Hell has frozen over. C&D Comparo; Lexus LFA vs Ferrari 599 HGTE (spoiler)
11-01-10 | 03:02 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Yes and exactly the point, there's enough of the SS today for those that still want one (shortages don't last forever).
11-01-10 | 03:54 PM
#33
Regardless of which Ferrari they compare the LFA to, i'm just happy they are comparing it. To come out on top of any Ferrari is a good start. It's progress. A few months ago, everyone and their mama was ragging on the LFA. Now it wins a comparo. What's next? Sainthood?
Well, they'd have to lower the price for that.
Well, they'd have to lower the price for that.
11-01-10 | 05:03 PM
#34
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,266
Likes: 2
From: Washington
They were still testing a pre-production car. If you pay attention to the article, it says they had to fly to europe, and got the cars from the UK. The only LFA in the UK is the one from Park Lane in London. So they've been handed the same LFA that's been around since 2009. It's got over 7000 km on the odometer too, as you saw in some of the pics of the article. 'Launch Control' probably isn't even finalized yet, and neither are the tires. Still, 3.6 to 60mph in the damp conditions and at a relatively high elevation points towards some pretty good numbers for the production LFA with perhaps better tires and a 'smoother' surface.
11-01-10 | 05:56 PM
#37
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,789
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From: so. cal
They were still testing a pre-production car. If you pay attention to the article, it says they had to fly to europe, and got the cars from the UK. The only LFA in the UK is the one from Park Lane in London. So they've been handed the same LFA that's been around since 2009. It's got over 7000 km on the odometer too, as you saw in some of the pics of the article. 'Launch Control' probably isn't even finalized yet, and neither are the tires. Still, 3.6 to 60mph in the damp conditions and at a relatively high elevation points towards some pretty good numbers for the production LFA with perhaps better tires and a 'smoother' surface.
11-01-10 | 06:46 PM
#38
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 5
From: NJ
The LFA is not just a grand tourer. It is more of a hardcore sports/performance car like the Italia, not a GT car like an DB9. If it was a grand tourer it would have a bigger displacement engine with more torque, not rev so high, and most likely heavier with more luxury features, smoother ride, quieter engine. Everything about the LFA aside from the engine layout is for maximum performance. The LFA is not even a great everyday car to drive around town like a GT car should as it reportedly has a pretty jerky transmission that only really shines during hardcore performance/track driving.
Saying the LFA is a grand tourer because the engine is in front is like saying a S2000 or RX-7 is a grand tourer because the engine is in front.
Although the 599 is Ferrari's GT car, it has the Ferrari DNA and high strung engine to hang with much harder edge cars and beat most GT cars.
I think a car like the LFA would be better compared to a more harder edged Ferrari like the 458 Italia even though their engine layouts are different.
I am not surprised that the LFA won though, although the 599 is a great performer I have never really been all that blown away with the 599 inside or out and it seems to be getting long in the tooth. They really should have given it the four circular taillamps instead of going with 2 which looks odd on it, great engine/transmission combo though.
Saying the LFA is a grand tourer because the engine is in front is like saying a S2000 or RX-7 is a grand tourer because the engine is in front.
Although the 599 is Ferrari's GT car, it has the Ferrari DNA and high strung engine to hang with much harder edge cars and beat most GT cars.
I think a car like the LFA would be better compared to a more harder edged Ferrari like the 458 Italia even though their engine layouts are different.
I am not surprised that the LFA won though, although the 599 is a great performer I have never really been all that blown away with the 599 inside or out and it seems to be getting long in the tooth. They really should have given it the four circular taillamps instead of going with 2 which looks odd on it, great engine/transmission combo though.
11-01-10 | 07:07 PM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
The Scagaletti is Ferrari's GT car and then the California.
The 599 is their flagship SPORTS CAR. It is so sporty they made the first GTO based on it in 20 years. The HGTE is the handling pack that really tightened things up and has gotten rave reviews all over. The GTO is on another level.
Not sure how anyone can say the LFA is a bad everyday car when that person hasn't ridden in it. It drives as good as a car can considering its a exotic with 20" wheels. There are plenty reviews with it driving around regular roads and reviewers say its great there.
C&D tested the Italia last month, with the R8, 911 Turbo and others. C&D did the right thing testing the LFA against the 599. Both are flagship carbon fiber beasts. Besides there have been Euro tests with the LFA and the 458 included.
The 599 is their flagship SPORTS CAR. It is so sporty they made the first GTO based on it in 20 years. The HGTE is the handling pack that really tightened things up and has gotten rave reviews all over. The GTO is on another level.
Not sure how anyone can say the LFA is a bad everyday car when that person hasn't ridden in it. It drives as good as a car can considering its a exotic with 20" wheels. There are plenty reviews with it driving around regular roads and reviewers say its great there.
C&D tested the Italia last month, with the R8, 911 Turbo and others. C&D did the right thing testing the LFA against the 599. Both are flagship carbon fiber beasts. Besides there have been Euro tests with the LFA and the 458 included.
11-01-10 | 07:32 PM
#40
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,266
Likes: 2
From: Washington
The 599 isn't carbon fiber though. Yet it still costs as much as the LFA, and it's not limited in it's numbers. This is a reason why C&D in another LFA article said the LFA was a 'bargain'. 500 examples at 375K~450k, yet the 599 GTO, 599 examples at at least 425K. On other boards, they feel the LFA should be compared to the GTO, but why? On ferrarichat they feel the LFA isn't a 'GT' and the 599 is. Just because it's heavy and has a F/R layout. That's wrong IMO. The LFA is more Luxurious, it's interior is much better. It has a bespoke engine, a noise that's arguably unequaled, and it's the first Japanese exotic/supercar. You know it's special and will retain it's value for years to come.
11-01-10 | 07:58 PM
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ferrari is still the pinnacle of exotic engineering. Ferrari motivates cars like the LFA to be made. I hope no one is leveraging a measly 1 point win over Ferrari in one test.
Both cars are spectacular! It is utterly amazing we can utter a Lexus in the same breathe as a Ferrari!
Both cars are spectacular! It is utterly amazing we can utter a Lexus in the same breathe as a Ferrari!
11-01-10 | 09:45 PM
#43
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 1
From: Alberta
You had to have given him a go....and he would have been obligated to run....don't disappoint us prime.
