Throwback: LFA Art Car Celebrates a Decade of F Performance
When you have not one but two things to celebrate why not grab a supercar and have some fun?
A modern classic
It was more than six years ago when Lexus decided to end the production run of the LFA. So why is there this one-off creation popping up now? Well, that's actually a two-pronged answer as this project was commissioned in part to recognize the RC F GT3's competition in the 24 Hours of Spa and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the F portion of Lexus vehicles.
Article originally published on July 26th, 2018.
Speed translated into art
The upscale Japanese brand reached out to Portuguese artist Pedro Henriques to dress up the uber Lexus to show off at the endurance race. “My inspiration for this livery was the idea of fluidity present in contemporary life, where things are in constant movement and it’s hard to freeze anything. The lines in the drawings follow this feeling of going everywhere and never stopping; a progressive life. I wanted to reach an organic feeling by using handmade material and liquid lines in the elements spread through the car. By doing this I hope to express a feeling where the car becomes a less defined shape, in constant mutation in its movement," Henriques said.
It's still magic
The car beneath the organic pattern appears to be a Nürburgring edition model but otherwise, nothing else unique stands out on the car. I say this with respect as the LFA is still one amazing car with a rev-loving 4.8 V10 producing 552 horsepower. Remember, when this car came out, it was an exercise for the brand to show what it could do without limits. The automaker lost money on producing each of these cars but the principle was more important. I mean c'mon, 65% of the body is carbon fiber reinforced polymer and there's a carbon tub inside of the thing!
Staring down the P1, 918 Spyder, and LaFerrari
If you're in the market to get your hands on an LFA, there are still a few out in the wild. Infamously, last year there was that giant hullabaloo about the 12 examples that were still hanging out in American showrooms. However, if you'd prefer something a bit more updated, then the new GR Super Sport Concept hypercar that is said to be on the way. Details are scant but word on the street is that engineers will adapt tech from the TS050 endurance racer for the car. Power is rumored to come from a 2.4-liter hybrid assisted bi-turbo V6 that will produce a tire searing 986 horsepower!
Start your engines
The LFA art car will be on hand this weekend at 24 Hours of Spa where Emil Frey Lexus Racing Team will be behind the wheel of two RC F GT3s. "Taking into consideration the track of Spa suits our Lexus RC F GT3 very well with its fast corners, we should see a good performance," said Team Principal Lorenz Frey. "Spa is one of the toughest GT3 races taking place on probably the most spectacular race track there is and everyone in the team is really excited for our first 24 hours race with the Lexus."
The LFA will participate in the on-track parade before the race begins on Saturday.
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