Sneak peek at orange LFA going to Detroit Auto Show!!!

If you are planning to visit the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, which opens in a few days, then you will be able to see live this amazing orange LFA!!!

[Source: Lexus USA]

LFA's V10 engine wins "Best Engine of the Year" award by Evo UK!

Evo UK's January 2011 issue features the magazine's selections for 2010, including the "Best Engine of the Year". The winner? Lexus LFA's 4.8 L V10 engine!!!  Lexus managed to win over SLS AMG's V8, 458 Italia's V8, GT-R's V6, LP570-4 and R8's V10, Porsche GT2 RS and GT3 RS H6, Evora's V6 and Focus RS500's I5 engines.

Some of the comments regarding the LFA's V10 were "A mix of road and racing engines: Lexus LFA's utterly intoxicating 4.8 Liter V10.", "There is the noise it makes, for a start, a dense shriek like a V10 F1 car's", "Then there's the wall of torque from 5000 rpm to 9000 rpm and a strong thrust even before that", "Lighter than an average V6 and it even meets the Euro 5 emission standards", "It is hard to imagine that such an engine's career will be over when all the LFAs are built, given the love that has gone into it. We certainly hope not".

[Sources: Twitter, Toyota Nation - silver04rolla]

A glimpse of the new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

The latest issue of Best Car magazine has a very interesting cover showing all the important new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

So, here is what's coming (... I am missing a couple of Nissan sedan models):

• Daihatsu's small car based on the concept e:S (earlier post)

• Honda Fit - aka Jazz - wagon (earlier post)

• Honda Freed Hybrid 

• Honda Insight (facelift with design cues from  FCX Clarity)

• Lexus CT (looks like a spicy version... a CT-F perhaps?) 

• Lexus GS-F (earlier post)

• Mazda CX-5 (Mazda's variant of the Ford Kuga)

• Nissan Tiida - aka Versa - (earlier post)

• Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A (related posts)
  

• Toyota Prius V (related posts)

Production Lexus LFA delivered to Japanese dealership

Lexus has just started production of the LFA at the special Motomachi factory and this is one of the first LFAs delivered to a dealership in Japan.

Lexus LFA test on Goodwood (... ignore the guy and just listen to this engine!!!)

Toyota at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon is going to take place in January, opening on January 14, and we have the first info on what Toyota will display.

Toyota will display the Auris GT Concept (an Auris with TRD parts), as well as MODELLISTA options for the FJ Cruiser and the Ractis (aka Verso-S). Subaru will also exhibit an STi version of its own version of the latter one, the Trezia.

Additionally, the Toyota Sports EV-Twin will be there, an FR sports concept developed in-house voluntary by TES (Toyota Engineering Society).

The Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA that won its class in the 2010 Nurburgring 24 hours race will be displayed, as well as TOM'S version of LS460.

[Source: Response]

Bridgestone Potenza S001 to be fitted on Lexus LFA

Not really what you would call breaking news, but Lexus will fit Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres on the LFA. 265/35ZR20 (95Y) tyres will be fitted at the front and 305/30ZR20 (99Y) at the rear.

Lexus LFA scale model coming from AUTOart

LFA fans will be glad to know that at last, a scale model is coming soon from AUTOart. It is going to be in 1/18 scale and available in four colours: yellow, whitest white, red and mat black.

Pre-orders are available in Japanese online shops and the release date is end of February 2011. I am really tempted ordering one, but I will rather wait for the Kyosho one...

Lexus IS-F and Toyota Crown Athlete scale models by Kyosho

Following my last pre-orders (earlier post), I came across with some images of the Lexus IS-F 2008 (Black) and Toyota Crown Athlete 2008 (White) scale models by Kyosho. Of course, those are moke-ups, but you can get a feel...

Five Axis Lexus IS-F on track

Some new scale model pre-orders placed!

Further to my latest pre-order for an Advantage GT-R Concept scale model (earlier post), I have placed three new ones today. Note that the photos of the Civic Type R model are from moke-up, so the real thing will much more detailed. Hopefully, I should get all of them by the end of March.

• Honda Civic Type R 1999 EK9 (Championship White) by Interallied (インターアライド)
• Lexus IS-F 2008 (Black) by Kyosho
• Toyota Crown Athlete 2008 (White) by Kyosho

Be aware Germans, mighty Lexus GS-F on its way!

An "F" version of Lexus' GS model is on the works and according to R&T, the GS-F will come with a 5.0L V8 engine (a V10 engine has been speculated in the past) producing 465 hp! It is estimated that it will hit 100 km/h in less than 4.5 sec. The mighty Lexus should therefore be able to challenge the Germans, BMW's M5 and MB E63 AMG.

But performance doesn't come only from a powerful engine, low weight is also crucial. Thus, Lexus aims to achieve a weight of around 1700 kg by incorporating aluminium and carbon fibre parts. The GS-F won't hit the markets any time soon, but it could make its appearance as early as 2012.

[Source: Road&Track]

Lexus LFA Challenge video!!!

Lexus LFA using JSR adhesive for CFRP

Lexus LFA's chassis and bodywork are constructed using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), supplied by Toho Tenax, and bonding is achieved by using JSR's polyurethane adhesive. Despite the high cost, CFRP not only enables the car to have a much lower weight, but also provides high strength and rigidity. As a result, there is a very positive impact on the car's crash safety performance.

JSR's polyurethane adhesive has been selected for bonding due to its fatigue and impact resistance characteristics, as well as its peeling off adhesive power. Since the material can be selected to suit the application, ranging from soft to very hard, it contributes to design flexibility. This bonding method allows stress distribution and therefore, it provides high structural strength and improved durability.

[Source: Response]

Seat belt airbag to be fitted on Lexus LFA

The Lexus LFA will be the first car to come equipped with seat belt airbags, developed by Takata (タカタ). The airbags are inflated in the case of frontal or side collision and aim to reduce the forces applied to the occupants' chest. In the event of a side collision, the airbag helps to control the movement of the head.

[Source: Response]

Ferrari 599 HGTE vs Lexus LFA

... and a couple more LFA shots

[Source: Twitter]

Lexus LFA at LA Auto Show

The colour is not my cup of tea, but it still remains a masterpiece. Oh, with an amazing sound as well...!!!

LFAs spotted at Fuji Speedway

Two shiny LFAs were spotted at FSW by 7tune. What exactly was going on is a mystery and the only thing said by Toyota was... that it's a "test". The cars did occasional flying laps and for sure Toyota's engineers are fine tuning the car before the production starts in December. There are also rumours that a number of different grades will be available.

Anyway, no matter what exactly Toyota was testing, both cars look amazing...