The Lexus LF-A has got to be one of the greatest car ever made – simply because of how technologically insane it was, but more significantly, how the V10 sounded like an early 90s F1 car. I’ve only had the small opportunity to meet it in person a couple of times and every time I see it – it brings me the fizz. Yes! Its special but there was one problem with it… Its price tag.
Lexus priced it so ridiculously that it made no sense to choose a Lexus over a Ferrari 599 GTB (at that time). This is due to the engineer’s absolute hunger for lightness – where the car was 90% completed with aluminium and deemed too heavy, thus it was scrapped and started the redesign process in carbon fibre. This definitely increased the cost and Lexus claims that they are making a loss with every car they sell.. Even at the ludicrous price tag of $375,000.
Its been over two years now that Toyota and BMW has come to an agreement to work together and share technological resources to make a car that will set the pace for future cars. But ever since – there has been no work seen between these two automotive goliath but recent rumours claims that the two companies are actually working on an LF-A successor.
With the intention on putting up against cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1 – the aforementioned LF-A successor will be a hybrid filled with lithium-ion batteries.. but don’t despair because that isn’t such a bad thing. Instead of looking at the hybrid system as an ecological way to save the environment, I prefer to look at it as a power boost to the engine; thus improving and increasing the horsepower rating and making it go even faster! The Japanese plans to drop BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 into this supercar and tag it with Toyota’s hybrid system to make a combination made in heaven.
No doubt – you can expect the successor to be flourished in excess of carbon fibre and lightweight materials everywhere.. making it absolutely exotic! We can’t wait to see this coming along quickly and an addition to the list of hybrid hypercars on the road nowadays. Cross fingers, hopefully its not as ridiculous expensive as the LF-A? Doubt it though..
