Jalopnik: lexus

2010 Lexus GX460: The Lexus of 4Runners

Sam Smith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

The Lexus GX460, the lush version of Toyota's archaic, body-on-frame 4Runner, gets a revamp, a new 4.6-liter engine, and a fresh lease on life for 2010. The question is, will anyone notice?

The more things change, the more they stay the same: Lexus recently unveiled the latest iteration of its three-row, body-on-frame SUV, and it bears a striking resemblance to the anachronistic, high-sided truck that came before it. The vehicle you see here is set to reach showrooms in January, replacing the aging GX470. A 301-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 tags in for the 470's 4.7-liter lump; it brings with it 38 more horsepower, thirteen percent better fuel economy (15/20 mpg versus the 470's 14/18), slightly more torque, and a new six-speed automatic transmission. A host of interior improvements, new sheet metal, and an updated frame come along for the ride.

Frankly, we're not quite sure what to make of this. The GX and 4Runner have spent the past few years in the equivalent of SUV no-man's land, the place where outdated, capable-yet-dull trucks go to be forgotten. The GX occupies the same demographic territory as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML — leather-lined station wagons on stilts, both — and it's significantly cheaper than either, but something is missing. Yes, it's remarkably capable off-road. And yes, it's a good answer for people who want little more than towing capacity, build quality, and three rows of tech-heavy seats. But why does the phrase "affordable luxury" have to mean anodyne styling? Or, for that matter, prehistoric chassis technology?

Here's hoping that the next GX will be good enough to make these questions irrelevant. We'll know more after the L.A. show, but for now, take a look at the gallery and the attached press release.

Lexus Introduces Second-Generation GX 460 Luxury SUV for 2010

* New 301-hp V8 with Six-Speed Transmission
* Standard 10 airbags and Available Pre-Collision System
* More Versatile Interior with a New Standard Power Fold Third Row

Lexus has introduced an all-new, second-generation GX 460 luxury utility vehicle for 2010 that is more powerful, more efficient, quieter and more luxurious than the GX 470 model it replaces. The 2010 GX 460 achieves all of these significant developments while its 10 standard airbags and the available Pre-Collision System help enhance safety.

Positioned between the brand's LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle and unibody-based RX models, the 2010 GX 460 combines "right sized" midsize packaging with family-friendly comfort and premium craftsmanship. The GX 460 has a standard seven-passenger configuration. Once again built with rugged body-on-frame construction, the 2010 GX 460 is also equipped with full-time four-wheel drive and the advanced Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) to help provide both exceptional on-road ride and handling and true off-road capability.

The 2010 Lexus GX 460 is powered by an all-new 4.6-liter V8 that is both more powerful and more efficient than the 4.7-liter V8 it replaces. The new engine produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb.-ft. of peak torque, and is teamed to a new six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. Combined city/highway fuel economy is improved by 13 percent to an EPA-estimated 17 mpg (vs. 15 mpg in the 2009 GX 470) — better than other V8 luxury utility vehicles and competitive with some six-cylinder models. The GX 460 has an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

With the same vehicle footprint as the GX 470 it replaces, the 2010 GX 460 provides a more versatile interior. The second row seat slides 4.1 inches fore/aft to maximize passenger and cargo carrying ability. The foldable and reclining second row seats also feature a 60/40 walk-in function to access the standard power fold-flat third row seats. The rear door window uses a flip-up glass panel for added convenience.

Luxury is enhanced in the 2010 GX 460 by an even quieter cabin, as well as new additional standard features and options. The 2010 GX 460 features standard heated and ventilated front seats for example. Among the new luxury options are semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and heated outer second-row seats. New multimedia features – both standard and optional – expand onboard family entertainment choices.

Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance
The 2010 GX 460 takes its model designation from an all-new 4.6-liter V8 engine. The new 32-valve DOHC engine features aluminum alloy cylinder heads and block with dual Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i), which controls valve timing and overlap on both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, fuel efficiency and emissions. (The previous 4.7 had VVT only on the intake camshafts.) Peak torque is also up for the new 4.6, now 329 lb.-ft. at 3,500 rpm vs. 323 lb.-ft. at 3,400 rpm for the 4.7-liter engine.

