Lexus LF-A Roadster

Lexus LF-A Roadster

Lexus LF-A hybrid supercar picture gallery

We got to see the Lexus LF-A concept at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. And catch a few eyes it definitely did. The new design philosophy visible in the LF-A was called L-Finesse by Lexus.

While the initial information was that it would be a V8 powering this supercar, the latest rumors are that the LF-A would be powered by a hybrid engine. The V8 would be there, but there would be an electric motor too - and the specifications for that is not available yet.

The V8 would be a 5 litre engine producing 435 bhp. The power distribution and how big a role the electric motor would play is unknown yet. Well, a hybrid supercar is in some ways a little late to the party - especially when an all-electric supercar (?), The Tesla Electric Roadster, has just been launched.

Anyway, top speed of the LF-A is expected to be in excess of 200 mph, and the 0-60 acceleration time would be under 4 seconds. It is nine inches shorter than the Porsche 911 Turbo, and at 48 inches, almost the same height as a Ferrari F430.

Lexus believes that the V8 would help them bring Toyota's Formula One experience to the supercar. The hybrid LF-A might make its appearance at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

With supercar good-looks, the V10 LF-A has methodically marched from concept, to prototype, to imminent-super-secret production model, to endangered species list. The main hurdle seems to be the $225,000 cost which Toyota views as prohibitively expensive and unprofitable. Which is a cop-out of course. Regardless of the economy, there seems to always be an inexhaustible flow of wealthy buyers IF you have something worthy of their attention. The real question is whether Lexus is ready to produce a supercar.

Though Toyota maintains that the LF-A will remain only a development platform they are certainly parading it around like the next big thing, including a sighting by myself at the U.S. Open a couple of weeks ago. The “F” logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle’s status as a part of the “F” special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process.

Compared to the coupe concept that was introduced last year, the LF-A Roadster features a number of design differences including reshaped headlights, a new front fascia, modified side skirts and air intakes, and a somewhat reshaped trunk. The LF-A Roadster is still based on the same lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which maintains strength and rigidity even in topless form. Like its coupe sibling, the LF-A Roadster is also powered by a high-revving 5 liter V10 engine capable of more than 500 horsepower and speeds greater than 200 mph. It is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what engineers refer to as a front-mid configuration controlled by paddle shifters. The LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing. The rear is also marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car’s two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster’s aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells.

Lexus Concept Interior

While there’s still no definitive sign of a production version of a Lexus LF-A supercar, admirers can only hope that Lexus sees the need to having a high performance, limited production supercar in the company stable.

2010 Lexus ES 350

With ruminations on an improvement of economy, many car buyers are looking to mid-range and entry-level luxury cars. The benchmark in the category has long been the Lexus ES 350, and though 2010 brings a few new competitors, Lexus is keeping pace with updated styling and features.

The Lexus ES 350 debuts revised styling, new luxury amenities and the all-new telematics system, Lexus Enform™ and Safety Connect™, for 2010. Newly standard rear seat-mounted side airbags bring the number of airbags in the ES 350 to 10.

The powertrain remains the same with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 272 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends the drive to the road, and features manual shift capability.

2009 Lexus GS 450h

The Toyota GS 450h is equipped with a unique hybrid powertrain designed especially for the rear-wheel-drive cars. The system consists of a 3.5-litre V6 internal combustion engine that works on petrol, and a permanent-magnet electric auxiliary motor. Combined, these two engines produce more than 300 horsepower and make the car run as with a 4.5-litre powertrain while ensuring fuel efficiency of a 2-litre engine.

It takes the car only 5.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour. The car is equipped with EPS with Variable Gear Ratio Steering, air conditioner, heated/ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, rear side air-bags, 18-inch alloy wheels etc.

2010 Lexus IS250C

The new Lexus IS 250C, which will go on sale this summer, combines the sharp styling of the IS saloon range with open-top engineering ingenuity. The result is top-down driving pleasure with uncompromised dynamic performance.

True to Lexus’s legendary quality and attention detail, the new IS 250C has been engineered to achieve excellent aerodynamics, torsional rigidity, NVH levels and safety performance in both coupe and convertible configurations.

The IS 250C shares its 204bhp (208 DIN hp) 2.5-litre V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission with the IS 250 saloon. It is styled to minimise wind turbulence when driving with the roof stowed, while extensive revisions to the body structure and suspension provide a high level of torsional rigidity.

2010 Lexus IS Convertible

The all-new 2010 Lexus IS 350C and IS 250C hard-top convertibles give Lexus a coupe and convertible in the entry luxury segment for the first time. The IS C models combine the expressiveness of a convertible with the athletic styling of a coupe.

The Lexus IS convertible models feature the same powertrains as the IS sedans. The IS 350C's 3.5-liter V6 delivers exhilarating performance with outstanding 306 horsepower at 6,400 RPM along with 277 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. The IS 250C's 2.5-liter V6 engine has a great combination of fuel efficiency and performance. The IS 250C's V6 produces 204 horsepower at 6,400 RPM and 185 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Both engines utilize aluminum cylinder blocks and heads, while employing dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), which controls timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts.