Inside Line has learned that the new Lexus supercar, the Lexus LF-A is going to start at over $200,000 when it is finally released.
A Lexus source in Japan recently unveiled to Inside Line that the LF-A could start at as high as $225,000, which makes it more expensive than a Ferrari F430. Insane?
The LF-A is powered by a 5.0L V10 that puts out an estimated 500 horsepower and the car has a top speed over 200mph. If you think $225,000 is a lot imagine how much the roadster version will go for.
Full Story: Inside Line
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Comments (27)
Wow that's ambitious.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | May 21, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on May 21, 2008 20:20
by the way the dollar is sliding, its almost affordable.
Posted by dork retard | May 21, 2008 9:10 PM
Posted on May 21, 2008 21:10
So that's like what, 10 Euros?
Posted by Tommy Boy | May 21, 2008 10:53 PM
Posted on May 21, 2008 22:53
Wow thats what we have to pay in oz anyway for a car like that
Posted by o | May 21, 2008 11:42 PM
Posted on May 21, 2008 23:42
Uhhhh, good luck with that, Lexus. Not planning on selling many, are we?
Posted by -A- | May 22, 2008 12:24 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 00:24
I'm sure it's performance will speak for itself.
If their 2-ton IS-F (5.0L V-8, 414hp/370lb. ft) can sprint to 60mph in 4.2sec and nearly match the 6.2L 451hp AMG C-sedan in the 1/4 mile...I'm sure the LF-A is going to have some ridiculous performance stats.
Posted by Noya | May 22, 2008 4:38 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 04:38
Well, I guess this marks the beginning of the end for Toyota. These cars will definitely be sold out... but if Toyota expands in this area (like they've done in every other price segment), we'll soon see cars right under $200k then a car at the $150k, then $100k... No one will buy them and Toyota will probably lose a ton of money. Toyota has a habit of not having only one halo car, or having like seven models leading up to their possible top vehicle. I wish they kept the Century as the most expensive Toyota ever made.
Posted by Jason | May 22, 2008 6:45 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 06:45
I think Toyota's market planning knows what they're doing. (Tundra and Sequoia excluded, because no one want's them) Otherwise they wouldn't be the largest manufacturer on earth.
I kind of thought this was going to be an R8 compeititor. But at that price it's far more.
I think Lexus will sell every one, for a while. Once Hollywood buys them up I'm not sure many other people will.
I just don't think people see Lexus as a Ferrari competitor. Even if it's 2x as fast(which it won't be) it'll never carry the same level of elitism as a Ferrari.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | May 22, 2008 7:13 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 07:13
so boring, talking about performance
Posted by lowest iq | May 22, 2008 7:15 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 07:15
this car doesnt ahve much going for it. Because you know when you think supercar lexus is the top of your list. The power its making isnt mind blowing hell honda ferarri lambo audi are able to pull that much power with smaller engines so it isnt what the ricers call effiecent. I dont think you can quote the isf quarter mile time as being amazing either as its slower then a say a mustang gt500 or even a lancer evolution which makes 120 less hp and the mustang with as the kids say terrible suspension. Lexus is going to have to make this car weigh like 10 pounds for it to even be competive in the performance scene and have more elegance then a aston martin which I just dont think it will be able to pull off.
Posted by unknown | May 22, 2008 9:15 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 09:15
i dont understand how the repacemnet fort he supra has to be 5 times more expensive than the supra?
Posted by dennisil | May 22, 2008 9:28 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 09:28
Has anyone in Japan read a US newspaper lately? People are losing jobs, the economy is in the shitter, and they are pushing a $225K Toyota? Some jerk off artists will buy it, but I think it will be a very small number. Hence the low production numbers.
Posted by Rich | May 22, 2008 9:55 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 09:55
The US market isn't as central as it once was... and in the supercar market I doubt the US was EVER that central (other than maybe Southern California).
The car looks like it's being aimed at the Aston Martin market (reminds me of the DB9), and that's going to be tough for them I think... performance is important but there's a LOT of other things required to play at that level.