The new 4.6-liter V8 is teamed to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, compared to a five-speed automatic with the previous 4.7-liter, benefiting both performance and fuel economy. The new transmission fits in the same space as the previous five-speed and features a higher top gear ratio. The new powertrain helps make the 2010 GX 460 feel more responsive in everyday driving and quieter than the previous model. The 2010 GX 460 retains the same 6,500-lb. towing capacity as the GX 470 offered.

The GX 460 comes equipped with standard full-time four-wheel drive using an electronically controlled transfer case and a TORSEN® torque-sensing center differential. It also offers a low range for off-road driving. The TORSEN differential distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip.

The ability to change to a 30:70 ratio during steering maneuvers helps enhance vehicle tracking through curves. If the rear wheels spin, the center differential can change the ratio to 50:50 to help control the slippage. The TORSEN differential also helps make the GX 460 less prone to slippage caused by sudden changes in road-surface conditions, such as driving through a puddle or over an ice patch. The rear differential has also been strengthened for 2010.

Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
The 2010 Lexus GX 460 is one of the few premium brand luxury utility vehicles that can deliver genuine trail driving capability. Combining that capability with Lexus luxury and on-road performance makes it even more exceptional. Lexus studied vehicle usage of current owners and found that many use their GX models for family hauling during the week and vacations and camping trips on weekends. They often tow a boat or watercraft and sometimes drive to areas with unpaved and rugged trails.

Like the previous GX 470, the 2010 GX 460 has robust body-on-frame construction and does not compromise on- or off-road performance; the high-strength chassis and dynamic suspension control technology support both.

The available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with three modes: Normal, Sport and Comfort, and independent front suspension delivers a smooth on-road ride without compromising rugged off-road capabilities. The 2010 GX 460 rides on larger standard 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60 R18 tires, versus 17-inch wheels for the 2009 GX 470 model.

The power rack-and-pinion steering system helps make it easier to maneuver the GX 460 in tight spaces. Rear Adjustable Height Control (AHC) enhances the vehicle's flexibility in a wide range of driving situations.

Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
KDSS is standard on the GX 460, and enhanced for 2010 with steering and yaw sensors. By adjusting roll resistance provided by the front and rear stabilizer bars, KDSS can reduce maximum body-roll angle by as much as 50 percent to help enhance both on-road handling response and off-highway capability.

Using hydraulic cylinders acting on each stabilizer bar and linked by a pressure-sensing valve, KDSS reduces the degree of roll stiffness provided by the stabilizer bars in response to changing road conditions and driver inputs. Because KDSS allows the stabilizer bars to disengage in certain situations like off-road driving, the nominal stiffness of the bars can be notably increased to help reduce body-tilt and improve on-road handling.

During on-road cornering, when both front and rear cylinders are compressed, no fluid flows in the system and the stabilizer bars work conventionally to help reduce body lean. In off-road driving situations, KDSS allows the wheels on each axle to move with a larger degree of side-to-side independence, helping to minimize any tendency for wheel lift. When the GX 460 encounters an uneven surface, one compressed cylinder causes fluid to flow between the front and rear cylinders, allowing the stabilizer bars to move freely. That action increases wheel travel and articulation and helps to equalize wheel loading.

Crawl Control and Downhill Assist Control
In addition to KDSS, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 offers optional Crawl Control a new technology that helps make driving off-road easier. The Crawl Control feature automatically modulates the throttle and brake, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering. Crawl Control is also useful for helping to free the vehicle from sand, mud or snow.

When the transmission is shifted into low range, Crawl Control regulates engine speed and output, along with braking force, to propel the vehicle forward or in reverse at one of five low-speed settings. This allows the driver to maintain focus while steering over very rough level ground or steep grades, without having to also modulate the throttle, or brake, pedals. Crawl Control also actuates the front and rear "virtual" locking differentials to help reduce tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior.

Without canceling Crawl Control, the driver can reduce vehicle speed by braking or adjusting the crawling speed with a selector switch. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) provides additional control for off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle from rolling back while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface.

Downhill Assist Control (DAC) is designed to augment the low-speed descending ability of the transmission's low range by helping to hold the vehicle to a target speed with no
intervention from the driver. Active traction control (A-TRAC) provides the traction benefits of having locking front and rear differentials, but with lower weight. The system can apply the brake to a slipping wheel, while transferring torque to the wheels with better traction.

