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cali240sxdrifter · 03-08-2006, 12:24 AM

Report: Toyota Set to Launch Lexus $170,000 Supercar in 2008

Date posted: 03-06-2006

TOKYO — Toyota has secretly approved plans to put its sensational 200-mph Lexus LF-A supercar in the market, according to a report in Tokyo.

Japan's media are reporting that Toyota will launch a luxury sports car for the Lexus brand embracing F1 technology in fall 2008. The reports also say Toyota is pitching hard to bring the Japanese F1 Grand Prix to its newly refurbished Fuji Speedway track, which will help the company drive home the car's F1 connection.

The supersleek LF-A, as shown so far, has a 5.0-liter, front-mounted V10. However, with F1 engine regulations switching to V8, it raises the question whether Toyota will make that change on the LF-A as well. The fact that Honda is preparing a new V10 NSX for 2009 suggests Toyota will stick with the V10 so it won't lose out in the image war, and at the same time to hold firm to the LF-A's premium status.

The LF-A sticker is expected to be just under $170,000, a bargain by supercar standards.

Honda's contract to hold the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka expires this year. This has not escaped the attention of Toyota, which will be lobbying hard to stage the race at its own Fuji Speedway, near Tokyo. Honda, however, seems determined to fight to keep its F1 date. That raises the possibility of two F1 races in Japan, which sounds exciting!

What this means to you: Toyota, with cash to burn, puts the pedal to the metal with F1, both on the circuit and the road.

WILDACEX187 · 03-08-2006, 12:38 AM

170000? thats so far out of reach for some of us. hmm seems like the new gt-r will be falling behind on this one.

AkademikONE · 03-08-2006, 12:48 AM

^
Well, the GT-R is going to be $100,000 less than the LFA.

WILDACEX187 · 03-08-2006, 01:01 AM

so how much will the new nsx be going for? no more crowning title for the gt-r in japan?

m072514 · 03-08-2006, 10:46 AM

...and only 6 cylinders? c'mon we couldve at least gotten a TT V8. that woulda been badass...

*exitspeed* · 03-08-2006, 10:48 AM

Hmmm, I can't wait to see a more production ready version. Between the NSX, GTR and this, things are going to get interesting.

*trsilvias13* · 03-08-2006, 01:03 PM

how much will the new nsx will be going for?

WILDACEX187 · 03-08-2006, 01:11 PM

imagine that the nsx type r in japan is like around 70 grand if im not mistaken. add 4 more cylinders and maybe add 40 more grand

santacruisin · 03-08-2006, 01:14 PM

What's with the turbines in the rear of the car. IT looks like it has two freakin jet engines. THis thing have afterburners or what?

As far as bargains for performance go the corvette zo6 still has all these new Japanese supercars dead to rights. On the JDM side, once Smoky Nagata gets his hands on the new GT-R there won't be any competition from the other manufacturers regarding performance to price. Whatever the case, it is interesting to see the new gen of top tier JDM vehicles.
Who has a link to the new NSX?

wootwoot · 03-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Yes, the z06 has eliminated all competition to these cars that are not even manufactured yet...Beats them in everyway possible....What?.............
But really, when the fuck are the car companies going to cater to the poorish persons again? We need replica of the 240sx, of the old Celica; Honda could do a modifed s2000 to reach into the lower market, Mazda needs another rx7 or a Miata with a hatch. AR

I still think its ugly too.

Neejay · 03-09-2006, 10:04 AM

Yeah, ugly to me. And I agree, when ARE they gonna start making affordable cars for the average auto industry? Lame.

