2012 Lexus LFA

The 2012 Lexus LFA is a technological tour de force that’s capable of thrilling performance. But it will be interesting to see if it can successfully command such an equally exotic asking price. The 2012 LFA has the handling capabilities to match the world’s best, as well. The V10 is front-mounted but sits behind the front axle, essentially achieving a midengine layout and near-equal weight distribution. Lexus tuned the LFA at Germany’s famed Nurburgring Nordschleife, and the result is a car that changes direction more quickly and with more poise than all but a scant few. The standard carbon-ceramic brakes are epic in their ability to bring the fun to a stop.

The 2012 Lexus LFA has the ability to stun you with its incredible talents that can make Ferraris seem tame. However, there’s just no getting around that price. We just can’t see how the LFA is worth that much when the world also offers spectacular cars named Aston Martin DBS, Audi R8, Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, McLaren MP4-12C, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 Turbo. For the most part, you could buy a couple of those for the price of one LFA.

2012 Lexus LFA Coupe

The 2012 Lexus LFA is a two-seat exotic sports car available in a single trim. Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, summer tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, xenon headlamps with washers, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated eight-way power seats, leather or Alcantara faux-suede upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a 12-speaker sound system with a six-CD/DVD changer, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
“Configuration 3″ has those items plus Lexus Enform emergency telematics, voice commands and real-time traffic and weather.

The 2012 Lexus LFA is powered by a front-mounted 4.8-liter V10 that screams to 9,000 rpm. It sends 552 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed single-clutch automated manual with four driving modes (Auto, Sport, Normal and Wet). Lexus estimates that the LFA will go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds — a few ticks slower than the Ferrari 458, McLaren MP4-12C and the exponentially cheaper Nissan GT-R. Nevertheless, it’s blisteringly fast and there’s more to a car than 0-60 times.

The 2012 Lexus LFA comes with antilock carbon-ceramic brakes and traction and stability control. In true Japanese form, the LFA’s cabin has a high-tech, futuristic vibe to it. The ornate, digital gauges are the epitome of 21st-century cool, while the use of Lexus’ smart electronics interface means the LFA isn’t besmirched by the sort of compromised (and borderline awful) controls of other exotic sports cars. Thankfully, very few bits and pieces have been pilfered from the regular Lexus parts bin.

Brutality. Intensity. Startling. Piercing. These are just some of the adjectives applied to the 2012 Lexus LFA’s 4.8-liter V10 engine. The LFA’s 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds may be a tad slower than the Ferrari Italia and McLaren MP4-12C, but they don’t sing the same tune of irate Valkyrie as the LFA does. Even more superlatives can be reserved for the LFA’s handling. While most exotics with automated manual gearboxes have multiple clutches, the 2012 Lexus LFA makes do with one. Shifts are consequentially slower, rougher and occasionally herky-jerky at low speeds.