillights and twin-tunnel diffuser.
Around the same time of the Lexus test, a less production-ready prototype of Infiniti's GT-R sports car was also caught at the Nürburgring. Unlike the Lexus, the GT-R prototype wore a current G35 shell, but with its patchwork body panels and huge quad tailpipes, it was pretty obvious there was more than your run-of-the-mill VQ six-cylinder under the hood.
Most rumors suggest power will come from a 4.5-liter, twin-turbocharged version of Nissan's V6, a combination of displacement and boost that should be good for around 450 horsepower. With Lexus hinting at around 500 hp from the LF-A's V10, Nissan is going to have to generate at least that much to stay competitive.
Like its GT-R predecessors, the 2008 GT-R is expected to use all-wheel drive to put the power down. Acura is expected to do the same with the NSX while the Lexus LF-A will most likely stick with rear-wheel drive.
When we'll see these cars in showrooms is still hard to pin down. We expect the Lexus will probably come first with a production model possible late next year. Nissan is expected to show the final version of the GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, but sales probably won't start in the U.S. until mid-2008.
Not long after the debut of the LF-A, we caught footage of a prototype on Germany's Nürburgring test track. It was covered from nose to tail, with no clear signs of the production design underneath.
Our latest spy photos of a similar prototype on the same track reveal a few more details than before. Up front you can clearly see the detailing of the headlights. With their amber marker lights and single projector beam in the middle, the clusters are significantly different from those of the concept. Other revisions worth noting are the three large air intakes and F1-inspired front air dam.
In profile this LF-A prototype doesn't reveal much more than before. You can see the actual body panels this time around, but there's not much in the way of character lines other than a slightly swept-back B-pillar, yet another change to the concept. The flat shoulder panels and side air intakes look as though they'll make it through to production as well. In back, the center-mounted exhaust pipes remain along with the thin taillights and twin-tunnel diffuser.
Around the same time of the Lexus test, a less production-ready prototype of Infiniti's GT-R sports car was also caught at the Nürburgring. Unlike the Lexus, the GT-R prototype wore a current G35 shell, but with its patchwork body panels and huge quad tailpipes, it was pretty obvious there was more than your run-of-the-mill VQ six-cylinder under the hood.
Most rumors suggest power will come from a 4.5-liter, twin-turbocharged version of Nissan's V6, a combination of displacement and boost that should be good for around 450 horsepower. With Lexus hinting at around 500 hp from the LF-A's V10, Nissan is going to have to generate at least that much to stay competitive.
Like its GT-R predecessors, the 2008 GT-R is expected to use all-wheel drive to put the power down. Acura is expected to do the same with the NSX while the Lexus LF-A will most likely stick with rear-wheel drive.
When we'll see these cars in showrooms is still hard to pin down. We expect the Lexus will probably come first with a production model possible late next year. Nissan is expected to show the final version of the GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, but sales probably won't start in the U.S. until mid-2008.
05-06-06, 07:04 PM
#84
All change on ultimate Toyota
Work in progress, that's the best way to describe Toyota's new supercar. The mag's spies caught the much hyped two-seater undergoing testing at the famous Nürburgring in Germany, but there's plenty left to do before it makes an unusual debut.
The Japanese firm is set to unveil the LF-A - which has already been revealed in concept form - as a pace car at next year's Japanese Grand Prix.
The F1 event coincides with the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and will take place at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway for the first time in 30 years. However, eager buyers will have to be patient, because the car won't hit showrooms until early 2009 - but there's good reason for the wait. While the current prototype uses a spaceframe platform with an all-aluminium body, and features a 4.8-litre V10 engine, major changes are planned.
Toyota intends to build the world's most luxurious, best handling and safest supercar ever, incorporating as much F1 technology as possible - so it has ditched the metal body in favour of carbon fibre. The panels are currently under development at a tailor-made production facility in Japan.
Roadgoing versions of the LF-A are also expected to boast a more powerful 500hp 5.0-litre V10, ensuring a top speed in excess of 200mph. Weighing in at around 1,200kg, the car should be one of the fastest machines on the planet.
Potential buyers need to save their pennies, though - the new skin should result in a price in excess of £80,000 when the model arrives in the UK.
Peter Lyon
AutoExpress
Work in progress, that's the best way to describe Toyota's new supercar. The mag's spies caught the much hyped two-seater undergoing testing at the famous Nürburgring in Germany, but there's plenty left to do before it makes an unusual debut.
The Japanese firm is set to unveil the LF-A - which has already been revealed in concept form - as a pace car at next year's Japanese Grand Prix.
The F1 event coincides with the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and will take place at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway for the first time in 30 years. However, eager buyers will have to be patient, because the car won't hit showrooms until early 2009 - but there's good reason for the wait. While the current prototype uses a spaceframe platform with an all-aluminium body, and features a 4.8-litre V10 engine, major changes are planned.
Toyota intends to build the world's most luxurious, best handling and safest supercar ever, incorporating as much F1 technology as possible - so it has ditched the metal body in favour of carbon fibre. The panels are currently under development at a tailor-made production facility in Japan.
Roadgoing versions of the LF-A are also expected to boast a more powerful 500hp 5.0-litre V10, ensuring a top speed in excess of 200mph. Weighing in at around 1,200kg, the car should be one of the fastest machines on the planet.
Potential buyers need to save their pennies, though - the new skin should result in a price in excess of £80,000 when the model arrives in the UK.
