Lexus LFA- Discussion, Pictures & News (new colors gloss black, blue, yellow)
10-27-10, 12:20 AM
#3031
Also, the front engine/rear wheel drive midship layout LFA has is far more expensive to build than a rear engine/rear wheel drive midship layout that typical entry level Ferraris have. LFA has a carbon fiber torque tube just for this reason.
Also, the revolutionary things such as a 1.26: 1 counter gearset that adds torque multiplication (increases overall final drive from 3.42:1 to 4.3:1) and also helps achieve a lower center of gravity.
Inherently, front-engine/RWD midship layout is far superior in terms of stability than the rear-engine/RWD midship layout and gives a much more neutral balance inherently. Lexus achieved that magic number thanks to its super light V10 that weighs as much as a 3.0 Liter V6.
It is just that most companies opt for the rear-engine/RWD layout to achieve that 62/48 magic distribution simply because it is cheaper and easier to achieve.
Also, the revolutionary things such as a 1.26: 1 counter gearset that adds torque multiplication (increases overall final drive from 3.42:1 to 4.3:1) and also helps achieve a lower center of gravity.
Inherently, front-engine/RWD midship layout is far superior in terms of stability than the rear-engine/RWD midship layout and gives a much more neutral balance inherently. Lexus achieved that magic number thanks to its super light V10 that weighs as much as a 3.0 Liter V6.
It is just that most companies opt for the rear-engine/RWD layout to achieve that 62/48 magic distribution simply because it is cheaper and easier to achieve.
10-27-10, 06:41 AM
#3033
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ferrari's are mid-engined. The 911 is rear engined. Technically the LFA is mid-engined(front mid-ship).
Also wasn't the CGT a manual? It had a 3rd pedal, I remember reading about the clutch on it and the wood gear ****. So really apples to oranges her(in regards to the tranny).
Also wasn't the CGT a manual? It had a 3rd pedal, I remember reading about the clutch on it and the wood gear ****. So really apples to oranges her(in regards to the tranny).
10-27-10, 07:43 AM
#3034
Lexus Test Driver
Thanks.
That is the common misconception. Most people think mid-engined means engine between the rear axle and cabin. However, mid-engine means placing the engine as close to the center of the car. In front mid-engine, the cabin moves back as the engine gets to the center of the chassis while in rear mid-engine, the cabin moves forward to make room for the engine between the rear axle and cabin.
Both ways, the magic 62/48 weight balance can be achieved, but the front mid-engine is far more challenging to execute and also much more expensive to produce.
Also, I personally love the long hood/short rear deck look as the driver sits almost over the rear axle and looks far more proportionate and "masculine" than the short hood and long rear deck look, which for some creepy reason makes me think of a S10 Pick-up truck with the cab so close to the front radiator and the front wheels and long rear deck.
That is the common misconception. Most people think mid-engined means engine between the rear axle and cabin. However, mid-engine means placing the engine as close to the center of the car. In front mid-engine, the cabin moves back as the engine gets to the center of the chassis while in rear mid-engine, the cabin moves forward to make room for the engine between the rear axle and cabin.
Both ways, the magic 62/48 weight balance can be achieved, but the front mid-engine is far more challenging to execute and also much more expensive to produce.
Also, I personally love the long hood/short rear deck look as the driver sits almost over the rear axle and looks far more proportionate and "masculine" than the short hood and long rear deck look, which for some creepy reason makes me think of a S10 Pick-up truck with the cab so close to the front radiator and the front wheels and long rear deck.
Ferrari's are mid-engined. The 911 is rear engined. Technically the LFA is mid-engined(front mid-ship).
Also wasn't the CGT a manual? It had a 3rd pedal, I remember reading about the clutch on it and the wood gear ****. So really apples to oranges her(in regards to the tranny).
Also wasn't the CGT a manual? It had a 3rd pedal, I remember reading about the clutch on it and the wood gear ****. So really apples to oranges her(in regards to the tranny).
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 10-27-10 at 07:53 AM.
10-27-10, 07:53 AM
#3035
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks. I do believe Lexus did state they chose front mid-ship so the car doesn't try to kill you ever time you drive 
It really helps with balance but it does seem less exotic then the engine behind the driver. There is something just cool about seeing the engine in the back, especially as a showcase like in the R8, Ferraris, etc. 
