Who Will Be The Best Japanese Supercar: The GT-R, LF-A, Or NSX?

With the release of Nissan’s GT-R there is no question that the Japanese can field a quality supercar capable of taking on the best performance cars in the world.  With performance rivaling the Porsche 911 turbo and the promise of more power on the way the GT-R will only get faster.

Over the next two years we should also see two more supercars from the land of the rising sun that appear on paper at least to as well qualified.  Lexus’ upcoming V10 LF-A certainly has the eye of the press with it's sleek yet aggressive styling.  The constant rounds around test track throughout the world also lend one to believe that this supercar will be right on the mark hopefully featuring world class performance.

The Acura NSX is now slated to debut towards the end of 2010 and there are signs that this car will equally thought out as well. With the promise of a 550hp V10 power plant, it is obvious that the Acura has taken a no holds barred approach to the NSX .

So if you look in to the crystal ball forward to 2010 who do you think would take the title of the best Japanese supercar?

91z4me - 4/18/2008 3:44:04 PM

+6 Boost

Really each car will come out on top, if only until the next one launches. That is how the game works.

LexusLion - 4/19/2008 11:25:28 PM

+1 Boost

I doubt we'll see that many grandmas and soccer moms driving an LF-A...LOL. I think all three will be great cars and there's no way to put down either one of these cars. The LF-A beat the GT-R around the Nürburgring so that is very good news for the LF-A. The advanced GT-R R35 is the one to beat and I think it will be close between them. We'll just have to see when they're all officially released and can be tested side-by-side. :-)

Lexus - 4/18/2008 3:46:20 PM

+4 Boost

Correction Agent009,

The base Nissan GT-R already Destroy it Competition both in performance and pricing.

KZ258 - 4/18/2008 3:46:54 PM

+1 Boost

i had no idea the NSX is officially confirmed for development, the LF-A i havent heard nothing but rumors from lexus fanboys so i think this topic is here way too early or 009 is bored and wants to see yet another flameware. my pick would of been the GT-R anyway

Agent009 - 4/18/2008 3:49:07 PM

+1 Boost

I guess you can't ask a genuine question without someone claiming foul?

KZ258 - 4/18/2008 4:50:29 PM

+5 Boost

im not really claiming foul. im just pretty much sayin its way too early for this topic to be posted. its only gonna result in stupid arguments all based on assumptions and no facts. why else would you post this now?

SenSpeed - 4/18/2008 6:21:46 PM

-8 Boost

cant wait to see the NSX in all its bucked tooth grill and SH-FWD glory.

_43LE - 4/18/2008 3:50:30 PM

+7 Boost

I think that there are going to be three very different interpretations so it's hard to say.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2008 4:00:04 PM

+1 Boost

You can't really predict this sort of thing. The GT-R will remain the best performance-per-dollar proposition. I think the NSX will end up being the best one for me, were I ever to get one.

silver1 - 4/18/2008 4:00:57 PM

-2 Boost

Who are we kidding....Lexus LF-A by a long shot...

SenSpeed - 4/18/2008 6:22:48 PM

-2 Boost

who are we kidding? Chances LFA will release is a long shot

silver1 - 4/19/2008 9:12:07 AM

+3 Boost

It's already on the :exus website at www.Lexus.com

answer - 4/18/2008 4:08:22 PM

+7 Boost

I'd just be happy with any of them.

sector - 4/18/2008 4:10:55 PM

+6 Boost

I'd say LF-A will look the best, NSX will sound the best and GT-R will perform the best.

lexusrox123 - 4/18/2008 8:09:56 PM

+5 Boost

yeah. good point. i like the lf-a's super car- like styling. the gt-r looks kind of plain compared to the lf-a imo. dont really know much about the nsx...

w209w114 - 4/18/2008 4:13:43 PM

-2 Boost

As of now 2 thirds of those cars DONT EXIST. WHat I dont understand is what the point is in even comparing them???? Aside from speculative fanboysism the GTR is the only Japanese supercar. It has no competition so get over it.

M35MT - 4/18/2008 4:14:02 PM

+5 Boost

Performance: GT-R

Details/Cache: LF-A

As far as the NSX goes, I'm expecting it to be really lite, carbon fiber/aluminum will drive up the price, plus a revvy Honda engine.

They will all bring something to the table - but - unless all this delaying of the LF-A is paying off, I highly doubt either will beat out the performance of the GT-R.

RSharma - 4/18/2008 4:27:22 PM

+7 Boost

Honda has never had the reputation for creating the best performing cars on the road, instead they seem to set certain internal benchmarks and execute perfectly. They trade ultimate performance dominance for things like ultimate connection/driving experience (S2000), balance and handling (Civic Si), or driveability/liveability/value (NSX). I don't think Honda is aiming to break performance records with the NSX. Instead, they will exercise their infamous restraint and try to develop the perfectly blended supercar, that for some reason, we will all have huge respect for, even if it is butt-ugly (Accord, Pilot). Toyota however will shoot for superiority and if they can't beat the GT-R, which I think is a very very challenging task without AWD, then I think the LF-A will end up the best looking out of the three cars. Each car will be the best in a certain dimension. I think we would all agree the days of an absolute best car are over. Supercars have all gotten too damn good, there will always be tradeoffs.

