IT IS more than 20 years since Lexus shocked the world with its first attempt at producing a top-end luxury saloon to challenge Mercedes-Benz and now the Japanese upstart proves it can take it up to Ferrari and Lamborghini in the specialised world of supercars with the remarkable LFA.

Despite having the engine mounted ahead of the driver, the engineers have managed to get 52 per cent of the car’s relatively low 1540kg over the rear wheels – a weight distribution they regard as ideal rather than BMW’s preferred 50:50.

At the core of the car’s lightweight technology is a specially woven carbon-fibre chassis (using techniques from Toyota’s pre-automotive weaving background), but the real heart of the LFA is its exquisite 4.8-litre V10 engine and wonderful F1-style exhaust note.

As we discovered in an all-too-brief taste at Melbourne’s Sandown racetrack, the LFA promises incredible but user-friendly performance – and it delivers.