Spy Photos: 2011 Lexus LF-A Uncamouflaged

That looks SO much better than the prototypes of yore.

My darling Supra, you have returned...and my gosh you've become pricey!

AKWARD!(from some angles) tho i can dig lexus trying something new, i mean hyundai turned thier image around with the last 3 models they made, despite criticism. And Ford has the same case, the Ford GT is a brillant...and expensive car, its performance is well on par with those cars. This is just toyota's attempt. i think it'll work.

I see a lot of GT-R in this. The back end is awful.

"By slickersdrip on September 17, 2009 10:14 AM"

It's the same problem that plagued Acura/Honda nearly 20 years ago with the NSX. It was a wonderful machine, but simply could never garner the same cache' of it's exotic cousins. The NSX was, though, a game changer. It put the exotics on notice that they needed to better their quality control and create designs that offered greater everyday livability. The NSX basically pioneered the modern day exotic supercar. It just never was able to cash in on it's own goodness. Such may be the destiny of this Lexus.

$400,000? Where did you get that from? I say it'll be around $250,000, we'll see who is closer when they announce the price.

"I see a lot of GT-R in this."

You need a better glasses...

This is obviously a front engine car so what is with the giant, tacked on scoops that seem to be stuck to the rear quarter windows??
It looks like a Celica with a really bad body kit.

"You need a better glasses..."

You need to be less defensive about any comment towards a Lexus product.

Entering the market with a bang! I like the profile view.

I see more NSX than GT-R (apart from the color) in this car. $400,000 is outrageous.

I could get a Porsche 911 GT 2 for half the money and it would give me all the performance I would ever want.

Then again, I could get a Corvette for half the Porsche's price and be satisfied.

I would get a Spyker at half that price or Audi R8 at even less. What are they thinking.

2009 Spyker C8 Aileron 2dr Coupe (4.2L 8cyl 6M)

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2009/spyker/c8/101169539/prices.html

I think the high pricing stems from its ultra limited production numbers which is around 500 total built units I believe. However, I don't see $400k being the correct price.

For six figures? UGLY!! For five figures? Nice.

For six figures? UGLY!! For five figures? Nice.

Looks like a mix between a gallardo and nissan 350z with 2009 maxima wheels. For that price i would buy a ferrari 599.

The Audi V10 R8 smokes that car in value.

You can get the Audi @ 160k. The R8 is one of the best looking cars out there and can compete with cars twice the price.

Lexus is going in the opposite direction. Even @ 200k, that car seems overpriced when you compare it to something like an R8. That car is nice but kinda blah....nothing sexy about it.

Nice if it was 90-100k to compete with the Nissan GTR.

Lexus doesn't have the panache to command 400K for a car. All of the marques that sell in that range only have cars in the 6 figure range- this car would share a dealership with a "lowly" 31K IS250.

Actually it looks a lot like the Toyota FT-HS concept from a few years ago, which I thought was a pretty cool concept.

Has GTR queses? I think not Dude. This looks like a bad-ass Celica maybe even the best Toyota ever made, but trying to charge $400k for it?!?! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

Has GTR queses? I think not Dude. This looks like a bad-ass Celica maybe even the best Toyota ever made, but trying to charge $400k for it?!?! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

"You need to be less defensive about any comment towards a Lexus product."

I will be less defensive about your comment when you get a new pair of glasses...

$400,000 is just ridiculous. Here are just a few cars that may be better for cheaper:

Audi R8
Chevy Corvette ZR-1
Dodge Viper SRT-10
Ferrari 599 GTB
Ferrari California
Ferrari 458
Ford GT (Used but still)
Lamborghini LP640 and SV
Lamborghini LP560
Nissan GT-R
Porsche GT2

Even if it is $250,000, it's still $100,000 over-priced.

For US$400,000, I would definitely get a Porsche GT3 AND an Audi R8. Two supercars for the price of one...performance and luxury in perfect balance!

Guys calm down, i know as a fact the price will be around the same as the r8. Both models will be very competitive even though I'd spend my money on the r8 for now.

I'm kinda going with 'rkr' on this one. To me, it looks like what would happen to the last gen Celica if you had it in NEED 4 SPEED and tacked on every aftermarket skirt and fascia.

I dig this vehicle, not so much the back end (especially the tail lights), but overall it's a pretty nice ride.

And I really don't think it's be at $400k. They haven't proved themselves in this pricerange. Not to mention there's comparable or better performance to be had for much, much less dough.

looks like an Integra with one of those ubiquitous after market AgressorX EXtReem Widebody kits.

If it has a carbon fiber body, it has to be very expensive, so 400K is not too much to ask. Just take a look at Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo. The car does seem to be too heavy though, it shouldn't exceed 3200lb. 550 hp seems too low too, 600hp-650hp would be better. Although if it's NA, it'll have a better reputation.

Hopefully carbon fiber body car can be mass produced in the future som it'll fall below 250K which is the "core" segment for wealthy people.

Looks like the FTHS concept from a few years back, although that thing was a much more coherent design. This looks awkward. From all angles. Lets wait and see how it drives before we judge it too harshly though.

Yeah... It looks beautiful, but I would still buy a Ferrari for this money.

I think this looks better as the price gets closer to the R8. I'd drive it after they take off that intake below the b-pillar.

No it doesn't look a lot like a GTR.

Toyota is F*****G dumb for building this. The new Ferrari is going to blow the doors off this thing. And the price? Anyone remember what happened to Porsche and their "supercar"? Price started at $600,000. After only a handful of buyers, OMFG the price is now $300,000. D*****S Toyota.

