SPIED: More Photos on Lexus Super Car Concept LF-A

I don't think that is what answer meant by that. I also expect the same. I would expect a very modern and high-tech "display" in the interior. Not the instrument panel, but the overall look and feel.

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:42:40 PM | | Votes: 1   

No. I don't want Lexus to copy Merc. What I would like would be something similar to the HPX concept they did.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:43:08 PM | | Votes: 0   

"If it is, then the R8 wouldn't be based off a Gallardo."

He's talking about looks, and the LF-A looks like every other supercar out there, while the R8 has a very fresh design.

Design is everything in this price class- all dynamic differences are purely intangible.

And I'm quite sure the R8 will be a better car than the LF-A, considering Audi's massive dynamic strides over the last few years. Lexus cars have gotten faster, but not necessarily more sporty in the general sense.

And how is the Gallardo a bad car to be based off of? If Audi owns Lambo, it has amazing resources! I say, take advantage of it!

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 7:24:08 PM | | Votes: -1   

Will, it's pretty easy to see by the proportions and shape of the car that it won't be anything new, design-wise.

I'm tired of seeing "Ferrari" written all over every sportscar that's come out; the only exceptions I've seen have been the Lambos, the Porsches, the SLR (which I don't like) and the R8.

I don't just have a random prejudice against this car. It would be more fair to compare it against the upcoming V10 R8, which will have as much (if not more) power, and a lower pricetag. $150K is too much for this car.

Another key area where Lexus doesn't have experience is obviously the "sport" part of the car. If my predictions are correct, it will end up more of a CL63 AMG fighter, a GT-ish coupe. It may look like a sportscar and be fast like a sportscar, but that doesn't guarantee it to be a sportscar- look at the CL, for example. It looks fast, and it is fast, but it's no sportscar.

Audi just has too high a pedigree in terms of performance for this LF-A to be a real competitor- it will garner buyers, though. Just wait a generation or two, Lexus may get it perfect.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:09:11 PM | | Votes: -1   

What have you been smoking? Lexus does not have the 'know-how' to build a sports car? Have you heard of Toyota F1?

Your speculations are soooooo trite.

Quite difficult to listen to.

A lot of people say the same thing you are saying about the RS4; 'sure its good on paper, but it is no fun to drive because it truly lacks soul and excitement.'

Now you are going to say, 'What the hell does that mean? What the hell do they know? Of course it does! They are just biased!"

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:51:08 PM | | Votes: 2   

"What have you been smoking? Lexus does not have the 'know-how' to build a sports car? Have you heard of Toyota F1?"

Yes, and Toyota is fabulous at losing consistently.

While, on the other hand, Audi has won six LeMans races in the last seven years.

Among dozens of others.

Again, I'm not biased. Lexus has plenty of potential. I just doubt that on the first try they'll get it 100% right.

Because I don't love certain Lexus models, now I'm biased? I just prefer the way German cars look, inside and out (except for BMWs on the inside), to Lexus models. Lexus may have a high quality look, but to me, next to Audis and some Mercedes models, they LOOK cheaper than they really are (like the weird gray plastic on the GS, IS, ES, and even new LS- what's with that?).

What my problem is, I don't see any compelling reason to buy a Lexus over another car out there. If you want ultra-sensory comfort, get an S-Class. If you want power and performance, get an M5. If you want both, get an S8. I just don't see where Lexus fits into this equation.

I understand that most people can't afford those cars. And still, the cheaper cousins of those models offer the same sporting and luxury pretenses.

I know, I know. The glaring "reliability" issues. And yet, all four of the Audis that my family (I bought one for my son) has owned have been darn close to flawless in that area. The worst problem with any of my Audis has been the headlight washer caps flying off of my outgoing '00 A6 2.7T; where the worst problem on my wife's old RX300 was more severe. When we were about to get the 330, her instruments froze. Not fun.