The ZR1 has some clear plastic to see the engine up front but it just seems odd to me.
It really helps with balance but it does seem less exotic then the engine behind the driver. There is something just cool about seeing the engine in the back, especially as a showcase like in the R8, Ferraris, etc. The ZR1 has some clear plastic to see the engine up front but it just seems odd to me.
10-27-10, 08:07 AM
#3036
Lead Lap
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ontario
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I buy the LFA because on the promise of it being the complete driving experience package, not because of any single feature. Also, I like its exclusivity, backed up by one of the best car makers. Last, but not least, I love the idea of getting something created based on passion vs those based on commercial purposes (I guess this is how an art collector would feel?).
If performance/dollar mattered, a modded GT-R would get my money.
If Ferrari offered free maintenance for life, then I might consider its cars. No amount of badge prestige can offet the risks (fire in the case of the 458).
Furthermore, correct me if I am wrong, Toyota/Lexus is not known as early adaptors of major technologies. One example is the usage of Li ions batteries in its Hybrids. However, when they do use the tech, they often make the best of them.
If performance/dollar mattered, a modded GT-R would get my money.
If Ferrari offered free maintenance for life, then I might consider its cars. No amount of badge prestige can offet the risks (fire in the case of the 458).
Furthermore, correct me if I am wrong, Toyota/Lexus is not known as early adaptors of major technologies. One example is the usage of Li ions batteries in its Hybrids. However, when they do use the tech, they often make the best of them.
Last edited by 07grIS350; 10-27-10 at 08:46 AM.
10-27-10, 08:28 AM
#3037
Lexus Test Driver
The biggest thing is the response and the sound, which you cannot get with any of the other cars you mentioned.Getting tuned by Yamaha music with precise octave engineering on LFA and the whole "rich three D sound filled in cabin" is just mind boggling.
You would never get bored with this car. I can guarantee you that. I know I would never.
You would never get bored with this car. I can guarantee you that. I know I would never.
I buy the LFA because on the promise of it being the complete driving experience package, not because of any single feature. Also, I like its exclusivity, backed up by one of the best car makers. Last, but not least, I love the idea of getting something created based on passion vs those based on commercial purposes (I guess this is how an art collector would feel?).
If performance/dollar matter, a modded GT-R would get my money.
If Ferrari offered free maintenance for life, then I might consider its cars. No amount of badge prestige can offet the risks (fire in the case of the 458).
Furthermore, correct me if I am wrong, Toyota/Lexus is not known as early adaptors of major technologies. One example is the usage of Li ions batteries in its Hybrids. However, when they do use the tech, they often make the best of them.
If performance/dollar matter, a modded GT-R would get my money.
If Ferrari offered free maintenance for life, then I might consider its cars. No amount of badge prestige can offet the risks (fire in the case of the 458).
Furthermore, correct me if I am wrong, Toyota/Lexus is not known as early adaptors of major technologies. One example is the usage of Li ions batteries in its Hybrids. However, when they do use the tech, they often make the best of them.
10-27-10, 08:49 AM
#3038
Thanks. I do believe Lexus did state they chose front mid-ship so the car doesn't try to kill you ever time you drive It really helps with balance but it does seem less exotic then the engine behind the driver. There is something just cool about seeing the engine in the back, especially as a showcase like in the R8, Ferraris, etc. The ZR1 has some clear plastic to see the engine up front but it just seems odd to me.
It really helps with balance but it does seem less exotic then the engine behind the driver. There is something just cool about seeing the engine in the back, especially as a showcase like in the R8, Ferraris, etc. The ZR1 has some clear plastic to see the engine up front but it just seems odd to me.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-engine_design
10-27-10, 08:57 AM
#3039
Lead Lap
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ontario
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The biggest thing is the response and the sound, which you cannot get with any of the other cars you mentioned.Getting tuned by Yamaha music with precise octave engineering on LFA and the whole "rich three D sound filled in cabin" is just mind boggling.
You would never get bored with this car. I can guarantee you that. I know I would never.
You would never get bored with this car. I can guarantee you that. I know I would never.
I don't think I will ever get bore with this car.
10-27-10, 09:47 AM
#3040
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Under an IS F since 2008
Posts: 13,441
Received 1,064 Likes
on
586 Posts
Thanks.
