One of Only 50 Examples Equipped with the very desirable Nürburgring Package
Limited-Production Japanese Supercar; No. 498 of Just 500 Produced
State-of-the-Art, Formula 1-Derived V-10 Engine and Composite Construction
One of Only 50 Examples Equipped with the very desirable Nürburgring Package
Accompanied by Books, Tire Inflator, Car Cover, and original window sticker
Less than 60 Miles from New; Perhaps the Only Remaining Delivery-Mile Example
Toyota’s first supercar, the Lexus LFA, was the product of almost a decade of development and engineering. Coinciding with Toyota’s return to Formula 1 in the early 2000s, the initial concept was shown at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, with prototypes seen testing at racetracks soon after. Hand built by a dedicated production team at Toyota’s Motomachi factory in Aichi, Japan, the LFA was officially unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and 500 examples were completed from 2010 to 2012.
The two-seater cabin was driver-focused, but as complete and comfortable as any luxury car, offering copious amounts of leather and carbon fiber. Based on the principle of form following function, the exterior styling closely echoed that of the concept car, featuring sharp edges and cutoffs for improved aerodynamic performance. To keep weight down while increasing strength and rigidity, 65% of the LFA’s structure was composed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), while the remainder was aluminum, saving 220 lbs. over equivalent materials.
The LFA was propelled by a naturally aspirated, front-mounted 4.8-liter V-10 developing 553 bhp at 8,700 rpm and 354 lbs./ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. Mated to a six-speed automated sequential transmission mounted in the rear for optimum weight distribution, the high-revving engine had more in common with Toyota’s 3.0-liter V-10 Formula 1 engine than with any other powerplant in the Lexus family, and was capable of spinning to 9,000 rpm so quickly that a digital tachometer, rather than a conventional unit, was required. Dry sump lubrication prevented oil starvation through high-speed corners and also lowered the engine’s center of mass. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes were managed by Toyota’s electronically controlled brake system and were capable of supplying repeated stops at speed without fade.
The LFA dispatched 0–60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph was possible. It stood shoulder-to-shoulder with its pedigreed contemporaries from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, and English motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson has called it “the best car I have ever driven.”
From 2008 to 2010, Lexus entered the preproduction LFA in the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race. To celebrate the car’s achievements, an exclusive Nürburgring package was made available. Among the changes, the V-10 gained 10 hp, the transmission was recalibrated for quicker shifts, and the suspension was revised for what Lexus called “sport tuning.” A larger front splitter, fixed rear spoiler, and small dive planes on the front fenders – all made from carbon fiber – generated an additional 30% of downforce over the standard car.
The 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package offered here, no. 498 of the 500 cars produced, was delivered new to Lexus of Riverside, California. One of a mere 50 equipped with the track-focused Nürburgring package that helped the Japanese supercar set a new production car lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife course, this LFA is resplendent in the dramatic color combination of Whitest White over a White leather interior with contrasting red accents and carbon fiber trim. Accompanied by its original window sticker displaying an MSRP of $522,328, as well as its original delivery items including books, first aid kit, battery tender, tire inflator, and car cover, this LFA is a true “delivery-mile” example, with less than 60 miles on its odometer at the time of cataloguing. Helping maintain its showroom-fresh condition, this LFA was covered in 3M Xpel paint protection film from delivery, and was recently entrusted to a Lexus dealer to address some factory recall items and to fine-tune its performance.
With just 500 produced, the Lexus LFA remains the greatest combination of engineering and design feats achieved by its maker outside of Formula 1. Looking, sounding, and driving like no other supercar, it gave Lexus an image boost and a design language that the company continues to draw from today. In brilliant condition throughout, this is unquestionably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own what may be the only delivery-mile Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package in existence.