I just read from http://www.insideline.com that Lexus will end its production of its first super car, the Lexus LFA. Here’s the excerpt from Insideline that i’m attaching verbatim. What are your thoughts? Curious what’s next for Lexus.
image from CarandDriverJust the Facts:
- The final Lexus LFA rolled off the assembly line on Monday, marking the end of production for the first Lexus supercar.
- The final Lexus LFA in a run of 500 is a white 2012 Lexus LFA with the Nurburgring package.
- “Future Lexus vehicles will reflect the technological skills gained during the development and production of the LFA,” said Toyota in a statement.
TOYOTA CITY, Japan — The final Lexus LFA rolled off the assembly line on Monday, marking the end of production for the first Lexus supercar.
The final Lexus LFA in a run of 500 is a white 2012 Lexus LFA with the Nurburgring package. The LFA Nurburgring package is described by Toyota as a “circuit-racing-oriented grade.”
“Future Lexus vehicles will reflect the technological skills gained during the development and production of the LFA,” said Toyota in a statement, as it announced that it had completed the production run of the supercar.
The moment was marked with reverence by automotive pundits.
“A moment of silence, if you please,” wrote Top Gear.
The automaker said that the final LFA “will undergo quality inspection and road testing before being delivered to its owner.” The owner was not identified.
With a base price of $381,100, including a $3,700 gas-guzzler tax and a $2,400 destination charge, the LFA had the distinction of being one of the most exclusive cars ever created and one of the most talked-about Toyotas.
Production of the LFA began on December 15, 2010 and included a team of 170 workers who build just one car per day, with no more than 20 models assembled each month.
The rear-wheel-drive LFA stood out with its carbon-fiber chassis and body. It is equipped with a 553-horsepower 4.8-liter V10 engine linked to a six-speed automated sequential transmission with paddle shifters. Each engine is hand-built by a single engineer and bears his signature. The LFA has a maximum speed of 202 mph and the base car sprints from zero-to-60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
The EPA says the 2012 LFA returns 11 mpg in city driving and 16 mpg on the highway.
The LFA also features an unusual shoulder belt airbag designed to “reduce secondary injuries during ultra high speed collision,” said Toyota.
Edmunds says: Toyota is undoubtedly working on its next “halo” car. Should be interesting to see what shape it takes — and whether fuel economy will be a priority.