That is the common misconception. Most people think mid-engined means engine between the rear axle and cabin. However, mid-engine means placing the engine as close to the center of the car. In front mid-engine, the cabin moves back as the engine gets to the center of the chassis while in rear mid-engine, the cabin moves forward to make room for the engine between the rear axle and cabin.
Both ways, the magic 62/48 weight balance can be achieved, but the front mid-engine is far more challenging to execute and also much more expensive to produce.
Also, I personally love the long hood/short rear deck look as the driver sits almost over the rear axle and looks far more proportionate and "masculine" than the short hood and long rear deck look, which for some creepy reason makes me think of a S10 Pick-up truck with the cab so close to the front radiator and the front wheels and long rear deck.
That is the common misconception. Most people think mid-engined means engine between the rear axle and cabin. However, mid-engine means placing the engine as close to the center of the car. In front mid-engine, the cabin moves back as the engine gets to the center of the chassis while in rear mid-engine, the cabin moves forward to make room for the engine between the rear axle and cabin.
Both ways, the magic 62/48 weight balance can be achieved, but the front mid-engine is far more challenging to execute and also much more expensive to produce.
Also, I personally love the long hood/short rear deck look as the driver sits almost over the rear axle and looks far more proportionate and "masculine" than the short hood and long rear deck look, which for some creepy reason makes me think of a S10 Pick-up truck with the cab so close to the front radiator and the front wheels and long rear deck.
I'm sure you had a slight typo on your 62/48
The LFA is split 48:52... Lexus spec data shows me its clearly a nicley maximized Front Mounted engine design..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front-engine_design
Below is another page from the school of LFA.
joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 10-27-10 at 10:18 AM.
10-27-10, 10:16 AM
#3042
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can clearly see how the LFA's engine is placed after the front axle in these pics. It's therefore front mid-engined by definition.
It's in the PR too.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...010916291.aspx
It's in the PR too.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...010916291.aspx
Originally Posted by Lexus PR
The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A's engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.
10-27-10, 10:31 AM
#3043
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Under an IS F since 2008
Posts: 13,441
Received 1,064 Likes
on
586 Posts
You can clearly see how the LFA's engine is placed after the front axle in these pics. It's therefore front mid-engined by definition.
It's in the PR too.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...010916291.aspx
It's in the PR too.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...010916291.aspx
That PR is old and it seems to refer to the concept roadster...
The LFA Engine is mounted adjacent to the Front wheels.. It hangs out behind them to achieve further balance on the engineers 48:52 weight goal..
You can even see how the engine is Not mounted behind the shocks or shock towers...
**Which is found mostly on Front-Mid Engines like older Corvettes, Honda S2000's or even a MB SLR McLarens, where the engines are located behind the Front-Axles / Shock Towers
Originally Posted by Lexus PR
GEARBOX
• Lightning-quick Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) that always puts the driver in full control
• Six-speed ASG drives the rear wheels through a limited slip differential via torque tube for exceptional
drivetrain integrity
• Unique paddle-shift feeling, with the choice of seven gearshift speeds
• Transaxle layout over the rear axle results in an ideal 48:52 weight distribution for exceptional cornering
agility and high-speed controllability
• Ultra quick shifts – carried out in just 0.2 seconds – complemented by four driving modes – AUTO, SPORT,
NORMAL and WET for exceptional versatility
The V10’s explosive performance is managed by an equally advanced transmission. The LFA’s specifically developed all-new, six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) drives the rear wheels through a torquesensing
Limited Slip Differential, and is mounted in transaxle layout over the rear axle to achieve an optimal, 48:52 weight distribution.
While many believe that a 50:50 weight distribution is the most desirable for a high-performance sportscar, the perfect weight ratio for any vehicle is one that will allow it to live up to its full dynamic potential. With this in mind, the LFA’s development engineers aimed for a 48:52 weight distribution, a balance that combines the controllability and straight-line stability of a front-engine rear-drive layout with the handling dynamism and cornering agility of a mid-engine rear-drive platform.
Last edited by Joe Z; 10-27-10 at 11:23 AM.
10-27-10, 10:55 AM
#3045
Lexus Test Driver
Like Joe Z posted the LFA documentation that it is front-mid engined. Even if you look at pictures of the engine compartment, the engine is entirely behind the front axle as the strut towers are well in front of the engine and placed at the mid-point of the chassis as the cabin has been pushed back over the rear axle.