Lexus to contest Nurburgring with LF-A

LEXUS has taken the unusual step of announcing that its hotly-anticipated and long-previewed LF-A supercar concept will contest this year's running of the gruelling Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race.

In a move that shows the Japanese luxury car giant is determined to match its German supercar rivals both on the road and the racetrack, as well as supporting our recent report that the wildest Lexus ever remains at least three years away from production, Lexus says it will use the famed day-long event, "as a test bed for further development of the powerful two-seat sports car".

The LF-A last appeared in covertible concept guise at the Detroit motor show in January but has been exhibited at various stages of its development at a number of motors shows in recent years.

Lexus Australia chief John Roca told GoAuto two weeks ago that Toyota's premium vehicle division is now concentrating on wind tunnel testing in an effort to increase the LFA's top speed - but that it is not confirmed for sale in Australia because, even if it enters production, it may not be built in right-hand drive.

Mr Roca said the LF-A's development program is not likely to reap production results until 2011.

“The chief engineer doesn’t want to launch the car without being faster than a Ferrari and they can’t do that by increasing power, so they’re now concentrating on styling and aerodynamics,” a Lexus insider told GoAuto.

Now it appears the Nurburgring 24-hour race, to be held in Germany over May 22-25, will be part of that program - under full public scrutiny.

"The vehicle is not a dedicated race car and will only feature the necessary safety modifications to meet racing regulations, including a rollcage and fuel tank," said Lexus. "Knowledge gained from the race will be fed back to engineering teams to assist with further development of the LF-A." The company says the two-seater LF-A coupe's V10 engine has developed more than 370kW intesting and is capable of pushing the LF-A to "speeds of more than 320km/h".

Read more:

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