Lexus LF-A opens up

Auto Express has got the inside line on the long awaited Lexus LF-A, as our spies have grabbed the first ever pictures of the production ready model's carbon clad cabin.

This mule is also the first to sport road ready wheels, and with only light camouflage at the front and rear, reveals just how aggressive the new machine is going to look when it hits the road next year.

Offering drivers an incredible 550bhp from a highly tuned 4.8-litre V10 the car also gets a 6-speed semi-auto gearbox.

Recent revisions to the car's aerodynamics mean the strict two seater is now capable of over 218mph.

That’s faster than the production Nissan GT-R and puts the LF-A on hallowed ground with the likes of Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and Pagani Zonda F, that have similar top speeds.

Just 500 cars will be built, and options will includes a high performance sports package version boasting a wider body and beefed up aeroparts similar to those seen on the race version at Nurburgring.

And if the race car’s lap time of 7 minutes 13 seconds is anything to go by then we can expect blistering pace from the production model too.

Prices for flagship versions are expected reach £190,000.