What is it?
Lexus LF-A Concept
What's special about it?
The Lexus LF-A sports car concept displayed at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show has moved along another step from the car shown to us at the 2005 Detroit show. This remains only a concept, but Lexus is finally willing to talk about the high-revving, 500-horsepower V10 under the hood that is expected to help the car achieve a top speed of 200 mph.
The F-code designation reflects the intention of Lexus executives and engineers to create a subcategory of performance vehicles, much like BMW's M division or Mercedes-Benz's AMG. The "F" designation has been used within Toyota over the last 20 years to describe high-prestige "flagship" projects and indeed the original Lexus LS sedan was known as Flagship One, or F1. Now F-code vehicles are to become a separate marque within Lexus.
The LF-A concept itself remains the same kind of car we saw in 2005, a long, low front-engine car with rear-wheel drive. It's meant to be an exclusive grand touring car that embodies heritage as well as performance.
Lexus continues to describe its styling philosophy as "L-finesse," an esoteric combination of various styling notions such as "incisive simplicity" and "intriguing elegance." It's easy to think of L-finesse as psycho-babble, but instead it's a legitimate attempt to create an authentic Japanese approach to automotive style. L-finesse is meant to be artistic and unique, yet also intelligent and carefully made. Stylistic balance, not simple visual drama, is what Lexus is after.
As with Acura's new front-engine, rear-drive HSC concept car that is expected to replace the NSX, the LF-A reminds us that midengine sports cars are not on the product-planning map at Japanese car companies, or even anywhere else for that matter.
What's Edmunds' take?
For all the intriguing verbal description of L-finesse, this prestige car still looks like the love child of the last Toyota Supra and the latest Ford Mustang. It's not unattractive, but you'd never guess that it has the soul of a 200-mph car. — Michael Jordan
Lexus LF-A Concept
What's special about it?
The Lexus LF-A sports car concept displayed at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show has moved along another step from the car shown to us at the 2005 Detroit show. This remains only a concept, but Lexus is finally willing to talk about the high-revving, 500-horsepower V10 under the hood that is expected to help the car achieve a top speed of 200 mph.
The F-code designation reflects the intention of Lexus executives and engineers to create a subcategory of performance vehicles, much like BMW's M division or Mercedes-Benz's AMG. The "F" designation has been used within Toyota over the last 20 years to describe high-prestige "flagship" projects and indeed the original Lexus LS sedan was known as Flagship One, or F1. Now F-code vehicles are to become a separate marque within Lexus.
The LF-A concept itself remains the same kind of car we saw in 2005, a long, low front-engine car with rear-wheel drive. It's meant to be an exclusive grand touring car that embodies heritage as well as performance.
Lexus continues to describe its styling philosophy as "L-finesse," an esoteric combination of various styling notions such as "incisive simplicity" and "intriguing elegance." It's easy to think of L-finesse as psycho-babble, but instead it's a legitimate attempt to create an authentic Japanese approach to automotive style. L-finesse is meant to be artistic and unique, yet also intelligent and carefully made. Stylistic balance, not simple visual drama, is what Lexus is after.
As with Acura's new front-engine, rear-drive HSC concept car that is expected to replace the NSX, the LF-A reminds us that midengine sports cars are not on the product-planning map at Japanese car companies, or even anywhere else for that matter.
What's Edmunds' take?
For all the intriguing verbal description of L-finesse, this prestige car still looks like the love child of the last Toyota Supra and the latest Ford Mustang. It's not unattractive, but you'd never guess that it has the soul of a 200-mph car. — Michael Jordan
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