Lexus today unveiled the IS-F luxury sedan at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The all-new 2008 IS-F will target the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, delivering more than 400 horsepower and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque from a 5.0-liter V8 engine. It will eventually be offered as a two-door coupe, as well.In concept form, the LF-A measured 5 inches shorter in length than a Porsche 911, yet had a wheelbase that was 9 inches longer. It’s low, too, with a roof that comes in an inch and a half lower than the Mercedes-Benz SLR. The exaggerated proportions not only emphasize its performance intent, they serve as yet another iteration of a new styling direction that Lexus calls L-Finesse.
At the unveiling of the concept, Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Sales Jim Press noted the LF-A’s close connection to Toyota’s Formula One program. “Theoretically developed to run in tandem with our efforts in Formula One, the LF-A would probably feature a power and drivetrain system strongly influenced by what’s being used in competition at the time.”
In plain English, that means we should expect a V10 engine, a spec that puts the LF-A in the same league as other notable exotics like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche Carrera GT. Unlike Toyota’s Formula One powerplant, however, the LF-A’s V10 is expected to displace roughly 5 liters and generate around 500 horsepower. Toyota officials also boasted that a top speed of 200 mph was well within the LF-A’s reach.
Although already in prototype stage, the final production version of the LF-A isn’t expected for some time. Most estimates have Lexus unveiling the high-dollar halo car at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, but don’t be surprised to see Lexus pull the wraps off even earlier to gain maximum exposure from its long rumored project. With a price expected to top $100,000, the LF-A is one of the most ambitious cars yet from the Japanese automaker, but if its past projects are any indication the LF-A will be a car that other luxury sports car builders won’t be able to ignore.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:17 pm
The rest of the world gets true off-road land cruisers we get the sissy ones with running boards and low ground clearance and Navtraffic. Some of the land cruisers in Africa and South America are unstoppable; we Americans get these soft pillow pretty versions for grocery getting some I think it’s pretty good looking, I’d take it over the Escalade, now it finally has a bling factor, and the interior is killer. Take it over the Navigator and QX56 as well, in fact I’d take it over the navigator in a split second
October 31st, 2007 at 9:15 am
yer man nice car would like to see this go into the show room ..
November 9th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
hey man,..this car is really awesome..i love the way you design your cars..they really are good and excellently designed and then manufactured..well to tell you about me is that i am also a very good artist..though i am still studying..i can design many cars of my own design…i would like to work for you and allow your company be more popular to the world…i can design any type of car that you like..even cars that can fly,cars that move on air(not flying,but just about 4 inches from the ground surface),also cars that don’t have to be started with a key or a push of a button( designing cars that when you say start,it starts automatically,same with other of it parts)…i can do many things when it comes to designing a car..any type of concept car..please..if you are interested with my abilities..
November 19th, 2007 at 6:33 am
wo0ow nice car
December 31st, 2007 at 7:53 pm
good car
January 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
that car is hot!!!!!!
January 16th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
this car is the bomb, i mean i have never seen none like it……….just awesome
February 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
this car is the most beautiful car ever built by toyota…the style, is very unique.awesome and perfect…
May 26th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
SWEET RIDE