Lexus has been working on its LF-A supercar for quite sometime. It originally appeared as a concept, which was eventually approved for production...well now things may have changed.
Lexus has been tight lipped on the actual production date for its new supercar and recently it was revealed that the car would cost upwards of $225,000 once it ever reached showrooms. On top of that even at over $200 thousand bucks...Toyota would still not make a profit on the LF-A. Well now there are rumors that Toyota has killed plans for the car. Members of the testing and development crew that are testing the car in Germany recently revealed that the car is not destined for the showroom...it's only being used as a development platform.
There are many reasons why Toyota may have decided to kill the car, including the insane price, lack of profit and also many people may not be willing to pay that much for a Toyota/ Lexus.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Lexus LF-A is Going to Start at Over $200K!
Comments (15)
allright a step in good direction, now get more realistic Toyota and bring back the more sensible (and demanded) Supra
Posted by SVT | August 28, 2008 2:31 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 14:31
The last Supras weren't in demand, so they'd obviously have to change the formula if they brought it back.
Posted by JB | August 28, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 14:50
The last Supras are now in demand...it's hard to get a used one for cheap...especially if it has been modified in any way. When they were new they were definitely lusted over...but just like the LF-A...unaffordable for the people that wanted them most....young adults. Too bad too...the LF-A profile shot above is gorgeous, at least in my eyes.
Posted by Mike M | August 28, 2008 3:50 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 15:50
What's the problem with Toyota? Why they seem to be so afraid to put sport cars in their line-up? Saturn now have a younger and sportier image than Toyota!!! Even Cadillac have a sportier attitude.
Toyota have now lost many of their young enthousiasts, let's get out the few that remains!
Now that you are in F-1, the mecca of motorsport, and in NASCAR, the Superbowl of car racing, do something!
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2008 6:56 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 18:56
The problem with this car was the cost. This car would have failed anyway they just don't have the street cred for this type of car with the folk that could drop the coin.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | August 28, 2008 8:24 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 20:24
Man they have been out of it for too long now. You would think they would use TRD to help them develop a powerful DOHC 4 like in the old MR2 but newer. I don't get it.
Anyway, I couldn't wait any longer and bought an STI.
Posted by Subpra | August 28, 2008 9:52 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 21:52
they probably killed the project because it cant compete with the current bad ass of the japanese market.
Posted by TrainRekS | August 28, 2008 10:34 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 22:34
"Current bad ass of the jap market"????
What the hell are you talking about?
The NSX? What other Jap car company is there other than Honda/Acura? And I wasn't aware that there were any asian super cars at this point....
Something tells me the LF-A supercar would make a Civic Type R rice rocket piss itself....
Posted by Brian | August 29, 2008 12:12 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 00:12
I don't see why they didn't start working on a rip-off of the Z (and call it a Supra) as soon as they saw it was a success. While of course it wouldn't make money like the Camry/Corolla, at least they would have a sports car in their lineup. I mean the 3.5L in the IS350 massaged for a little more power would be perfect for a Z competitor.
Posted by Noya | August 29, 2008 12:37 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 00:37
could it be, would it be because Toyota is buying the Viper brand?
Would make sense to build these cars in the US. Biggest market and cheap labour/dollar.
Posted by lowest iq | August 29, 2008 2:31 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 02:31
@Brian:
More than likely TrainRekS is talking about the fastest road car ever built in Japan, the Nissan GT-R (and one of the fastest production cars ever around the Nurnburgring). And he's right. Toyota would have a problem and look bad if they tried to compete with the GT-R (performance wise, as well as price wise since the GT-R costs roughly US$70,000). The GT-R V-spec promises to be even a heap faster (2009/2010 release)
The price is probably even the only reason why people don't consider the GT-R a supercar ;)
Posted by KoenigseggCCX | August 29, 2008 2:57 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 02:57
@Brian
the GTR is proboably what he meant.
how did Nissan make such a perfect car at that price thatToyota can't compeat even for 2X the price? thats just weird,
Posted by Dennisil | August 29, 2008 7:48 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 07:48
If Toyota cancelled plans for their FT-HS/ Supra because of our slowing economy, then why bother with Lexus having a sports car? No one will pay 200+ thousand dollars for a Lexus no matter what.
Posted by Saheed | August 29, 2008 4:16 PM
Posted on August 29, 2008 16:16
@KoenigseggCCX:
The LF-A outperformed the GT-R V spec at the ring already. The unofficial time was 7:24. That is better than the GT-R and Corvette ZR1. Interestingly missing from the torque report is that the Viper ACR has an official lap time of 7:22 and has no traction control only ABS. I believe that's the fastest production car time ever and the car was stock.
Just thought I would share that for anti-American ass clowns that say the Viper doesn't handle good.
The GT-R is far from perfect. It's overly complex and will certainly have reliability problems because of it. Never mind the fact that it's ugly as sin. I still cant wait to meet one on the street so I can humble the drive.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | August 30, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted on August 30, 2008 08:58
This is a smart move by Toyota because I'm sure the epic (market) failure of the last gen Supra is still stinging. Add in the price of fuel & global economic unrest & they'd be stupid to release this car. The only problem at Toyota is self image.
Posted by Arthur Pappas | August 30, 2008 11:02 AM
Posted on August 30, 2008 11:02