The Lexus LF-A is due to be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October but information, spy shots and a short, fiery stint at the Nurburgring 24-hour race has been dribbling out of Toyota for at least a few years now. First thought to be the Supra replacement model, Lexus went on to shoot down that possibility by declaring it’s an all new model with a different market segment in mind. Then we heard that it will be called the Lexus LF-A, and that stuck for a few months or so. Now we’re hearing it’ll be called something else.
According to our source, the Lexus supercar will be simply named “LF-L”, the change of the last letter to “L” is apparently to signify that it’s going to run in the GT class at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race (a race Toyota has not competed in since 1999) and to highligh its pre-production racing development. There were rumours going around that the car could be re-named to a congregation of numbers to signify the engine output or displacement but even that rumour has been laid to rest. Apparently, this information has been leaked ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show specifically to generate hype among long-time follower of the LF-L. But considering the amount of changes the LF-L has been through in recent times, it would be fair to expect the name to change.
Technically and as far as the engine and driveline are concerned, there aren’t any new updates, the car is still expected to debut with the 4.8-liter “1LR-GEU” V10 with a rear mounted transaxle and sequential six-speed gearbox. The guys over at Holiday Auto have put together a diagram (above) showing what functions the controls on and around the steering wheel will have. Apparently the ASG (Automated Sequential Gearbox) will have four modes, Auto, Normal, Sport and Wet, and will be capable of making shifts via Formula 1 style paddles in 0.2 seconds when in Sport mode. While the ASG is in auto mode one bank of cylinders will shut down when at idle and in light throttle situations to conserve fuel. With four modes to choose from, HA say the LF-L will “adapt” to almost all driving conditions, from circuit work to stop-start inner city driving. The VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management), launch control and rear wing angle are all subjected to different settings depending on the mode selected.
The total production number remains at 500 with 120 – 150 units bound for the Japanese market and the asking price is still expected to be around 22,000,000 JPY.
Source: 7Tune
Images: Holiday Auto