A steering angle indicator in the gauge panel shows the driver at a glance which direction the front wheels are pointing – useful for situations where this can be difficult to discern, such as driving off-road or when parking.

Safety/Security Features
The GX 460, like all Lexus models, is equipped with an array of dynamic safety systems. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps keep the GX 460 going on its intended course by detecting front- and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition with a combination of torque intervention and individual wheel braking. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) utilizes the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and distributes proper brake force between the front and rear wheels according to driving conditions and wheel-load.

Brake Assist (BA) is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking, and if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage ABS, the system supplements the applied braking power.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes a class-leading standard 10 airbags: dual front and side airbags; driver and front passenger knee airbags; second-row seat-mounted side airbags, and roll-sensing side curtain airbags covering all two or three rows. The front airbags are designed to inflate according to collision severity. The roll-sensing side curtain airbags are designed to deploy when a severe tilt angle, roll or lateral G-force is detected.

The optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) can help reduce collision damage. The package includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which uses millimeter-wave radar to measure and help maintain a pre-set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead. The multi-information display within the combination meter will show a car icon with the selected following distance. If, based on a variety of inputs, PCS determines that a collision is unavoidable, the system preemptively retracts the front seat belts and pre-initializes BA so that increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal.

In addition, an available Pre-Collision System with Driver Attention Monitor and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is now available for the 2010 GX 460. Using two small cameras mounted at the front of the vehicle that work in conjunction with millimeter-wave radar, the system is sensitive enough to detect certain nonmetallic objects. The Driver Monitor System uses a third camera, mounted on the steering column, monitors the orientation of the driver's face.

If the camera detects that it appears the driver is not looking directly ahead for a few seconds or more, and if an obstacle is detected ahead, then it alerts the driver, first with a warning chime and a flashing light. As the car gets closer to the obstacle, PCS can begin to gently apply the brakes on its own.

To help assist the driver in maneuvering around the obstacle, the system reprograms the steering ratio, amplifying the intensity and quickness of the steering response. At the same time, PCS automatically retracts the front seatbelts and prepares the brake system to respond with full force when activated by the driver in anticipation of a possible impact.

LDA alerts the driver of unintentional lane departure by sounding a warning buzzer and displaying an alert. It does not steer the vehicle independently and it requires the driver to maintain active steering control.

New for 2010, active front headrests move up and forward almost instantly in the event of certain lower speed rear-end collisions when the force of the occupant's body is applied to the seat back. Also new, the available Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), illuminates a turn or curve as the driver steers into it and includes high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The available Pre-Collision System with Driver Attention Monitor Package includes new Intelligent High Beams with headlamp cleaners automatically adjust the high beams to avoid blinding drivers in oncoming vehicles. The cleaners help ensure optimal headlight performance in all weather conditions.

Luxury/Comfort/Convenience
The GX 460 presents a luxurious passenger environment with the fit and finishes expected in a Lexus. Standard features include: eight-way power-adjustable, heated/ventilated front seats; automatic climate control; leather trimmed seats and surfaces; steering wheel audio controls; rain-sensing windshield wipers; power moonroof; a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; memory system for the driver's seat, steering wheel position and outside mirrors; and an overhead console with integrated HomeLink® transmitter.

Equipped for family multimedia entertainment, the 2010 GX 460 comes standard with a Lexus Premium nine-speaker audio system with integrated iPod® control and XM® Radio receiver. Bluetooth® capability includes music streaming and hands free phone.

A rear back-up camera is standard on the 2010 GX 460. The camera provides the driver a view of what its lens can detect behind the vehicle when engaged in reverse gear, projecting the image on the standard 4.2-inch multi-information display, or the optional navigation system's LCD display.

Luxury Options
Lexus makes personalizing the GX 460 easy for 2010 by offering a Convenience Package and a Comfort Plus Package, as well as making many of the packages' features available as stand-alone options. The Convenience Package includes electrochromic exterior mirrors with power retract, and Intuitive Parking Assist. The Comfort Plus Package includes semi-aniline leather; heated second-row outer seats; wood-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob; and three-zone automatic climate control.

