The Lexus LFA celebrates 10 years of life in a very special way

The Lexus LFA was a supercar that not only set a before-and-after mark, but also allowed Lexus to demonstrate its ability to build high-performance cars. To all this we must add a superb design, a unique engine and an exhaust system tuned by Yamaha that leaves no one indifferent. As surprising as it may be, it has already been 10 years since the LFA made its mark and dared to challenge the dominance of the European manufacturers.

The Japanese supercar continues to stir all kinds of feelings among car enthusiasts, and not only because it has been seen again running at the Nürburgring with certain parts camouflaged, but also because it is one of the cars of the century. The LFA earned this reputation on its own merits thanks to its magnificent combination, which we still celebrate 10 years later.

Although its production began in 2010, we must go back to the early 21st century to find the foundations of the Lexus LFA. The Japanese supercar began as a research and development project through which chief engineer Harahiko Tanashi wanted to give his workers free rein to work with new materials and manufacturing processes.

The first LFA prototype was unveiled in 2003, and just a year later it was put to the test at the Nürburgring circuit. It was at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show that we saw the Japanese supercar in the flesh for the first time, though as a prototype, and two years later it was updated. But it was finally at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show that Lexus confirmed the Lexus LFA would enter production.

Only 500 units of this masterful supercar were built, hiding under its bonnet a naturally aspirated V10. This 4.8-litre engine produced 560 CV and 480 Nm of torque, and delivered a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h. As if that were not enough, Lexus went on to develop an even more radical version of the LFA known as the LFA Nürburgring Edition, a lighter variant that raised output to 570 CV. Its production was limited to just 50 units.

Either way, from Highmotor we wish the Lexus LFA a happy tenth birthday. We trust that, although the automotive sector is changing dramatically, brands will continue to offer vehicles as illustrious as this Japanese supercar in the future.