The LFA was always going to make this list. It is arguably the only true supercar to come out of Japan. You see, a supercar isn't all about performance or looks. A supercar has got to be exclusive. The Lexus LFA, with its US $375,000 price tag and limited numbers is exactly that. So why on earth does the Lexus cost over three times the amount of a shiny, new Nissan GTR? Is it three times faster? Or three times better looking? No, it is a supercar within a class of its own.
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| Lightweight and a powerful V10 make the LFA very capable on the track. In fact, the LFA set the fastest laptime on the Top Gear test track - over 3 seconds faster than the four wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo |
When Toyota and its Lexus marque began the development of the LFA in 2000, they set out to create the ultimate supercar. Hence when they decided that the aluminium frame used in the early versions was too heavy, they scrapped the whole project and began from scratch. That time using carbon fibre. The LFA also has a cool retractable spoiler, that comes up at 80kmph and lets everyone know you're speeding. The thing that defines a supercar, other than the styling, is a big engine. A big V 12 is every Lamborghini's signature dish. A supercar needs BIG power and BIG noise. The LFA packs one of the best sounding engines ever.
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| Rumour is, Lexus fit this digital tacho, because a regular one couldn't keep up with how quickly the LFA accelerates. Either way, the white bit actually glows green telling you the perfect time to change gear. How cool is that?! |
The 4.8 liter V10 was co-developed by Yamaha and oh boy does it sound good! It's such a screamer! It's not all big noise either, the LFA has all the big numbers to back up all its shouting. 416kw get the LFA from 0-100kmph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of over 326kph. If that wasn't enough perfrormance, the LFA got a Nurburgring make-over in 2010. The Nurburging Package brings the car up to 420kw and a hefty US $445,000. The big changes were in the aerodynamic department. A fixed rear wing and a new front splitter got the Nurbrgring LFA around the Ring in 7:14 on September 2 2011. To put that time in perspective, it's 4 seconds quicker than a Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
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| Only 500 Nurbugring LFA will ever be built and will come only in glossy black, matte black, orange and whitest white |
The LFA is one of Japan's greatest supercars, if not by definition, Japan's greatest supercar. Its supercar performance is matched by supercar styling and certainly a supercar pricetag. Although a lot of people think the LFA is just an overpriced Lexus, they couldn't be any further from the truth. Lexus reinvented itself as a brand, with the LFA. The LFA put Japan on the map, with a car that could rival Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Mation and just about any other supercar automobile maker.
Stay tuned for part 3.
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