The new-generation hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system is a standalone option for 2010 and features Voice Command casual language-based voice recognition system and Bluetooth phonebook download to enhance owner convenience. The available Mark Levinson Premium Audio system is the platinum standard for OEM mobile audio and for 2010 features 17 speakers, up from 14 in the 2009 model. The available Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system now includes two LCD screens, one in each of the front seat backrests. Three-zone automatic climate control for enhanced third-row passenger comfort is also available as a standalone option.

The newly available Wide-view Front and Side Monitor, which debuted on the 2009 LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle, is designed to enhance visibility in tight settings, such as parking garages, and to help the driver view blind spots when pulling out of parking spaces into traffic, and stopped at intersections and T-junctions. The new available Intuitive Parking Assist helps the driver detect obstacles at the front, rear or corners of the vehicle and helps guide the GX into street or garage parking spaces.

Exterior Design
Lexus designed the 2010 GX 460 to combine function and elegance, with unmistakable brand identity rooted in the L-finesse design language. The overall effect conveys the vehicle's full-range capability and luxury credentials. A key goal of the designers was to have the vehicle create the impression of being sculpted from a single block of metal.

The distinctive grille features three horizontal bars and, upon closer inspection, intricate detail and texture that conveys renowned Lexus attention to detail. Distinctive character lines on the hood and a chrome surround frame the grille. The front bumper features standard integrated fog lamps.

Functional design elements include low-profile roof rails and an acoustic insulation windshield that help reduce wind noise. Tasteful luxury touches abound, including green-tint UV protection front glass, privacy glass on rear windows, and running board courtesy lamps.

Interior Design
The 2010 GX 460 provides the luxury appointments and workmanship of a Lexus sedan. Reduced drivetrain noise, especially in the 3,000-4,000 rpm range, combined with new sound insulating, dampening and absorbing materials used throughout the frame and body, provide an even quieter cabin than before. Adopting a feature from the flagship LS sedans, the GX 460 uses one-touch power windows with motors that reduce speed near the closure point to minimize the sound of the window closing.

The instrument panel is designed to appear as if formed from a single metal bar and is arranged to place all vital controls within easy reach. Optitron® instrument gauges are a traditional and functional Lexus design element. Leather-trimmed seat facings, headrests, armrests, door trim, shift knob and steering wheel also add to the Lexus touch. For 2010, expanded wood trim, instrument panel stitching and soft-touch surfaces enhance the luxury feel. The GX offers three interior colors for 2010: Ecru, Black and Sepia.

Lexus Enform™ with Safety Connect™
Two all-new telematics features are available on the 2010 GX 460 by subscription. Safety Connect™ is standard on all vehicles, while Lexus Enform™, is available on navigation-equipped vehicles. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions to Safety Connect are included on all purchases of new Lexus vehicles, while complimentary one-year trial subscriptions to Lexus Enform with Safety Connect are included with all purchases of new Lexus vehicles equipped with navigation. The Lexus Enform and Safety Connect response centers operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – every day of the year.

Safety Connect, the cornerstone of the services, is standard on all GX 460 vehicles and offers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance (SOS), and Enhanced Roadside Assistance, which adds GPS data to the already included warranty-based Lexus roadside service.

Lexus Enform, available on navigation-equipped vehicles, includes all of the Safety Connect features and builds upon them with the premium services of Destination Assist and eDestination. Destination Assist agents are available via the on-board cellular equipment and can help drivers find a specific address, a business by name, or a type of business (e.g., gas station, movie theater, etc.), and even Zagat®-rated restaurants, and then send the coordinates to the navigation system for routing.

With eDestination, drivers can go online via LexusDrivers.com to save and sort destinations in up to 20 folders, each holding as many as 10 destinations. Then drivers can send the locations-up to 200 at a time-to their vehicle, where they will be available for download into the navigation system. Online, drivers can create personalized location names (e.g., "Favorite sushi," "1 PM Appt," "Kids' doc," etc.) and even list notes about their saved locations, all helping them see exactly the information they choose in the vehicle.

Lexus Insider™, a complimentary, opt-in service is also available without a subscription on all Lexus Enform-equipped vehicles. This feature offers in-vehicle audio casts that provide owners access to useful vehicle tips and event information, and insights into exclusive owners' benefits – all designed to further enhance the Lexus experience.

