If there was one thing that people complained about when Lexus announced the 552-horsepower, V10 powered sports car was that at only $375,000, the Lexus LFA was simply too cheap. A complex system of batteries and sockets should help matters. Behold then, the Lexus LFA Plug-in Hybrid.
With Porsche hard at work on the 918 Spyder Hybrid supercar and Toyota's knowledge of the sales power of the word 'Hybrid, it should come as no surprise that the luxury carmaker would focus its energy on hybridizing such a limited run, high profile vehicle.
This mule also sports a different look than the production version. Sure, we understand the parts-bucket monofilament tail lamps, but there are other, less simple changes. Gone are the face-threatening spikes on the leading edge of the C-pillar, the side scoop is reworked as is the front fascia.
Now, these all could be cost saving measures for a mule or they could be hints at the physical changes Lexus will use to differentiate the hybrid LFA from the 'normal' supercar. It could also represent a shift towards a mid-cycle less drastic refresh of the LFA.
More photos after the jump.
adb4 says:
12:31 PM, 09/ 8/10
Y'all might want to turn your wayback machine to April of 2008. That's when the vehicle shown in these photos was first photographed on the Nurburgring (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/official-toyota-to-campaign-lexus-lf-a-in-24-hours-of-nurburgri/) with an additional wing spoiler; the other details you mention as being 'changed' from the current production model appear to be an early design iteration. I'm not sure what's leading anyone to suppose this is a plug-in hybrid, nor why Lexus would extend the lifecycle of a reportedly money-losing program that will be out of production by the time the 918 launches in three or four years. I do realize that Lexus got more orders than they can fill (they only planned to build 500), but this story seems about as flimsy as a Reliant Robin...
buickboy92 says:
12:48 PM, 09/ 8/10
What the heck is the point of making a plug-in hybrid super car????? I mean come on, no one who buy these give a rat's bottom about MPGs. I just don't see why Lexus would waste money on something that isn't being driven everyday, so why never bother making a hybrid? It doesn't get driven enough to be harmful to the environment in the first place anyway. I just believe there are better places to spend all that money.
irvg37 says:
03:19 PM, 09/ 8/10
plug in hybrid super car actually makes perfect sense as a halo model for lexus. and hybrid tech--not the now-ghetto-gas/electric-type hybrid but the uber cool plug-in hybrid--isn't about cost savings for the wealthy. it's the elegance associated w. driving a super high-tech & super environ-conscious car, as well as the ultra rarity that appeal to those who can afford this unique piece of gem.
lfa plug in would really be a technological marvel on multiple fronts. this type of engineering leadership is what strengthens lexus' halo as a sacred brand in people's minds.
alpine6speed says:
07:27 AM, 09/13/10
Nice wheels BBS? How about you make it 500k Lexus to make it take over as the biggest ripoff supercar besides the LF-A now and the old SLR Benz.