Review

Review: Lexus LFA10 LFA (2011-12)

3 stars

  • Free-revving 4.8-litre V10 engine
  • High standard of fit and finish
  • Generally impressive dynamics…
  • … but attitude upset by mid-corner bumps
  • Suspension lacks compliance
  • Steering wheel kickback over bumps
  • Front seats lack lateral support
  • Transmission lacks refinement

Overview

Released in October 2011, the Lexus LFA10 LFA was a high performance, two-seat coupe. Manufactured in Motomachi, Japan, the rear-wheel drive LFA was powered by a 4.8-litre V10 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (Lexus’ Automated Sequential Gearbox or ASG). The six-speed transmission had steering wheel gearshift paddles and four selectable gearshift modes: Auto, Sport, Normal and Wet (selected via a dashboard dial).

1LR-GUE V10 engine

The 4.8-litre 1LR-GUE V10 petrol engine was developed in conjunction with Yamaha. The engine featured forged aluminium pistons, forged titanium connecting rods, solid titanium valves, dry-sump lubrication, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (‘Dual VVT-i’), a compression ratio of 12.0:1 and a 9000 rpm redline. The LFA could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 325 km/h.

Body and dimensions

The LFA had a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) monocoque with aluminium front and rear subframes. The LFA was 4505 mm long, 1895 mm wide, 1220 mm tall and had a 2605 mm long wheelbase. The body itself had a drag coefficient of 0.31 Cd.

Suspension and steering

The LFA had double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear suspension (both with monotube, coil-over dampers and anti-roll bars) and an electric power steering system.

Lexus LFA10 LFA specifications
  Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
LFA 4.8-litre petrol V10 (1LR-GUE) 6sp auto 412 kW at 8700 rpm 480 Nm at 7000 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the LFA included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front seatbelt airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Built into the webbing of the front seatbelts, the seatbelt airbags inflated between the shoulder and head to reduce lateral head movement.

Brakes

The LFA had carbon-ceramic cross-drilled brake discs; the front brakes measured 390 mm by 34 mm front discs and were fitted with six piston Brembo calipers, while the rear discs were 360 mm by 28 mm and fitted with four piston calipers.

Features: Lexus LFA

Standard features for the LFA included forged 20-inch BBS alloy wheels with 265/35 front and 305/30 ZR20 Bridgestone tyres, a twelve speaker sound system with a CD player, six-disc CD/DVD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB) and Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, contoured leather and Alcantara seats with heating, xenon headlights with washers, a reversing camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser.

The LFA was also fitted with a limited slip rear Torsen differential as standard.

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