XM – Beyond Radio
As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, the GX 460 is factory-ready for a variety of innovative services including XM NavTraffic®, XM NavWeatherTM and XM® Sports and Stocks.

XM NavTraffic informs the driver of current traffic conditions with real-time traffic displays. When traffic problems are detected the navigation system alerts the driver so that the route can be adjusted.

XM Sports and Stocks features in-vehicle updates on sports and stocks so drivers can stay connected to their favorite teams and investment data while on the road. XM Sports provides game results and schedules for up to five personally selected North American national league sports teams while XM Stocks supplies data for up to 10 personally selected stocks. After inputting their selections, drivers can access the reports either by the navigation system, or by using the voice command system, adding a new level of flexibility.

XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather are available via individual XM subscriptions while XM Sports and Stocks is included with an XM Radio subscription. All XM services offer complimentary 90-day trial subscriptions.

Warranty
All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48 months/unlimited miles. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage.

2010 Lexus LX460 Gallery

Sam Smith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:04:38 EST

Lexus LFA, Lease Or Buy: The Full Story

Wes Siler — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Autoweek is reporting Toyota will lease, not sell the Lexus LFA. Not really. You'll still be able to walk into a dealer with 3,750 unmarked $100 bills and walk out with one of 500 Toyota supercars.

What Lexus USA is trying to do is to prevent speculators from driving the price of the already super-expensive supercar into the stratosphere. The LFA is supposed to be the flagship of a new focus on competing with other automakers on performance and exclusivity as well as quality. Giving Lexus that shine means controlling the customer experience to the last possible degree and that means insuring we don't see the LFA up for sale on eBay.

So what Lexus USA is doing is creating a special lease arrangement in which the company will retain the LFA's title for two years before turning it over to the owner. That's not a traditional lease model involving deposits and finance arrangements, it's just being called a "lease" because "customers will arrive at a private deal with the company about how much they're going to pay and when (always totaling the identical total price), then the company will turn over the title after two years" takes up too much space.

So yes, you can still walk into an American Lexus dealer with a whale penis leather briefcase full of ill-gotten gains and walk out with an LFA, you just won't get the title in the mail for two years. That restriction only applies in the US. Well-healed European Toyota enthusiasts will be receiving their titles immediately.

Production of the 552 HP supercar commences next December, with each being built to order. Make sure you check out our review of the 2011 Lexus LFA.

Yamaha Wants You To Hear The Lexus LFA

Sam Smith — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

One of the world's foremost musical instrument manufacturers helped design the Lexus LFA's cabin. Why? Because Toyota wanted its supercar to crawl inside your ears and invade your soul. Turn it up loud, kids — this is a good one.

Things we did not know about the Lexus LFA:

1. When accelerating at an engine speed of about 3,000 rpm, the driver hears a powerful harmonic sound structure centered around 250Hz, which is the primary component of combustion tone.

Hmm. Ok. Got that. Next?

2. At a high engine speed of about 6,000 rpm, the harmonic sound structure is centered around 500Hz. This produces a sound that is rich and smooth.

Ooh! Cool! That makes sense.

3. Sub-path: This side path is a sound conveyance duct with a primary resonance frequency of 500Hz. The dragon eye adds a feeling of richness to the somewhat rough air intake noise.

Wait, "dragon eye"? I'm confused — weren't we talking about...er...uh...wait, what?

Nevermind. Just listen to the thing by clicking the video above. Thank you, Yamaha. I have no idea what you just said, but you reached out, and you touched a brother's heart.

[Yamaha]

IIHS Fires Back, Tells Toyota To Put Cars Where Its Mouth Is

Ray Wert — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

Toyota stamped their feet earlier claiming the IIHS Top Safety Pick awards were "extreme and misleading." Now, Russ Rader of the IIHS responds, saying, basically, Toyota can put its cars where its mouth is.

Well, Russ didn't actually say that. He's too nice to say something like that. But, what he does say seems to refute Toyota's inference that IIHS selectively choose certain vehicles for testing and the insinuation that the IIHS was trying to mislead the public by only selecting three cars to fail an "extreme" test. Russ tells us

"Toyota was notified in January that roof strength would be a new test. The IIHS asked automakers to flag any vehicles they'd like to have included. Toyota had plenty of opportunity to flag other Toyota, Lexus or Scion models — including being present at roof strength tests at the IIHS facility — but choose not to. So IIHS assumed that there were no models that met the new guidelines. If there are other vehicles Toyota would want to include they were able to submit them at that time or at any time in the process — including right now."