Toyota is F*****G dumb for building this. The new Ferrari is going to blow the doors off this thing. And the price? Anyone remember what happened to Porsche and their "supercar"? Price started at $600,000. After only a handful of buyers, OMFG the price is now $300,000. D*****S Toyota.

Yeah, Toyota is dumb, blah blah blah... But the reality is that it doesn't matter if the price is $400k, $250k for $150k, Toyota/Lexus is going to sell every single one of them. Also, the LF-A will have at least equal performance as the Ferrari Italia if not better so it'll give them something to brag about...

Either way it will be a PR success for Toyota no matter how you spin it.

With comments like all of yours, I wouldn't want to build anything for enthusiasts either.

louiswei, so if the Lexus is indeed $400,000 and has comparable performance to a $230,000 FERRARI, what's there to brag about?

carlisimo, if Toyota wanted to make something for enthusiasts, they would bring back the Supra. I can understand if Lexus is using this as a homologation car however like Maserati did with the MC12. But then again, they only made 25.

@ rallyandbosox,

How much does the Aston Martin DBS cost? How does its performance compare to the Ferrari F430? How much does the Porsche Carrera GT cost and how does its performance compare to the Ferrari F430? How much does the Ferrari Enzo cost and how does its performance compare to the Ferrari F430? Better yet, how do those cars compare to the sub-$100k GT-R when talking purely on PERFORMANCE?

Personally I don't think the LF-A is going to cost $400k, as matter of fact, I don't think it's going to cost more than $250k... If it does then I'll be the first one to say that the car is not worth of the price based on brand-prestige and performance. However, if we look at this from another angle, say... rarity, then I don't see why not Lexus couldn't charge more than the Enzo since it will be more rare than the Ferrari.

By the way, LF-A's nature competitor won't be the F458, won't be the GT-R and won't be the R8 V10... Instead it will be the MB SLS AMG that everyone seems failed to mention:

http://lexusnet.com/blog/the-perfect-storm-lexus-lf-a-vs-mb-sls-amg/

MB SLS AMG is one of the worst looking cars this year. GJ Merc

Your a tool louiswei! Responding to someones comment with blah blah blah is ignorant. Respond to the article not other posters.

If LF-A can beat Ferrari, it will gain population. hmm I think MB SLS AMG is a nature rival. People also know that BMW, LEXUS, MB are rivals, but where is BMW supercar. only M3,M5 or M6?

louiswei,

ALL of the manufacturers you tried to compare the Ferrari F430 to in performance ALREADY have/had credo in the area of sporting cars and their specialty vehicles aren't of significance. Lexus is trying to enter the supercar/exotic car market and they are aiming well, really really high for a first timer.

cino_iconic, BMW powered the McLaren F1.

Hmmm...I wonder if opinions will change once they take off the camo on the lights....

@ tony_wilson,

I only act like a tool when I am talking to a tool, in this case, that's you.

So, have a good day.

@ rallyandbosox,

You first said: "louiswei, so if the Lexus is indeed $400,000 and has comparable performance to a $230,000 FERRARI, what's there to brag about?"

So I assumed you were coming from the point of pure performance and that's why I provided the 3 examples.

However, from the point of brand-prestige and reputation on exotic cars, you are right, Lexus don't have the reputation to charge anything more than $250k IMO. In case you missed it, I DID MENTION THAT IN MY PREVIOUS POST:

"Personally I don't think the LF-A is going to cost $400k, as matter of fact, I don't think it's going to cost more than $250k... If it does then I'll be the first one to say that the car is not worth of the price based on brand-prestige and performance. However, if we look at this from another angle, say... rarity, then I don't see why not Lexus couldn't charge more than the Enzo since it will be more rare than the Ferrari."

Mr. Toyoda? Are you nuts about charging that much money for that car?

Lets hope that price is speculation. Otherwise they are insane. The car has no grace or beauty, like the GTR. This is just like a the Ford GT- a limited edition, pricey, low volume production car that wont be around for more than a couple years. Why not create a mainstream (and cheaper) performance coupe that could become a permanent fixture in the lineup?

The rear end is horrendous.

It looks like... oh wait, no one gives a crap what I think it looks like.

Awesome Supra! $30,000 right?

"Awesome Supra! $30,000 right?"

So the Audi R8 V10 is an awesome TT too right?

I see a supra in this car's future. It will be funny if toyoda pulls a fast one on everyone. regardless of everyone's opinion on how the car looks, my admiration for this car is too deep. maybe if they decided to go with an all aluminum chassis then the price would be a lot cheaper. 3300 pounds is a bit hefty too... that's about the same weight as my supra. i seriously hope this car is geared towards becoming a contender for nissan's gtr.

"i seriously hope this car is geared towards becoming a contender for nissan's gtr."

Not a chance when the engine is a 4.8L V10 with 550+ hp, that's exotic territory.

Lexus is absolutely crazy trying to charge $400,000 for this car. I feel it would have been financially smarter for them to make a car in the sub $100,000 class. Lexus just isnt a Koenigsegg, mclaren, or any of those exotic exotics. Lexus is most famous for taking camrys and stuffing leather inside. They are known for comfortable rides, soft squishy suspension, quiet interiors and noise-less motors. They are driven by wanna-bes and retirees all over the country. Besides the is series, there has never been a lexus even aware of the enthusiast. If lexus believes making a super expensive super car is a good way to make their brand seem young and agile, then they are wrong. What they should have done is make either what they had more sporty feeling like they did with the f-series, or they should have made a sports car that would compete in Porsche 911, Nissan GT-R, Aston Martin territory. Toyota dropped the ball again on coming back with a sports car. That aside, i think the LF-A looks promising, and probably performs like a dream, but the price is flat out ludicrous.