And those turbines in the rear under the lights...WTF?

wootwoot · 03-09-2006, 10:15 AM

^^^^ I have no idea what they do but if you peak at Lmp1(I think I got the name right..) cars in LeMans they have a similar set up

Neejay · 03-09-2006, 10:19 AM

*drift freaq* · 03-09-2006, 10:31 AM

that car looks ugly. IMHO. You guys miss several points on the Nissan front. First off after adjustment for inflation the 350z today falls clearly into the price catagory as our 240sx's did back in 1990. Yup a 350z at is current pricing would have gone for the same price as the 240sx did. So its an amazing bang for the buck bargain. Now that aside Nissan has planned to do another Silvia and it has long been discussed here. We will see it in Japan and maybe here when they are ready.
On the GTR front, you all fail to realize that the GTR gots its fame from being a Giant killer. It was one third the price of a lot super cars, yet it could with a little tuning spank them, don't doubt this will be the situation with the New GTR.
Being a RB powered car owner, I can vouch for the fact that Nissan has routinely underated their horsepower figures on these cars. If Nissan is saying the new GTR will be a 500 HP twin turbo 3.2V6 expect it to put out somewhere in the possible range of 600HP with some tuning.
The current VQ 3.0 is the darling of Nismo right now as far as engines go. It brought home the JGTC title for Nissan in 2004 in a R34 in DETT setup. Do not underestimate the potential of a destroked twin turbo v6. I would be willing to bet the GTR will spank the Lexus for almost one third of its proposed price.

*OptionZero* · 03-09-2006, 10:47 AM

No offense...but "with a little tuning" doesn't mean much, especially since GT-R mods aren't cheap by any stretch. The potential is undoubtedly there, but it's not like the GT-R is an "every man" car.

I could make similar claims about a simple 911 Turbo, with "a little tuning", it could spank anything

also, by a pure monetary conversion the 350z's current base price tag of $26ish thousand may fall in line with the approximately 20k price tag of the 240sx back in the day...but the 350z is currently the top of the line rwd nissan sports car, whereas the 240sx was the entry level rwd sports car with the 300zx as the top dawg in the lineup.

not trying to rain on the nissan parade here, but that whole post strikes me as waaay nissan-centric, especially since nissan hasn't even said what the GT-R's usdm powerplant will be exactly (3.2? 3.7? v8?)

sciamop · 03-09-2006, 11:04 AM

Toyota sucks soooooooo bad.

Soon, Toyota will be the world's largest auto maker. Too bad all of their cars are BORING AS HELL. Here's a list of their 2-door 'sporty' cars:

Yaris: Weird looking and underpowered. If they dropped the 180hp 1.8L from the now-defunct Celica GTS in, it would be their only REAL performance car.
Scion tc: 160hp 2.4L FWD coupe. YUCK.
Solara: A Supra for middle-aged female real-estate agents that like tennis.
Tacoma X-Runner: Wow! It has a 240hp V6, RWD and a 6-speed MANUAL transmission. Wait, it's a truck. Grrrr.

How about burning up some of that cash with a car that has Z06 levels of performance for 350Z prices? How about a 2950lb swoopy 2-door RWD coupe with their new 3.5L V6 bored-out to 4.0L + performance-tuned hybrid system. They could call it 'Supra' or something like that...

Also, has anyone read about the new Camry? It is chock full of electronic nannies that YOU CAN'T TURN OFF! So much for actually using that sweet 3.5L 260hp V6!

With this sort of logic, LFA will make 900hp but you'll only be able to use 115hp at any given time.

Screw Toyota. The 2007 (or 2008) GTR will shit all over the LFA at less than half the price!

For the $170K price tag, I'd opt for a Porsche GT2 with some light mods. The LFA will go the way of the NSX -- great technical wonder, but the people that can actually afford it will buy Porsches and Ferraris.

not trying to rain on the nissan parade here, but that whole post strikes me as waaay nissan-centric, especially since nissan hasn't even said what the GT-R's usdm powerplant will be exactly (3.2? 3.7? v8?)

Carlos Ghosn actually gives a shit about performance. Toyota/Lexus Marketing Department cares about your 'lifestyle' -- The LFA will be a dud. Lexus should focus their efforts on the logistics of putting a Starbucks on wheels and sell that to their 'lifestyle enthusiasts'.

santacruisin · 03-09-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciamop

Toyota sucks soooooooo bad.

Soon, Toyota will be the world's largest auto maker. Too bad all of their cars are BORING AS HELL. Here's a list of their 2-door 'sporty' cars:

Screw Toyota.

