Probably we don’t need reminding of the Lexus LFA’s otherworldly greatness anymore. Its ascendancy from forgotten supercar to unforgettable modern icon is complete, with the skyrocketing values to go with it. This is not a car that’s going to be dismissed as too expensive and not powerful enough ever again.
But as we move further away from the introduction of the LFA (orders opened in October 2009, at £336,000), so its very existence seems all the more extraordinary. We live in a world now where precious few cars, even the super exotics, are immune from some kind of cost-cutting, where more and more parts are shared. Yet almost everything about the Lexus was completely bespoke, with nothing even remotely like it ever attempted by the brand before or since. The LFA is without parallel in that respect, where such a money-no-object approach was taken to a supercar project from a company that just didn’t do that sort of thing. Finishing up just as a financial meltdown was in full swing. It’s well known that Lexus lost a lot on the LFA; the more you study it, the more surprising it becomes.
Everything is just so special. The Yamaha-developed 1LR-GUE V10 is the most obvious example of that no-compromise approach, but there was so much more to the LFA than that. It was underpinned by a carbon tub, don’t forget, which is some engineering expenditure for 500 cars. Especially as it was Toyota’s first real go with the material, meaning it had to install an autoclave and learn how to work composite, rather than outsource the project. The panels were fibreglass with glass microballoons impregnated, to make them 13 per cent lighter than they would otherwise have been. The dampers were remote reservoir like a rally car, the brakes were standard ceramic, carbon too, the gearbox was in a transaxle… And development took something like a decade; Lexus embarked on a Project P280 supercar in February 2000, with production beginning at Motomachi in December 2010. All that time, all those concepts (which were first aluminium), all that expertise - £300k was a bargain.
The engine remains a huge draw, though. In terms of dimensions, the dry-sumped 4.8-litre V10 was smaller than the Toyota 3.5 V6 that Lotus still uses, and it was crammed full of the same sort of expensive materials found throughout the LFA, including titanium rods and valves. There were 10 individual throttle bodies to make the sound even more sumptuous and the throttle response sharper still, and the motor sat so low the LFA can boast a lower centre of gravity than a GR86. Yes, really - watch this.
All old ground, obviously - but it's hard not to get swept up in it all when revisiting Lexus’s finest hour. Think about the brand: then, as now, it made worthy but unremarkable SUVs and saloons. Any supercar would have been an incredible achievement; one of the best of this century was staggering. And there were just 500, which is rare even by supercar standards: there were as many McLaren Sennas; there will be more Ferrari F80s. The Nurburgring Packaged car was the most desirable, of which just 64 were ever made. This LFA isn’t one of those, despite appearances, it just has the BBS forged wheels and same Lexus 9K5 Orange paint. And, er, equally orange seats, for a very zesty spec. Perhaps more appealing to the collector is the fact that this is one of just 198 RHD models, and one of five in the orange. Of interest to those who actually want to drive such a masterpiece is the fact that LFA number 212 has been used and enjoyed by its previous owners. So there’d be no worries about adding many (many) more miles.
There are a little more than 23,000km under those wonderful forged rims, which is a smidge over 14,500 in miles. Not far off the combined total of the other three LFAs currently on PH - top work. This is a Lexus, after all, built to exacting standards, so why on earth wouldn’t you? The service record is said to be meticulous, with the last refresh in April, the paint is protected with PPF, and there’s even a quarter of a tank in it. Perhaps not one for driving right now, though supercar experiences really don’t come much more intoxicating than the Lexus LFA. And as the highest mileage one in the UK (or on PH anyway), it’s also the least expensive - just £775,000 to you. Worth every damn penny.
SPECIFICATION | LEXUS LFA
Engine: 4,805cc, V10
Transmission: Six-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 552@8,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 354@7,800rpm
MPG: 18
CO2: 308g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 14,507
Price new: £336,000 (2009)
Yours for: £775,000
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