Lexus LFA with blue interior!

This photo is showing a different colour scheme, which I find very nice, and apparently there is no navi and  remote touch controller.

[Source: Lexus via The Lexus Enthusiast]

LFA in action - V10 engine at work!!!

First three production LFAs arrived in US - Part 3 of 3

More photos after the jump!

First three production LFAs arrived in US - Part 2 of 3

More photos after the jump!

First three production LFAs arrived in US - Part 1 of 3

On January 18, the first three production LFAs arrived in the US! As you can imagine, transporting the cars from Japan must be done in a special way. Each car arrives in its own container, which after going through the customs, is then delivered to a special facility in order to be unboxed.

Of course, the preparation needs time since wood chocks have to removed, the pallet has then to be taken out with the use of a forklift, and there are also other measures keeping the LFA secure, such as wheel straps which of course need to be removed.

After the car is carefully checked, it is loaded to a transporter in order to be delivered to the dealer.

Below are some facts as published by Kaizen Factor:

• Each LFAs are tested and driven by a Motomatchi Quality Control Engineer to ensure the highest quality compliance. A certificate is placed in each car with the engineer’s signature.
• Each LFA ships in its own clean container with a pink painted metal pallet designed specifically to secure the car during transport.
• Each LFA pallet is sent back to Japan after use to transport the next shipment of cars. 5 can be stacked at one time.
• The LFA is not covered in exterior plastic during transport. This is to ensure proper paint curing from the time it leaves the Motomachi Plant to its final destination.
• It takes about 7-10 days (weather permitting) for an LFA to ship from the port in Japan to the Port of Long Beach.
• All US bound LFAs will only go through Toyota’s facilities at the Port of Long Beach for de-vanning of the shipping container.
• Each LFA will be delivered by a special Lexus transporter to the new owner’s preferred Lexus dealer.
• This is the only Lexus or Toyota product that is delivered in this manner.
• LFA10 is the chassis code for the Lexus LFA. LFA10L is the designation for left hand drive models.
• Mobil 1 5w50 is the official oil for the Lexus LFA.

I have came across with some amazing photos of the three LFAs (via Kaizen Factor), so stay tuned for more posts coming!

More photos after the jump!

Lexus LFA's carbon fibre weave method

Behind the scenes of the 2011 Lexus "The Hard Way" - Chain commercial

2011 Lexus "The Hard Way" - Chain commercial

First production Lexus LFA

On December 15, 2010, production of Lexus LFA began at the Motomachi factory (earlier post). The LFA is produced by a total of 170 people, including the CFRP (earlier post) manufacturing staff. According to the press release, the CFRP technology, which was developed in-house, will be used in future Toyota and Lexus models!

The LFA is assembled by hand and consists of around 15,000 parts (a "normal" Lexus model consists of around 12,000 parts). Each LFA built will have over a 3,500-page work journal. This will be kept at Lexus and will be utilised for future reference in the case there will be an inquiry after the delivery of the vehicle.

Some more shots of orange LFA going to Detroit Auto Show

OK, so those are some more shots of the orange-ish LFA (earlier post), which will be presented at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: Lexus USA via KaizenFactor]

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]

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 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]