Yeah it sucks there ain't much good stuff comin out of Toyota nowadays, but I can't hate em cuz of what they gave us already. Hopefully Toyota will make enough money with their bread and butter cars to bring us something special in the future. Until then we got these old platforms to work with...just as many if not more than what nissan gave us.
Its funny but the sporty Toyota's are not always coupes. Don't forget these gems of days past...

I'm still wondering, what the hell is up with those rear turbines??!!??!!

nismeaux · 03-09-2006, 01:08 PM

If I had to guess, I'd say a couple of radiators are mounted in front of those openings and the things that look like turbines are electric fans.

sideview_180sx · 03-09-2006, 01:36 PM

Toyota is doing good because they a catering to the widest spctrum. Or niche (performance market) is so miniscule, they let the aftermarket companies have it. Yet with Toyota releasing the scion (you-build-it) setup. Once again they have gotten the "aftermarket scene". Not everyone is wanting 400whp and super stiff ride. Most of the aftermarket is comprised of being lowered, wheels, and system.

What is really funny is that almost all of toyota's current line-up is literally the society in cali.

I would still take a porsche tho IMO, because you can bet on them day in and day out. and parts aren't ferrari priced and long waiting times. Plus a healthy aftermarket exists for the street and track owners.

Jcb890 · 03-09-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciamop

Toyota sucks soooooooo bad.

Soon, Toyota will be the world's largest auto maker. Too bad all of their cars are BORING AS HELL. Here's a list of their 2-door 'sporty' cars:

Yaris: Weird looking and underpowered. If they dropped the 180hp 1.8L from the now-defunct Celica GTS in, it would be their only REAL performance car.
Scion tc: 160hp 2.4L FWD coupe. YUCK.
Solara: A Supra for middle-aged female real-estate agents that like tennis.
Tacoma X-Runner: Wow! It has a 240hp V6, RWD and a 6-speed MANUAL transmission. Wait, it's a truck. Grrrr.

How about burning up some of that cash with a car that has Z06 levels of performance for 350Z prices? How about a 2950lb swoopy 2-door RWD coupe with their new 3.5L V6 bored-out to 4.0L + performance-tuned hybrid system. They could call it 'Supra' or something like that...

Also, has anyone read about the new Camry? It is chock full of electronic nannies that YOU CAN'T TURN OFF! So much for actually using that sweet 3.5L 260hp V6!

With this sort of logic, LFA will make 900hp but you'll only be able to use 115hp at any given time.

Screw Toyota. The 2007 (or 2008) GTR will shit all over the LFA at less than half the price!

For the $170K price tag, I'd opt for a Porsche GT2 with some light mods. The LFA will go the way of the NSX -- great technical wonder, but the people that can actually afford it will buy Porsches and Ferraris.

not trying to rain on the nissan parade here, but that whole post strikes me as waaay nissan-centric, especially since nissan hasn't even said what the GT-R's usdm powerplant will be exactly (3.2? 3.7? v8?)

Carlos Ghosn actually gives a shit about performance. Toyota/Lexus Marketing Department cares about your 'lifestyle' -- The LFA will be a dud. Lexus should focus their efforts on the logistics of putting a Starbucks on wheels and sell that to their 'lifestyle enthusiasts'.

i agree with most of what you said except the part about creating a Z06-like performance-wise car for 350z prices... thats never going to happen and pretty assinine, but i agree with most of your other comments.

sciamop · 03-09-2006, 04:29 PM

i agree with most of what you said except the part about creating a Z06-like performance-wise car for 350z prices... thats never going to happen and pretty assinine, but i agree with most of your other comments.

It's a nice pipe dream anyway, right?

Jcb890 · 03-09-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciamop

i agree with most of what you said except the part about creating a Z06-like performance-wise car for 350z prices... thats never going to happen and pretty assinine, but i agree with most of your other comments.

