InsideLine roadtrip with LFA, GT2 and GT-R (merged threads)
#46
Lexus Test Driver
Yep. That is the #032 production LFA that was used in the driver development program. I think it still has low mileage on it. They did full track tests this morning. Dyno was done yesterday.
#50
Lexus Test Driver
I wonder if people would be surprised by the notion that the "highest ever revving production street engine" belongs to a Lexus.
#51
Lexus Connoisseur
MR F1 (I love that handle, BTW), didn't Car and Driver have a chart showing 75 HP less on their dyno? That's a huge variance, although it was on a Mustang dyno IIRC. However, this test shows that this particular motor is strong and common sense tells me it's hard to tweak a high-strung motor. If the LFA has 600 HP, it will show in Inside Line's upcoming drag and acceleration tests. I hope it, at the minimum, matches the Italia's times and smacks the GT-R in all tests. There's nothing more that I can't stand than a GT-R fan boy.
These numbers are probably true as I recalled that both the instructor and I had a hard time getting clean acceleration runs in this very same LFA at Infineon. We were losing tractions in 2nd and 3rd gears. They blamed the track surface, but perhaps LC was required to handle all this power?
This is the Black LFA#032 which will be running the streets at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach starting this Friday. You're going to find something different about this LFA this coming weekend as well as a homecoming from someone that has probably been around this track the most of any person out there.
Last edited by flipside909; 04-12-11 at 09:02 PM.
#52
Lexus Test Driver
You know Glendora Mountain Road. It's been the star of other videos and stories on IL in the past. Well, today we absolutely destroyed it in the LFA. Video after the jump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1hfF...layer_embedded
There are few cars on earth more rewarding on this road than an LFA. Faster? Yes. Scarier? Certainly. But more rewarding? No.
Here's what Road test editor Mike Monticello had to say about hammering the LFA on one of the world's most challenging driving roads:
"If the rest of this LFA road trip were to go bust for some reason, it wouldn't matter one bit to me. Why? Because we got to run Lexus' supercar up and down Glendora Mountain Road.
Hard.
Great road. Phenomenal car, and finally off the highway and its element. GMR's twisties showed off the LFA's phenomenal turn-in and roadholding, while its shrieking V10 rocketed the front-engine wonder with scary-fast speed. It's utter fun, but everything happens with the speed of a cracking whip. One hundred percent concentration is required at all times. The 4.8-liter V10 isn't big on torque, but it still has plenty of sauce to break the rear tires loose. Terrific fun, and then you remember you're sliding around an extremely rare $375,000 machine.
The front end is a little vague at times and the steering could offer a bit more weight, especially in lower-speed corners where the LFA will push a bit. But in general, this is a fantastic machine with which to tear up a two-lane mountain road. And man, I've never rev-matched revs on downshifts so well in my life. I'm awesome. Oh, wait.
One thing's for sure: That triple-outlet exhaust means you have absolutely no chance of sneaking up on anyone. Ever."
So put that in your fun pipe and smoke it.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 04-12-11 at 09:13 PM.
#54
Lexus Test Driver
Love the video of the LFA going up GMR.
Yes, I'm a big fan of the format. It allows for more information and attention to detail than a typical magazine's manufactured conclusive review. Like Chris Harris' reviews (esp. the video ones) it allows for more "reading between the lines" which is critical in car reviews to truly understand what the reviewers like and dislike about the car. Definitely draws me in as a reader as well.
Yes, I'm a big fan of the format. It allows for more information and attention to detail than a typical magazine's manufactured conclusive review. Like Chris Harris' reviews (esp. the video ones) it allows for more "reading between the lines" which is critical in car reviews to truly understand what the reviewers like and dislike about the car. Definitely draws me in as a reader as well.
#55
After driving the LFA up and down a twisty mountain road the author (Mike Monticello) sounds like a kid on Christmas morning ...and that's exactly how I'd expect him to be. Well done Lexus
#57
#58
Lexus Test Driver
I will post up later on today details.
LFA ran a 11.6@124 mph. They claim LFA has no launch control (what?) so they did the old flawed neutral dropping.
They did a head to head drag race of GT2 RS and LFA and they both were neck and neck all the way through 1/4 mile with LFA slightly ahead.
LFA also pulled a 75.2 mph slalom speed.
LFA ran a 11.6@124 mph. They claim LFA has no launch control (what?) so they did the old flawed neutral dropping.
They did a head to head drag race of GT2 RS and LFA and they both were neck and neck all the way through 1/4 mile with LFA slightly ahead.
LFA also pulled a 75.2 mph slalom speed.
#59
Lexus Connoisseur
Looks like IL doesn't know how to use LC so they made stuff up along the way:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ch-an-lfa.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTL9VPxuC_w
Technically, there's no launch control in the Lexus LFA. That doesn't mean they didn't give us a few pointers for how to get the best 0-60 time.
And then we tried a few methods of our own. Jacquot shows you how to do it should you ever end up in an LFA and need to get going very, very quickly.
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ch-an-lfa.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTL9VPxuC_w
Originally Posted by Edmunds IL
Technically, there's no launch control in the Lexus LFA. That doesn't mean they didn't give us a few pointers for how to get the best 0-60 time.
And then we tried a few methods of our own. Jacquot shows you how to do it should you ever end up in an LFA and need to get going very, very quickly.
Last edited by flipside909; 04-13-11 at 01:38 PM. Reason: 2012 Lexus LFA Road Trip: How to Launch an LFA April 13, 2011
#60
Lexus Connoisseur
I will post up later on today details.
LFA ran a 11.6@124 mph. They claim LFA has no launch control (what?) so they did the old flawed neutral dropping.
They did a head to head drag race of GT2 RS and LFA and they both were neck and neck all the way through 1/4 mile with LFA slightly ahead.
LFA also pulled a 75.2 mph slalom speed.
LFA ran a 11.6@124 mph. They claim LFA has no launch control (what?) so they did the old flawed neutral dropping.
They did a head to head drag race of GT2 RS and LFA and they both were neck and neck all the way through 1/4 mile with LFA slightly ahead.
LFA also pulled a 75.2 mph slalom speed.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/6307595-post27.html
I really think Lexus did not want them using LC to save the transmission knowing they would probably over use it and destroy the trans. Afterall, this car needs to stay driveable for years to come.