Lexus LFA Successor in Development
A New Chapter for Japan’s Legendary Supercar
Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, holds a prestigious place in Japan’s premium car market. Among its most iconic creations was the LFA—a supercar that left an indelible mark on the automotive world. As Lexus’s first supercar, the LFA was crafted with meticulous attention to detail, earning high praise for performance on par with some of the world’s best supercars. Only 500 units were produced by hand over two years, and demand was so high that sales were conducted through a lottery system.
Over a decade after the LFA’s final production, Lexus is working on a successor. In 2021, Lexus introduced the Electrified Sports Concept, with Chairman Akio Toyoda describing it as the “spiritual successor to the LFA.” The company plans to use this concept as the foundation for an electric supercar, signaling a bold new direction for Lexus performance.
What Made the LFA Special?
Let’s take a closer look at the Lexus LFA. The brand’s first supercar was created based on the LF-A concept car. The design of the mass-produced car doesn’t look much different from the concept car. Yamaha equipped the engine with a V10 4.8-liter naturally aspirated engine. Since Yamaha made F1 engines, the engine sound is quite sharp, like that of the F1 cars.
Initially, it was planned to be equipped with an aluminum body, but it was changed to a carbon fiber body during development. Because of this, the development period was extended to 8 years, and the price also increased. Instead, the weight was significantly reduced, and the driving performance was good enough not to fall behind the Lamborghini or Ferrari. The maximum output was 560 horsepower, the maximum torque was 48.9 kg.m, and it could reach 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, and the top speed was 325 km/h (202 mph).
The Electrified Sports Concept: A Glimpse of What’s Next
The Lexus Electrified Sports Concept car unveiled in 2021, has a completely different overall shape from the existing LFA. Unlike the LFA, which had a relatively high rear end, the concept car had a considerably low rear end. Accordingly, the roof was lowered, creating a longer and sleeker appearance. The fenders were also more emphasized.
The specs are unknown, but it is said that the zero-to-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time is 2 seconds, and the driving range on a single charge is targeted at 700 km (435 miles). Lexus said the concept car emphasizes the brand’s dynamism and will be one axis of its electrification vision.
Anticipated Launch in 2026: A Shift to Hybrid or ICE?
Lexus is expected to launch the long-awaited successor to its legendary LFA supercar around 2026. With the Electrified Sports Concept revealed in 2021, the development timeline is notably extensive—much like the original LFA, which also took years to perfect. However, there’s an intriguing possibility: Lexus may offer an internal combustion engine (ICE) version alongside the electric model.
When the Electrified Sports Concept was unveiled, the automotive world focused heavily on electrification, accelerating EV adoption rapidly. As EV market growth has slowed, some brands are taking a step back from full electrification and prioritizing hybrid models instead. If Lexus does introduce an ICE option, it’s expected to come with a V8 engine, although a V6 could also be in the mix.
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