It's a nice pipe dream anyway, right?

definately. don't get me wrong, i'd love a Z06 for $500, but it aint gonna happen unfortunately

wootwoot · 03-09-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nismeaux

If I had to guess, I'd say a couple of radiators are mounted in front of those openings and the things that look like turbines are electric fans.

Why would the radiator be in the back of an FR? I just imagine its aerodynamic related

I just want a cheapish car that is FUN to drive. Mid 14's is fast enough for the street

nismeaux · 03-10-2006, 07:14 AM

ah, it's FR... thought MR from the pic... pwned by reading

*edit* Although, after looking at pics of the front, the front openings are really small, and there are ducts behind the rear quarter windows and in front of the rear wheels. Maybe they did put radiators in the back for aerodynamic or other reasons.

Picture of the front at http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-20...-1600x1200.jpg

WILDACEX187 · 03-10-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nismeaux

ah, it's FR... thought MR from the pic... pwned by reading

*edit* Although, after looking at pics of the front, the front openings are really small, and there are ducts behind the rear quarter windows and in front of the rear wheels. Maybe they did put radiators in the back for aerodynamic or other reasons.

Picture of the front at http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-20...-1600x1200.jpg

hmm that doesnt look like 170k to me

*drift freaq* · 03-10-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

No offense...but "with a little tuning" doesn't mean much, especially since GT-R mods aren't cheap by any stretch. The potential is undoubtedly there, but it's not like the GT-R is an "every man" car.

I could make similar claims about a simple 911 Turbo, with "a little tuning", it could spank anything

also, by a pure monetary conversion the 350z's current base price tag of $26ish thousand may fall in line with the approximately 20k price tag of the 240sx back in the day...but the 350z is currently the top of the line rwd nissan sports car, whereas the 240sx was the entry level rwd sports car with the 300zx as the top dawg in the lineup.

not trying to rain on the nissan parade here, but that whole post strikes me as waaay nissan-centric, especially since nissan hasn't even said what the GT-R's usdm powerplant will be exactly (3.2? 3.7? v8?)

No offense here either but here goes....

Ok statement one, a little tuning, ya a little tuning, twin turbo's hmm? Hey I can put a boost controller on that? Wow !! Thats going to allow me to tune more power out of the engine. Upgraded injectors? wow more fuel flow!! Drop a computer on it ? Hmmm more tuning!! Thats called a little tuning.

Ok on to your next statement!
GTR is not a everymans car, ya did you miss reading comp 101 you think that Lexus LFA is going to be a everymans car?? Hmmmm that is what the thread was about. Gee last time I checked a everymans car did not cost 170k.

Now for your last statement, you either forgot Nissan history or don't realize it. 240z was considered entry level in its day, adjusted for inflation it would be the same price of a 350z today. Nissan even said they wanted the 350z back to its roots and though it may be considered or stated as top of the line it still very much falls into the entry level catagory for sports cars, and is considered that in todays current sports car marketplace.
Ya your going to say Miata,right? Miata is one of the most affordable entry level sports cars. Evo's and STI's though catagorically do not qualify in the same sports car catagory as a 350z or a Miata so lets just not go there.
Nissan centric hell ya!! dude this is a Nissan forum last time I checked. If your not a tried and true Nissan lover maybe you should just sell your 240 oh wait? didn't you already do that and buy a Miata?

Nissan is and has been Japan's premier sports car company for years,its known as that in Japan. I know all you haters want to rain on the V6's but from a automotive standpoint they are excellent engines, and yes Nissan has stated they were going to use a V6 in the next GTR. Oh wait now your crying because its not a RB, Two points here while RB's are great they are technology. On top of that the first RB's were good but not an all out race engine out of the box like a RB26 was.
You are going to and actually already seeing that evolution going on with the VQ series in Japan. Oh wait you forgot, didn't you? The VQ30 is Nismo's main engine platform these days for performance and the won the JGTC with one in a R34. Oh wait didn't I already tell you that? Sorry I had to reiterate it. Oh ya doubt that last statement its on Nissans and Nismo's mission statement about current performance engines on the web.

*OptionZero* · 03-10-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote: