Want a 2012 Lexus LFA? Better Watch the Auction Block

2012 Lexus LFA

Some of you might be asking yourself what a 2012 Lexus LFA is and indeed it isn’t the most well known Lexus in the model line-up. However, that may change considering that Toyota has announced that all 500 copies of the new supercar that are to be built are already spoken for. At a base price tag of $375,000 this is no small feat for the Lexus brand. So what makes the 2012 Lexus LFA so special? Let’s take a peak.

2012 Lexus LFA

2011 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

The 2012 Lexus LFA has a lot of forward looking design and production methodologies associated with it, the most notable likely being the carbon fiber chassis. The LFA employs what Lexus calls a “unique Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) cabin” that is able to achieve a high degree of integrity while still being light-weight. It also uses a “sophisticated” method of CFRP molding process that is supposed to yield a weight savings of about 100 kg. Of course, all of the development work has resulted in a new joining process for CFRP and metal alloys, according to the LFA website. So as you can see the 2012 LFA isn’t just a supercar, it is truly a car the represents the future of construction and design for Lexus and Toyota.

The construction is just apiece of this machine; there is also the performance of this small and very quick super car. To start the 2012 Lexus LFA can achieve a top speed of 202 mph and sprint 0-60 in 3.6 seconds. What’s more is that the 0-60 time is with the equivalent weight of two occupants. The speed comes from a combination of the 552 hp 4.8-liter V-10 engine and a 6-speed automated sequential gearbox. As you can imagine this car can build up some heat, especially when being pushed out on a track. Have no fear though, the engineers at Lexus have built-in heart management by creating a heat tunnel that runs down the spine of the body, twin rear-mounted radiators and a high capacity low-mount centrifugal water pump. This is a supercar that is meant to be driven.

Bottom line—if you want an LFA then you are going to have to keep an eye on the auction block or bribe a current buyer out of their car. Either way, if you have the money the LFA is getting a reputation for being quite the functional supercar.