Autoblog UK

The Lexus LFA is to make its long-awaited debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Built by Toyota's luxury subsidiary Lexus, the LFA is intended to set a new benchmark for Japanese super sports cars. In Japan, of course, the main competitor is Nissan, but in Europe, they plan to cock a snook at the likes of Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. The LFA has been ten years in the making. The result is a supercar powered by a high-revving 4.8L V10 engine capable of delivering 540 horsepower and a top speed of 200mph (325 km/h). Particularly impressive is its performance over the 0 to 62mph sprint – a mere 3.7 seconds. The production run will extend to only 500 units and purchasers will need to be patient, because only 20 of these hand-built cars will leave the factory gates each month. The LFA weighs in at just 1,480 kilos and has a price tag of 375,000 euros.

Lexus unveiled a world first at the Frankfurt Motor Show: a full-hybrid premium compact model. According to the Japanese upmarket constructor, the Lexus Future Concept hybrid (LF-Ch for short) lays down a clear marker concerning their resolve to get a foothold in the European compact segment. Up to now, Lexus have been active only in the US market with an extensively modified Toyota Prius. The LF-Ch, which appeared in Frankfurt only as a prototype, offers clear insight into the direction that Lexus design will be taking in the future.

Lexus is synonymous with luxury. And luxury often means conservative. Yet that's one accusation that could never be levelled against Lexus concept cars. The luxury marque owned by Toyota has now presented its calling card – the new version of the Lexus LF-A. The five-litre V10 engine delivers 500 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just four seconds. This sporty little number is set to give Ferrari and Lamborghini a run for their money. Hopefully, Lexus will also be showing off the roadster version of the LF-A.



Top 10 preview IAA Frankfurt: Aston Martin Rapide, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW X1, Ferrari 458 Italia, IndiKar

Lexus - the luxury Toyota subsidiary - will be presenting this new model at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17 - September 19.). So far, there has only been a computer sketch, but it shows how cool the 'Bonsai Lexus' is, being low with small narrow windows, a long bonnet and sharply-shaped headlights. The Lexus will probably be competing with the BMW X1 and the Audi A3. Under the bonnet there will probably be a hybrid drive, since Lexus are claiming that that this new model will feature a pioneering power pack.

While Lexus presents the new generation of the noble RX SUV, the mainly German competitors are going for a bit more understatement with their SUVs by building them just one size smaller in the form of compact SUVs.

The future Q7, X5 and M-Class competitors will of course be lined up against the Lexus hybrid. As both a raison d'être and apology in a vehicle category that takes a lot of stick from the eco-brigade, you could say that the RX will come straight in playing the strange dual role of a heavyweight preacher.