Again, Lexus builds a fine car and I understand why someone would want one. But they don't offer anything the competition does, too.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 10:03:21 PM | | Votes: -1   

I meant, they don't offer anything that the competition DOESN'T already.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 10:03:55 PM | | Votes: -1   

"Again, Lexus builds a fine car and I understand why someone would want one. But they don't offer anything the competition does, too."

How about magic feel? Seriously though, sitting in the cockpit of the Lexus IS is a better experience than any of its competitors.

Many people cannot understand buying an Audi over the competition. Is that news to you? It is called personal preference.

Where your argument goes sour, is the fact that you don't think Lexus has the resources to build a car better than Audi. You have to be so utterly naive to think that a company with as deep pockets as Lexus does not have the ability to do so! Naive!

Also, this is Audi's first roadgoing car like the R8. What makes you so sure that this car is perfect other than your preconception that it will be; it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy, my man..

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 10:09:11 PM | | Votes: 2   

And, by better car, I meant the LF-A vs R8, not anything else.

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 10:11:04 PM | | Votes: 1   

"He, along with all other blind Audi followers, believes that the R8 will be better simply because it is a rebadged Gallardo."

Well, Will, that's a pretty valid comment! I mean, if Audi can propel Lamborghini back into the spotlight with gorgeous new products and fantastic new engines and technology, where they used to be in and out of bankruptcy, you'd think they would be able to build their own sportscar!

MikeG, in no way did I say the R8 was perfect. I am not a "blind" Audi follower like you and Will would like to think. If Lexus makes something better, I will admit it. However, I'm using preconceptions to say that it may be close, but I don't think the Lexus will quite measure up. Audi has had experience with its Lamborghini and winning dozens of races, while Lexus/Toyota has yet to make a successful racing series or supercar. You could bring up the Supra, it's not exactly a supercar. It was cool, though.

Like you said, it's personal preference. Because you think the IS is the nicest car in its class, it doesn't mean everyone else has to. I think that a well-optioned A4 is just as fabulous as it was on the inside as when it came out in 2001. In fact, better than the IS. A friend of mine (young, my friend's daughter) leased an A4, only with a cheap Premium Package, but nothing else. It has the high quality materials you'd find in an A8, a stunning blend of aluminum and leather, and all of the perfect dampened switchgear I've come to expect from Audi. I've sat in an IS250 at my wife's Lexus dealer, and although it's more artfully crafted, it doesn't feel as well-built or substantial. It feels like the odd silver plastic is so flimsy that it will fall off after a year, and I hope anyone who gets that car gets the wood trim. Whereas Audis are standard with true aluminum. It's little discrepancies like that, which make Audi stand out as the true interior leader. If you've ever sat in an A8, you'd know why. It's just so much more elegant on the inside than the LS, both current and 460 models.

"Where your argument goes sour, is the fact that you don't think Lexus has the resources to build a car better than Audi."

Nowhere did I say this. In fact, I've said numerous times that Lexus has the potential. They just haven't reached their true potential.

Will, because I love Audis, I'm a blind Audi follower? I could say the same thing about you being a blind Lexus follower! It's all relative! You thinking you're so wise and all... it's a shame you're young and already driving a car that people normally 70+ drive.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2006 12:42:08 PM | | Votes: 1   

Fair enough. I see exactly where you are coming from and I understand your points.

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2006 2:09:39 PM | | Votes: 1   

Especially considering the R8 V10, with a very possible 550hp...

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 7:25:14 PM | | Votes: 0   

Will this new Toyota be a hybrid?

What about the car stereo?

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 7:37:37 PM | | Votes: -1   

That's pretty horrific.

Audi and Lexus are every bit as good as BMW and Mercedes respectively.

If you think the R8 is a step down from ANY BMW or Mercedes you have now, you're sadly mistaken, my friend! It's more of a sportscar than anything those two have ever made, unless you have an SLR McLaren! Now THAT would be a step down!

