Lexus gives go-ahead to Porsche-beater

The awesome Lexus LF-A, shown as a concept car last year, looks set to go into production as an 'affordable' 500bhp monster by 2008.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Lexus - your basic boxy executive saloon. Or not.

By Dan Gilbert

24th March 2006

First shown as a concept car in Tokyo last year, the public response to it has persuaded Lexus there is a viable market for a production model.

It seems that Lexus is likely to offer two engine variants in 2008 - the 500bhp V10 that was housed in the original concept, at around the £100,000 mark, and a 450bhp V8 version for £75,000 or so. The reason twin offerings? The first engine is fruit borne of Toyota's recent involvement in F1 (the reason for the concept car's existence), whereas the second will be from a different development path.

With the car already winning plaudits for its sumptuous looks, allied to Lexux reknown build quality, expect this to be fairly popular two years from now. And expect Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini to be slightly nervous.