Peter Lyon
AutoExpress
05-06-06, 07:14 PM
#85
Guest
Posts: n/a
It's been awhile since we touched on Toyota's plans for its upcoming LF-A supercar, the concept of which debuted at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Auto Express is reporting the production version will debut as the pace car at next year's Japanese Grand Prix, which is taking place at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway for the first time in 30 years. The F1 race takes place at the same time as the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, so we should expect the official debut there. Buyers will still have to wait until early 2009 to buy an LF-A, as Toyota is still working hard to nail down the hardware. Auto Express is reporting sheetmetal has been ditched in favor of an all-carbon fiber body and the powerplant will be a 500-hp 5.0L V10 derived directly from F1 racing. With a weight just north of 2,500 lbs its performance should be world class, as will the price that's expected to be around $150,000.
05-06-06, 07:14 PM
#86
Guest
Posts: n/a
Its been rumored that Toyota is going to supply Williams next season with their engines instead of Midland, and Toyota would ask the engines to be branded "Lexus" instead of Toyota.
So their may be a Williams-Lexus next season, which makes sense, being that its a great oppurtunity for Toyota to get brand recognition for the Lexus brand in the European market, where Lexus has always struggled.
Likely the Lexus LF-A will fit perfectly into that.
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/230....html
Quote, originally posted by Yahoo Sports »
It is still not clear what brand of engine will reside the rear of Williams' F1 car next year.
While the Grove based team's one-year customer arrangement with Cosworth this season has so far netted impressive pace, Sir Frank Williams is believed to have pencilled-in a semi-works deal for Toyota V8 engines in '07 and beyond.
According to Speed TV, Williams is still waiting for the Japanese carmaker's final call.
The deal would apparently involve Toyota not continuing with MF1 Racing beyond the end of the season, and subsidising Williams' supply in return for the engine being officially called a 'Lexus'.
Refusing to confirm or deny the speculation, Williams did admit that his engineers would like to know what power plant they need to accommodate for the FW29.
“We are not totally in control of our own destiny,” the Englishman admitted, “so (the decision) could go beyond (June).”
If Toyota say yes, it's likely to be a tricky choice for Williams. Cosworth's first V8 is perhaps the finest on the grid, but a question mark remains about their ability to keep up with the development spend of rivals.
A 'Lexus' deal, too, would cost less as Toyota plug its luxury label.
So their may be a Williams-Lexus next season, which makes sense, being that its a great oppurtunity for Toyota to get brand recognition for the Lexus brand in the European market, where Lexus has always struggled.
Likely the Lexus LF-A will fit perfectly into that.
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/230....html
Quote, originally posted by Yahoo Sports »
It is still not clear what brand of engine will reside the rear of Williams' F1 car next year.
While the Grove based team's one-year customer arrangement with Cosworth this season has so far netted impressive pace, Sir Frank Williams is believed to have pencilled-in a semi-works deal for Toyota V8 engines in '07 and beyond.
According to Speed TV, Williams is still waiting for the Japanese carmaker's final call.
The deal would apparently involve Toyota not continuing with MF1 Racing beyond the end of the season, and subsidising Williams' supply in return for the engine being officially called a 'Lexus'.
Refusing to confirm or deny the speculation, Williams did admit that his engineers would like to know what power plant they need to accommodate for the FW29.
“We are not totally in control of our own destiny,” the Englishman admitted, “so (the decision) could go beyond (June).”
If Toyota say yes, it's likely to be a tricky choice for Williams. Cosworth's first V8 is perhaps the finest on the grid, but a question mark remains about their ability to keep up with the development spend of rivals.
A 'Lexus' deal, too, would cost less as Toyota plug its luxury label.
05-08-06, 01:05 PM
#88
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Dec 2001
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LF-A already upgraded?
Not sure if this is a rumor or not, just found it while surfing around.
Toyota has decided to make major changes to its Lexus LF-A concept in order to make it the “most luxurious, best handling and safest supercar ever,” reports AutoExpress magazine. According to the report, Lexus has decided to ditch the aluminum body for a carbon fiber one. Furthermore, the company has upped the V10 engine’s displacement from 4.8 liters to 5.0, offering 500 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. The car will weigh in around 2,600 pounds, making for some impressive acceleration times — not to mention impressive handling. LF-A will reportedly make its official debut as the pace car at next year’s Japanese Grand Prix — an F1 event that coincides with the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/05/...to-lexus-lf-a/
Toyota has decided to make major changes to its Lexus LF-A concept in order to make it the “most luxurious, best handling and safest supercar ever,” reports AutoExpress magazine. According to the report, Lexus has decided to ditch the aluminum body for a carbon fiber one. Furthermore, the company has upped the V10 engine’s displacement from 4.8 liters to 5.0, offering 500 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. The car will weigh in around 2,600 pounds, making for some impressive acceleration times — not to mention impressive handling. LF-A will reportedly make its official debut as the pace car at next year’s Japanese Grand Prix — an F1 event that coincides with the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/05/...to-lexus-lf-a/
05-08-06, 01:09 PM
#89
I've been reading those rumors too....carbon fiber being lighter than aluminum. Although 'best handling' remaisn to be seen.
What about the debut with the F1 victory?
I am so ready to see the Lexus GT 500!
What about the debut with the F1 victory?
I am so ready to see the Lexus GT 500!
, sorry u gotta buy the mag to see that.