Such a magnificent piece of enginery

* Equip a V10 engine of 4.8 liters and 560 hp.
* His price is € 380,000.
* The production has been limited to 500 units.

End one of the soap operas most anticipated in recent memory. After two spectacular prototypes baptized LF-A Sports Car Concept and Lexus LF-A Roadster, submitted in 2007 and 2008 respectively, half the world waited with bated a production version to house all the early essence in these studies.

The crisis was happy that some fear for the final feasibility of the project but just two weeks ago, Lexus issued a terse press release in which it was assured that would be released imminently at the Tokyo Motor Show a new “two-seater supercar. Immediately, to the memory of all those prototypes and became the LF-A race that had participated in endurance of the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 2008 and 2009.

They have released this model in the Hall of TokioA turn, aroused a great curiosity to see how we would surprise the Japanese dessert. Now, at last, all doubts have been dispelled, Lexus has not disappointed anyone and with their new LFA falls squarely within the Olympian dream vehicles.

The brand says that since the LFA project began in 2000, the idea was not only redefine the Japanese super sports century, but also reinforce the idea of a new framework for the firm and its advanced approach towards the development of cars. Seeing the end result seems to have achieved more than the target.

Aerodynamics and image

The external appearance of LFA emphasizes that peculiar and unmistakable style of the supercars in every detail, without losing the characteristics and Lexus design philosophy. It measures 4.5 meters long, 1.9 wide and 1.2 long with a wheelbase of 2.61 m. In addition to the prominent front, the details of the hidden door handles on the top of the doors and “scary” rear with three chrome exhaust grouped in the center, the first thing that attracts attention is the amount of aero parts and large air inlets presented.

[Lexus LFA] These, in addition to its aesthetic function, play a role in functional and cooling issues. For example, in this regard, stresses that the side mirrors, with a well studied forms, provide not only visibility but also help to channel cool air to the rear inputs. Two other crucial aspects of the aerodynamic and visually striking, are the diffuser and the rear spoiler, which increases considerably the strength and grip at high speeds.

This spoiler, which includes a small tab at its top edge Gurney (a kind of tongue sometimes used in Formula 1 which reduces turbulence and further improves the aerodynamic efficiency), is collected at low speeds or when the car is parked, but rises from 80 km / h, shifting the center of pressure toward the rear of the car and greater stability at higher speeds. The LFA has a drag coefficient (Cd) 0.31.

The interior, only two seats, exudes elegance and sportiness through and through. Predominant quality materials like leather Alcantara leather, carbon fiber or metal. The large center console divides the cockpit and hosts the color screen of 7 inches along with climate control and infotainment systems. The instrument panel combines a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a thin screen (TFT). Among other things, when the engine speed of 9,000 rpm reaches mechanics, the area of counter turns red to indicate the driver to change up a gear (also can be programmed at will in previous sections to green or yellow).

560 hp to 8,700 rpm

The LFA atmospheric engine has been specifically developed for this model, each unit is handmade by a single engineer and bear his signature. This is a block V10 with a displacement of 4.8 liters that delivers an output of 560 hp to 8,700 rpm and maximum torque of 480 Nm at 6,800 rpm. Located in center front position, Japan’s signature ensures that it is a low-friction engine with dry sump lubrication, which incorporates dampers developed specifically and independently controlled for each cylinder.

The gearbox 6 speed is mounted on the rear axle to improve traction Pesola distribution is to the rear wheels and is associated with an automatic gearbox, sequential 6-speed which is mounted on the rear axle to provide a distribution optimum weight (48/52). Is driven by paddles positioned behind the wheel to vary its response through seven programs that regulate the speed of change. Additionally, you can choose four driving modes: “Auto” mode and into “Manual”, “Sport”, “Normal” and “Wet”

The motor has a very high specific power (117 hp / liter) when we consider that this is a mechanism that does not resort to overeating. Therefore, as good thoroughbred atmospheric engine the engine speed is high. The pleasure it provides to lap up that way has been supplemented with a specific acoustic adjustment the engine noise to provide “a pleasant tingling sensation and a sound inspired by Formula 1.” The benefits are Announces infarction vehicle: 0 to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 325 km / h.

Dynamic aspects and peculiarities

Special emphasis has been placed on creating a powerful car, fast and lightweight. In response to the latter, it was decided to use for the manufacture of chassis and bodywork, plastic reinforced with carbon fiber (CFRP). Lexus took the decision to develop its own technology for such materials, instead of using an aluminum structure (which would have been about 100 kilos more compared to the equivalent construction in CFRP). The curb weight of the vehicle is 1,480 kg

For the rest, apart from this peculiar fiber reinforced plastics, carbon in most of its mechanical, suspension and transmission, are materials such as magnesium, titanium or lightweight aluminum. The 20-inch wheels are forged aluminum and accommodate asymmetric Bridgestone tires made for this model in action in 265/35 ZR20 front and 305/30 ZR20 at the rear. The brake system is another very paragraphs to consider, with front discs 390 mm in diameter, “embraced” by six-piston calipers and a rear calipers 360 mm with four.

Finally, it ensures that the dynamic control system is calibrated VDIM to manage comprehensively the antilock brake system (ABS) systems TRAC traction control and vehicle stability control (VSC). For its part, the software of the electronic control braking (ECB), tuned for racing, has been improved.

As we said at the beginning, the LFA will be manufactured only 500 pieces, all assembled by hand and at a rate of no more than 20 cars per month. Its construction will take place in the workshop at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City. This car promises to be incredible in all ways and unfortunately, its price, does not escape this adjective only be viewed by a privileged few who will have to pay nothing more and nothing less than € 380,000.

Artistic and technologic

Citroën’s stunning concept supercar, the GTbyCITROEN, took to the streets of central London on Tuesday (23/06) to recreate part of the street circuit’ featured in Gran Turismo – the PLAYSTATION3 driving game which the GTbyCITROEN was designed for.

Pick the one you like the most

AMzing Cars !

I think they technique to handle the G forces is amazing and funny
Creo que su tecnica para manejar las fuerzas G es sorprendente y graciosa.

BMW M3

BMW has just provided all the details of its Vision EfficientDynamics, a prototype that will be exhibited from 15 September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The idea of the presentation is to provide a mosaic of innovations that has BMW in the handling fuel efficient.

The Vision EfficientDynamics employs a plug-in hybrid system with a high efficiency heat engine and two electric  batteries whose can be recharged from a plug to get a return comparable to the BMW M3 (250 km / h limited and 0 to 100 in 4 , 8 seconds). Maybe these numbers do not surprise you, but seeing that the car spends only 3.76 L/100 the picture is tempting.

The vehicle has two electric motors, the first of these engines is derived from that used in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, is located near the gearbox and is capable of capturing energy from braking system, the second is on the front and you gives the car a dramatic acceleration.

Obviously, as important as the engines are the batteries used. BMW has opted for the lithium polymer technology, and similar to the Volt, has arranged them along the vehicle’s center tunnel, so that the weight distribution is perfectly optimized (important, given that weigh 85 kg). They have a usable capacity of 8.6 kWh on a total of 10.8 kWh, and can be recharged in 2.5 hours from a simple plug 220 V/16 A.

Ultimately this will be a vehicle that will give much to talk about, and no doubt he will follow the track from the Frankfurt Autoshow.