So basically, bring it Toyota, don't sing it.

This doesn't refute Toyota's other contention that the new test is "extreme." As we said before, we're not sure whether or not the new roof-crush test is extreme, but we will point out again that not only did other automakers have vehicles that passed it, but the 'yota Camry passed it as well. We'll also reiterate we're not sure how far the argument of "it was too hard" will go with consumers and the general public.

Toyota would probably do more to show it stands by their vehicles ability to pass this new roof-crush test by flagging their entire lineup to allow the IIHS to test it. Unless, of course, they know the vehicles won't pass — which, in essence, proves the IIHS point.

Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Y'all have seen the official specs and press images and even read our Lexus LFA first drive, but until we had some alone-time with Toyota's new super car at SEMA we didn't realize it's coolest bit of carbon fiber.

The strut holding up the hood? It's carbon fiber. Correct. Carbon fiber. How cool is that?

In fact, the more we look at the LFA, the more we gain a little insight into why it took Toyota so long to develop it. Some would call it overkill, but there are a limited number of ways to get someone to pay $400K for a Toyota. Anyone else think the intake looks like the Predators head?

Lexus LFA At SEMA

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:25:29 EST

Lexus GS F-Sport Accessorized In Brown For SEMA

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Toyota's taken a Lexus GS, dropped on a bunch of F-Sport accessories and painted it a metallic brown for SEMA. The car looks the F-in' part, although no word on whether the engine upgrades are F-sporty. Still, it is brown.

[Toyota PR TwitPic]

Lexus GS F-Sport Gallery

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:51:31 EST

Circular Loom Weaves Lexus LFA Carbon A-Pillar

Wes Siler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EDT

One of only two circular looms in the world is used to weave dual-tube carbon fiber components, like the A-pillar, on the Lexus LFA. It's obsessive attention to detail like this that explains the near $400,000 price.

Update: We've pulled the video at Lexus' request, look for it again in the near future.

Stroking The Lexus LFA's Giant Shaft

Ray Wert — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Amid the rest of the Lexus LFA engine porn on the floor of last week's Tokyo Motor Show was the new super car's ginormous driveshaft-housing torque tube in the Aisin supplier booth.

You don't really understand how massive the shaft of the torque tube is until you see an Aisin employee's hand atop it.

The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice

Ray Wert — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

This transparent sculpture, by Japanese architect Scu Fujimoto, displayed at Milan Design Week and then caught by Autoblog at the Tokyo Motor Show, of the new $375,000 Lexus LFA super car is stunning. Old, yes, but still stunning.

What's most impressive about the piece is details like the seats, instrument panel, engine and the suspension can all be seen. According to Lexus, the sculpture is constructed from transparent acrylic boards that have been sanded and polished. All we know is it's simply epic. See how the looks-cold-as-ice acrylic LFA compares to the real thing in the live shots in our gallery below.
(Hat tip to Jack!) [Autoblog via MyModernMet]

2011 Lexus LFA: First Drive

Wes Siler — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The 2011 Lexus LFA isn't the fastest car ever made, nor the most powerful or even the quickest to 60 MPH. It can't even match the ZR1 around the Nürburgring. So why will this Toyota cost nearly $400,000?

Full Disclosure: Lexus wanted us to drive the LFA so badly they flew me to Miami and put me up in a fancy hotel. Also, they fed me cornbread with jalapenos in it. If anyone wants to bribe me, southern food is definitely the way to do it, but I'd really have preferred country ham biscuits and red eye gravy.

You've probably been bewildered by how much attention one car from a previously maligned automaker is getting on this and other enthusiast sites. But the attention we've paid pales in comparison to the attention to technical detail Toyota's displayed in the design and construction of the LFA. The car's gestation has taken nearly a decade not because the program had problems or limited resources, but because Toyota decided to design and build nearly every element of the LFA, its first ever supercar, in-house. Where most companies — Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche included — contract out things like gearboxes and the design and construction of carbon fiber components, Lexus chose to teach itself how to make those things better than anyone else, then build its own tools in order to make them.