Posted by Dave K | May 22, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 10:29
The car looks snazzy, no question, and probably goes like stink, but historically, when a manufacturer introduces a model in a price range far above thier normal line, it (generally) tanks. See the VW Phaeton for example. As Cheap Car Lover mentioned, it may be fast, but at that range, it's all about showing off, and nothing says Ferrari like, well, a Ferrari.
Posted by Jimb | May 22, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 10:47
Right... At $225,000 you need more than speed, handling, and performance.
It's got to have that special feel, the fine and intense level of craftsmanship that you see in high-end Ferrari's. They just have that extra something that your modded Lancer Evolution will never have.
There's more to cars that performance, and that's what you're paying for.
Posted by Joan of Arc | May 22, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 11:15
@ dennisil
This isn't the Supra replacement. Toyota has another car being designed to replace the Supra.
Posted by Kurios | May 22, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 11:22
Well... for MOST folks there's more to cars than performance, but there'll always be a few crazies (like me) who don't give a fig what the car looks like or how comfortable it is as long as it goes like stink and corners like it's been superglued to the road.
Posted by Dave K | May 22, 2008 11:27 AM
Posted on May 22, 2008 11:27
I'll take a Nissan GT-R Spec V and a Corvette ZR-1 instead of this.
Posted by Peter | May 22, 2008 2:17 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 14:17
Nice looking car but the price is a bit too much IMO for those numbers. Wonder what kind of gas mileage it gets? (j/k)
Hopefully when and if Acura can get a decent looking NSX out Toyota will realize it's over priced. Those are almost the same specs the NSX _should_ have, we just have to hope that Acura doesn't pull a TL or TSX with the NSX.
Posted by Gary | May 22, 2008 4:07 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 16:07
How does the replacement for the Supra end up costing 5x more than the last Supra?
Toyota has always done this. The last Supra was 5x more than the last one and the one before that was 2x more than the previous one.
Anyway, this isn't a "Toyota" badged car so it shouldn't be considered a Supra replacement. Toyota does, however, need to bring out a 2+2 seater "Sports" car similar to replace the Celica GTS and/or Supra that is affordable (under 40k-50k US) and has a 3.0 inline 6.
Toyota's and most other inline 6's are unbeatable. What is impressive is BMW also has one in its 1 and 3 series for obvious reasons.
Cmon Toyota, bring some excitement back. The Supra's are getting worn down and hard to find. Maybe I will just have to rebuild my 83 Supra. :-/ It will be back in style by next year the way things are looking latelly.
Posted by Subpra | May 22, 2008 5:33 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 17:33
The reason they priced it high because it keeps jerks like everyone from buying it. This is not Toyota, this is Lexus. Another Luxury division competing with the other luxury divisions out there.
Posted by 09 | May 22, 2008 6:47 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 18:47
@subpra
Agreed, though I pretty much would be happy if any car company made a cheap inline-6 2+2 that's RWD. The closest thing we're going to get in the foreseeable future is the new Hyundai RWD coupe. Though a turbo 4 definitely isn't as good as a twin turbo inline 6.
Posted by gm0n3y | May 23, 2008 11:04 AM
Posted on May 23, 2008 11:04
Hate it or love it. Lexus is not for everyone.
Posted by R3TNIAP | May 24, 2008 5:47 AM
Posted on May 24, 2008 05:47
Thank god the driver was Ok.
Oh, sorry I thought this was the article about this car CRASHING at Nurburgring, my bad.
Posted by ok | May 27, 2008 5:12 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 17:12
lexus thinks the car performs better than other supercars for its price.
it seems quite good after seeing it on a fifth gear episode.
Posted by adrian | May 28, 2008 8:21 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 08:21
This is not a supra replacment, and there is no replacement supra in development.
The only thing even close is the afforable rwd sports coupe project that is being jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru. That car will start at sub 20k.
Posted by Ron | July 10, 2008 8:59 PM
Posted on July 10, 2008 20:59
This is not a supra replacment, and there is no replacement supra in development.
The only thing even close is the afforable rwd sports coupe project that is being jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru. That car will start at sub 20k.
Posted by Ron | July 10, 2008 8:59 PM
Posted on July 10, 2008 20:59