Official LF-A(II) thread (Will debut at Tokyo Auto Show, Lexus details Oct 20th, 8pm)
10-10-07, 01:29 PM
#678
Just the audio system alone should add significant weight -- I mean, the LS has 19 speakers!!!
10-10-07, 01:31 PM
#679
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CFRP will be a big contributor to a light curb weight, but you're right.
Toyota will need a very determined combined effort to keep curb weight under 3000lbs. Small dimensions will help, as will CFRP, as will an engine that's smaller displacement compared to most of the competition, and likely lighter as well.
Toyota will need a very determined combined effort to keep curb weight under 3000lbs. Small dimensions will help, as will CFRP, as will an engine that's smaller displacement compared to most of the competition, and likely lighter as well.
10-10-07, 01:34 PM
#680
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disaplacement alone doesnt necessarily mean itll be light.
in the case of the lf-a, many of the components are spread through the car. eg cooling system. while this will help balance you can't necessarily say it helps overall weight.
i think the car will be relatively light, (how many performance cars are sub 3.4k lbs these days???) but not 2xxx light.
in the case of the lf-a, many of the components are spread through the car. eg cooling system. while this will help balance you can't necessarily say it helps overall weight.
i think the car will be relatively light, (how many performance cars are sub 3.4k lbs these days???) but not 2xxx light.
10-10-07, 01:55 PM
#681
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It's very simple:
Fact: the Enzo's V12 is physically bigger than a equivalent displacement V10 due to the extra cylinders. As a result, this means the Enzo's V12 is heavier than a 6.0L V10 would be, apples to apples.
Fact: apples to apples, bigger displacement usually means a bigger, heavier engine.
Apples to apples, the LF-A's V10 is closely based on an F1 V10. Same thing with the Carrera GT's V10. The GT though has a 5.7L V10, while the LF-A's V10 will be 5.0L or less in displacement. The LF-A V10, like the GT, is likely to use some super-light components such as magnesium, titanium, and carbon fiber. The LF-A's V10 is also highly rumoured to rev to 9000 RPM or beyond. For that to happen, the engine needs to be *very* light, and in particular the valvetrain needs to be extremely light to achieve those kind of revolutions per minute. Chances are, the LF-A V10 will be lighter than the Carrera GT's V10.
Toyota could be using super-light components in the transmission. There could be extensive use of carbon fiber in the interior to further reduce weight. Fact is, we don't know.
Many things can contribute to lower weight as I said, it all depends how determined Toyota is. It's not impossible.
The LF-A is just as likely to weight under 3000lbs as it is to weigh over 3000lbs.
I remember succinctly when critics said there was no way the LF-A would have a carbon fiber body, and that argument has been put to rest.
Fact: the Enzo's V12 is physically bigger than a equivalent displacement V10 due to the extra cylinders. As a result, this means the Enzo's V12 is heavier than a 6.0L V10 would be, apples to apples.
Fact: apples to apples, bigger displacement usually means a bigger, heavier engine.
Apples to apples, the LF-A's V10 is closely based on an F1 V10. Same thing with the Carrera GT's V10. The GT though has a 5.7L V10, while the LF-A's V10 will be 5.0L or less in displacement. The LF-A V10, like the GT, is likely to use some super-light components such as magnesium, titanium, and carbon fiber. The LF-A's V10 is also highly rumoured to rev to 9000 RPM or beyond. For that to happen, the engine needs to be *very* light, and in particular the valvetrain needs to be extremely light to achieve those kind of revolutions per minute. Chances are, the LF-A V10 will be lighter than the Carrera GT's V10.
Toyota could be using super-light components in the transmission. There could be extensive use of carbon fiber in the interior to further reduce weight. Fact is, we don't know.
Many things can contribute to lower weight as I said, it all depends how determined Toyota is. It's not impossible.
The LF-A is just as likely to weight under 3000lbs as it is to weigh over 3000lbs.
I remember succinctly when critics said there was no way the LF-A would have a carbon fiber body, and that argument has been put to rest.
10-10-07, 02:58 PM
#682
10-10-07, 04:35 PM
#683
What's CF reinforced plastic? A plastic body "laminated" with CF? Aside from cost, is there any other advantage?
The final weight will also depend on what Lexus adds to the car. How thick the leather will be, the seat frame, how big the electric motors (for the seats, windows, steering wheel etc) will be and so forth. Don't forget, Lexus already saved 9kg (on avg) just by scooping out a tiny bit from each screw head. I'm sure Toyota can find ways to reduce weight.
The final weight will also depend on what Lexus adds to the car. How thick the leather will be, the seat frame, how big the electric motors (for the seats, windows, steering wheel etc) will be and so forth. Don't forget, Lexus already saved 9kg (on avg) just by scooping out a tiny bit from each screw head. I'm sure Toyota can find ways to reduce weight.
10-10-07, 05:24 PM
#685
Even if Lexus uses carbon fiber, the interior of the car with all the electronics, textiles, and safety equipment will add significant weight to the car, making it >3000+ lbs.
Just the audio system alone should add significant weight -- I mean, the LS has 19 speakers!!!
Just the audio system alone should add significant weight -- I mean, the LS has 19 speakers!!!
10-10-07, 05:33 PM
#687
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Yup. The LS needs that many speakers to satisfy 5 passengers, while the 2-seater LF-A needs at most a tweeter, a midrange, a woofer on each side, a central channel in the front, and a subwoofer in the back, to make for a total of 8 speakers.
I wonder if Lexus will offer audio system delete as an option for hardcore track enthusiasts though. Probably won't happen.
I wonder if Lexus will offer audio system delete as an option for hardcore track enthusiasts though. Probably won't happen.
10-10-07, 07:04 PM
#690
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Actually, I think many of us will be rather shocked with THIS particular Lexus.
With a rumoured super-low curb weight, awesome weight distribution, and a 500+HP engine it's pretty hard to make it more luxurious than sporty.
IMO, it will be LF-A = sport = luxury.
Arguably it can be said that the IS-F has equal sport and luxury.
With a rumoured super-low curb weight, awesome weight distribution, and a 500+HP engine it's pretty hard to make it more luxurious than sporty.
IMO, it will be LF-A = sport = luxury.
Arguably it can be said that the IS-F has equal sport and luxury.