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 7:27:27 PM | | Votes: 2   

You are correct, they are both great brands, and both these cars are superb..I never said they can't make good cars, but to me Mercedes Benz has always been about the image, that emblem of thiers, when sitting in one of thier cars, you feel heritage..That is why I am saying a step down, Lexus and Audi are great brands, and the R8 is day by day looking soooo good..

— theman (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:50:28 PM | | Votes: -1   

LOL...

If I had $200K to spend on a car or two, it would be a new R8 and a loaded S550, no question. That is, if Uncle Bill gave me the money to blow off!

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 8:11:05 PM | | Votes: 1   

Haha.. neither would I.

The R8 is a really good looking car even with that 'blade'. It is very unique and it reminds me of the Alps for some reason. Usually Audis remind me of the mountains. The R8 is definitely going to be a fun car to drive and the whole concept of it (nice interior... sorry I had too, but it's true) being understated, yet having a well-spoken design fills a great void in the market. Nothing looks like it.

On the other hand, you have the Lexus. I don't know what the car looks like, so even being a big fan of Lexus, I will not make any conclusions saying that the car will look better than the Audi. All I will say is that I can't wait to find out more! I do, however, have very high hopes for this car. No doubt, it will be a fierce competitor in the market.

To the others:

Comparing cars which are meant to be luxury sedans and a cruiser coupe (IS, ES, GS, LS, and SC) to their competitors and saying that they may fall short in the performance arena is no excuse or even justification for saying the LF-A will not be a proper supercar. It is designed from the ground up as a sports car, guys! Wake-up! You guys are using pretenses! Wait til it is tested or you drive one.

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2006 9:44:34 PM | | Votes: 1   

This Lexus will speak for itself when it makes its appearance......soon.

In the meantime, the German automakers must be remembering with some discomfort what the Lexus LS did more than a dozen years ago. People gave no chance for a mere "Toyota" to compete with the so called "Prestige" brands from Germany. What the LF-A very likely can and will do to this other segment must be frightening to these very people when they are discussing within closed doors the coming salvo from the land of the rising Sun.

It is coming and it will change the way people see ultra high performance cars. Toyota has a way of achieving success, they are the most profitable and largest automobile company in the world and they have their sights on the likes of the Porsche Turbo, the Audi R8 and the like.............

— shiftright (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2006 11:10:16 AM | | Votes: 2   

I am sure that you can drive them hard. I rip the shit out of my Corolla day in day out like you would not believe. The engine runs very well.. This is a much less expensive car. I have also ripped the shit out of IS 350s and they were just fine as well. Who knows what the circumstances of it were.... ? Explain a little better. Here-say anybody?

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2006 8:06:28 PM | | Votes: 2   

PS, my Corolla is a 2004 with over 70,000 KMS and I have been redlining it since I can remember with not a single problem with the car. I am sure that the 4.6 V8 would be fine. :P

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2006 8:07:54 PM | | Votes: 1   

well.. they were allowing us to test drive the new ls460 as you would have already preconceived.. and they offered a ride along with a professional driver.. he did about 15 laps b4 i got in the shot gun with him.. and i noticed that the check engine light was already on.. he didnt have a comment on that .. neither did the fellas runnin the show... great car no doubt.. maybe just couldnt handle the driver.. or just not meant to be driven wreckless. but i do give credit where it is deserved.. it handled beautifully for a car of its size..

— luvmybmr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2006 10:48:58 PM | | Votes: -1   

This isn't a true F1 V10.

I'm sorry you've given into the hype.

Plenty of automakers brag about their cars having true racing technology and knick-knacks like that. Audi is guilty of this, too. Most of it is very untrue.

It won't drive anything like an F1 racecar. It will drive like an LS460 on steroids with two doors. That's my prediction.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2006 12:46:06 PM | | Votes: -1   

How much you wanna bet!?

— Hyundai (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2006 2:12:25 PM | | Votes: 1