Autoblog: LF-A Will Never See Production
Autoblog trolled the Nürburgring and dug up some murky information on the Lexus LF-A:
…members of the testing and development crew who have been putting the car though its paces in Germany, as well as test drivers from rival Honda and Nissan crews, have told Autoblog that the LF-A is not destined for the showroom, and will remain only a development platform.
No reasons were given, but we can think of a couple. How many people are willing to part with nigh on a quarter of a million bucks for a Toyota/Lexus?
Actually, one ‘Ring test driver didn’t mind going on the record with his opinion. Former Nissan racer, NSX development driver and Nurburgring legend Motoharu “Gan-san” Kurosawa reckons, “Toyota are good at making money, but they’re no good at making sports cars.”
True or not, this doesn’t really push me in either direction. I’m not really swayed by anonymous sources that could just be talking out their necks. Still, with the massive upheaval of the US auto industry, there has to be some trepidation in any new car release, especially something so extravagant as the LF-A. In the three years since it was first introduced, a lot has changed, and I’m sure there’s a number of initiatives being reevaluated.
But really, “How many people are willing to part with nigh on a quarter of a million bucks for a Toyota/Lexus?” How tired is that? There may be some issues, but I doubt sales are one of them.
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August 29th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
This car better come out soon or I am taking my business somewhere else. More then likely Porsche.
Christ took them almost 19 years to come out with a proper sports sedan, the IS-F. Guess at this pace we need to wait another 20-50 years to see a supercar from them. What a damn shame.
Honestly Toyota / Lexus need to start producing newer versions of their cars quicker lets say every 3 years instead of 5-8 years. They complain that they are declining in sales, NO DUH you had the same model on the market for 8 god damn long years! MOVE IT ALREADY.
I WANTED the LF-A 2 YEARS AGO!
August 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I don’t think it will take another 20 years to work up to the LF-A. Say it took 19 years for the IS-F (although I’m guessing development was around 2-5 years), the technology etc., the engineers, the initiative is now in place from that first vehicle to produce more F-cars. Additionally, I think it would be a good idea to have a consistent model cycle, 5-6 years or so. Toyota brand vehicles IIRC are on a shorter cycle, Lexus models are built to last longer.
This report is interesting, and kinda similar to the ‘SC cancelled’ report in that it is speculative and based on unnamed sources.
Meanwhile there is another report out there that the IS will offer a convertible version only (no coupe for who knows why?) at the Paris Auto Show.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Would 1-2 extra years work for Lexus? If they introduced the next generation SC as the LF-A but with aluminum instead of carbon fiber, it should give them enough time to perfect the car…and at the same time, the public’s interest would be brought back.
As I’ve said before, if Lexus would like a true uncontroversial halo car, they should incorporate their hybrid technology into the car. (A pure non-hybrid would work since the LF-A is gonna have the F badge on it…but people are gonna criticize Lexus for being hypocritical.)
Btw, have you guys seen how short the LF-A racing prototype’s suspensions were? What is Lexus gonna do to make it at least somewhat comfortable?