Take the carbon fiber, for instance. To make the LFA's, Toyota created one of only two circular looms in the entire world, then used it to simultaneously weave one tube of carbon inside another. They built this system just to make the A-pillars on the car.

This all sounded like little more than corporate grandstanding to us. It's the largest car company on earth patting itself on the back for being able to use the money it got selling the automotive equivalent of beige orthopedic shoes to build some fancy tools.

That attitude lasted all the way to turn 6 at the Homestead Speedway road course. An over enthusiastic application of the sharp throttle had the 552 HP, 4.8-liter V10 spinning rapidly towards its 9,500 RPM redline and the tail sliding out towards the grass. Normally that'd have been an oh-shit-I'm-going-to-break-a-$400K-car moment, especially in an unfamiliar supercar, but in the LFA it barely requires conscious correction as it just blended into rocketing down the following straight at three-figure speeds. In fact, oversteer in the LFA doesn't feel so much like oversteer as it does like the rear tires are sitting on castors and being pushed around by a couple of assistants. There's no body roll, no drama, just complete communication and smooth recovery. The reason for that? The impossibly anal approach Toyota took when building the LFA.

The LFA has an unprecedentedly low center of gravity of 17 3/4" — located directly beneath the steering wheel's rim. So far a conventional attribute executed perfectly, but how that CoG got there is way more complicated. First, the engine is located way back in the engine bay and mounts to a 6-speed rear-mounted transaxle through a carbon torque tube. The oil coolers are in the front fenders, while the radiators are at the rear to aid weight distribution, they're fed by the shoulder scoops. That creates a 48% front, 52% rear distribution for the 3263 Lb curb weight. That accounts for the CoG's position front-to-rear, but not vertically. That was achieved by using a world's first counter gear to raise the relative height of the torque tube, allowing the engine to be mounted incredibly low in the car, accounting for the CoG's height.

Of course, that's still only part of the story. The rigid drivetrain assembly (engine, torque tube, transaxle) is connected to the car by four mounts positioned at the geometric extremes of the unit. With no twist in the assembly due to torque, this arrangement eliminates the effect of power delivery on the chassis, there's no torque reaction.

You see where this is going?

Of course, the reason I was over aggressive with the throttle is that the engine revs extraordinarily quickly. From idle, it can be bouncing off the 9,500 RPM fuel cut off in just 6/10ths of a second. That's thanks to an incredibly low reciprocating mass, but achieving that wasn't simple either. They used technology developed by Toyota's F1 program to develop the block, for example, which was cast in the same foundry, using the same technique as the F1 engine. The same goes for the gearbox. The paddle-shifted hydraulically actuated 6-speed features a traditional H-pattern over the more popular dual clutch design because it was determined that the two clutch plates of the latter would negatively impact that low reciprocating mass. Shift speeds are adjustable, taking just 2/10ths of a second a their fastest, but can be slowed to "smooth" for everyday driving; at their fastest, they're anything but.

Transitioning off the incredibly powerful brakes — 15 1/3" diameter carbon metallic discs at the front with Brembo Monoblock 6-piston calipers — and onto the super sensitive throttle isn't currently as smooth as easily driving on the edge of grip requires. But these LFAs are pre-production prototypes and will be continually refined before production begins December 2010. Lexus plans to "break the molds" after just 500 LFAs and plans to build each car for a customer's own bespoke requirements. The company half-jokingly estimates that there's "30 billion" potential combinations of spec.

With only a 202 MPH top speed, a 3.7-second 0-60 MPH time and a 7:30 ‘Ring time, the LFA isn't going to be a bench racer's dream. But we actually admire Toyota for eschewing the conventional, numbers-based approach to supercar success. The LFA's 500 lucky customers aren't buying bragging rights, they're buying the most comprehensively complete supercar package ever made. As a statement of technological ability and performance intent, the LFA firmly establishes Toyota firmly within the upper echelons of sports car manufacturers. The real payoff to us enthusiasts isn't going to be the the incredibly rare LFA, but the trickle down reaching forthcoming Toyota FT-86 sports car and other future Toyota performance models. If the FT-86 can be 1/20th the car the LFA is, us everyday enthusiasts are in for a real treat.

More Lexus Tranny Porn!

Ray Wert — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

The hybrid auto tranny porn from Lexus the other day wasn't the only cut-away action on the Tokyo Motor Show floor. Without further ado, here's the 8-Speed automatic transmission from the Lexus LS460.

$400,000 Challenge: Lexus LFA Versus 20 Toyota FT-86s

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:45:00 EDT

The Lexus LFA is a beastly car, no doubt about that, but the approximate $400,000 price tag is giving everyone pause. Click more to see how it compares to twenty of the recently debuted $20K Toyota FT-86s.

To be certain, the Toyota FT-86 Concept is only a concept, without definite numbers on anything, but based on what we understand to be the targets for the production program, we're comparing an optimistically priced $20,000, 200 HP FT-86 against a pessimistically priced $400,000, 552 HP Lexus LFA. On the one hand, you can call the FT-86 a bargain, on the other you can call the LFA efficient.

Either way, we're just amazed Toyota debuted two cars we can be excited about at the same auto show.

Behind The $400K Wheel Of The Lexus LFA

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EDT

Our own Wes Siler is in Miami today test driving Toyota's new hotness, the Lexus LFA. He's still enjoying it, but look for our first drive tomorrow. For now, drool over live track shots and the technical presentation below.

Click through to see the technical presentation given to automotive journalists today.

You Can Get A Lexus LFA In P***Y Magnet Yellow

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EDT

So far we've only seen the Lexus LFA in white or black, but according to the online LFA configurator you can get the new super-yota in P***Y Magnet Yellow. No one tell Nick Hogan. View other ridiculous colors below.

[Lexus Configurator via Carscoop]

Lexus Hangs CAD-Like Wire-frame LFA Cut-Away On Wall Like Trophy

Ray Wert — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:15:00 EDT

Right behind the stage the Lexus LFA lost its top on yesterday was this cool wire-frame cutaway designed to show off the remarkable 4.8-liter V10 powertrain and the rest of the neat mechanical bits and pieces. Full gallery below.

And here's what the new Lexus flagship super car looks like with its clothes on — in case you need any reminding.

Lexus LFA All-Digital Tach, Speedo: First Look

Ray Wert — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EDT

While trolling about for more engine porn on the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show we came across the customizable digital speedometer and tachometer for the Lexus LFA. It looks pretty trick to us and very techie-cool. Gallery below.

While Lexus showed off the LFA here in Tokyo, they wouldn't let journalists hop inside and they certainly weren't letting journalists do some hot laps. So, seeing the tach and speedo in a display case was the best we could manage.

And to be clear, it's not entirely all-digital. There's still a non-digital cowl over the speedo and tach, but all the data is digitally displayed and customizable — but it's not like Range Rover's all-digital LCD screen. But the level of clarity and lightning-fast speed in which it moves is fairly astonishing. Click next to see more.

The coolest part is how it turns red when you hit the redline. Very trick display.

889speedshop Offering First Tuned Lexus LFA

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EDT

The Lexus LFA debuted approximately 12 hours ago and already German tuner 889speedshop is offering renderings detailing their plans for the first tuned version of the new LFA.

889speedshop will be adding their well-known touch to the Lexus LFA 889, making the already exclusive supercar even more-so. With a planned production run of just five cars, the LFA 889 will include the addition of an even lighter carbon-fiber hood and fender skins with an additional duct just ahead of the door. The front fascia has been revised for a more aggressive appearance and higher flow ducting for the front brakes. Out back a carbon fiber splitter will be added and the variable spoiler will be replaced with a fixed carbon fiber unit. Wheels will be also be quite exotic, featuring hollow core spokes beneath the even blacker finish.

Tuning will be kept subtle, with a freer-flowing titanium exhaust system and intake and a light ECU reprogram good for a planned 20 HP bump. Most importantly is the cost, which is expected to add $65,000 to the LFA's $400,000 price tag.

If you believed any of this you're not gullible, you've just been conditioned to expect this kind of thing from shops that love putting out renders of cars before they get them.

However, if you get your hands on an LFA and have an extra $65,000 sitting around, our graphics team can probably make this happen in real life and not just in their awesome renders.