.....but I hope the Honda kicks everyone's ass. :)

bmwfan1513 - 4/18/2008 4:27:54 PM

+4 Boost

Most definitely the GT-R.

AMiodynski - 4/18/2008 4:45:24 PM

+2 Boost

the LF-A is going to be awesome. Lexus is going to make a vehicle that wow's everyone. We have people calling us already wanting to get their names on a list !!!

SenSpeed - 4/18/2008 6:24:23 PM

0 Boost

Toyota has been trying to wow with the LFA for too long now. The car's turning into a yawner now

S4cabriofoxone - 4/19/2008 3:52:45 PM

0 Boost

Yes, really. In the age of just about every high-quality car brand having a supercar entrant, Toyota will have to do something really special to wow us with the LF-A.

lexusis350 - 4/18/2008 5:14:57 PM

-2 Boost

The LF-A definitely. Why? Because Lexus hasn't produced it because it only goes 210 mph. That just shows you how much work and dedication is going into it. Plus, Lexus has a good design (especially with the roadster) and face it, out of all the Japanese cars, Lexus is the most fierce in competing with the big names.

SenSpeed - 4/18/2008 7:19:05 PM

-1 Boost

who cares if you can go 210mph if you can creamed on the Ring? Time on the Ring truly tells you want the car is capable of in all aspects.

JUGNU - 4/18/2008 5:28:56 PM

+5 Boost

We don't know much about LF-A and NSX as of now. And GT-R's performance is ground breaking. So i think it will be safe to say GT-R.

but i still think LF-A and NSX will be no less than GT-R in anything(Performance, luxury, price) when they'll come out. Can't wait.

JUGNU

autopro - 4/18/2008 5:40:59 PM

+6 Boost

The performance will be so close that it will come down to driver skills and balls.I would rather be seen in the LFA.

PerformanceGuy - 4/18/2008 7:33:41 PM

+2 Boost

Have to give this one to the GT-R!! Although I am sure the others will be nice too.

jeeka715 - 4/18/2008 8:09:31 PM

+3 Boost

Although I am a Lexus guy (of the 3), it has to be the GT-R, not only because it's an amazing performer, it's the only one that acually EXISTS in production. The other two have a lot of promise, but the GT-R is walking the walk, today.

jeeka715 - 4/18/2008 8:10:10 PM

+3 Boost

*actually

lexusrox123 - 4/18/2008 8:14:26 PM

+4 Boost

i just cant wait for the nsx and the lf-a to come out!!

EL34 - 4/18/2008 8:42:06 PM

-3 Boost

"Who Will Be The Best Japanese Supercar: The GT-R, LF-A, Or NSX?"

Well that's easy, the Audi R8 :-\

KZ258 - 4/18/2008 8:56:01 PM

+5 Boost

ohhh so now the R8 is a japanese product? so are you tryin to say deep down you admire japanese engineering that you wish the R8 was japanese or your retarded and you have no reason to even be here in the first place?

Designer1 - 4/21/2008 6:03:39 AM

+1 Boost

That shows how illiterate EL34 is, he couldn't understand the question poor guy.

weaponX - 4/18/2008 9:01:22 PM

+1 Boost

The NSX has the advantage of being the last car to be produced out of the 3, so that’s an advantage.

But, the GT-R has set such a high performance bar that it’s hard to believe that Lexus or Acura can produce a street legal, somewhat driveable (daily) car, that could top it.

Then again the automotive juggernaut --- called Lexus --- has vast resources, envied by many, and very capable of producing a performance standard.

Let the games begin.

Zagarella - 4/18/2008 9:45:45 PM

+2 Boost

The LF-A makes my toes tingle!

07G35J - 4/19/2008 12:01:49 AM

+2 Boost

Right now, I'll have to say the GT-R because it's the only one we know for sure that will be built. The other 2 are still on paper. There still is no production version of them. And, as mentioned before on this tread, the GT-R's performance has raised the bar so high that it will be difficult (not impossible, though) for another car to top it for a while, at least.

Zagarella - 4/19/2008 12:51:54 AM

+3 Boost

The GTR has really impressed me. It has really raised the bar. The other two are amazing looking but I dont know if they will match it up. We will just have to wait and see...

LexusLion - 4/20/2008 12:21:21 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota/Lexus is all about perfection so I'm sure there are good reasons it's taking time and not being rushed through. I don't think perfection can and should be rushed through. :-)

LexusLion - 4/20/2008 12:22:41 AM

+1 Boost

Oops, posted this on wrong article. Oh well...

MattB - 4/20/2008 11:35:56 AM

+1 Boost

This is a pointless article. We don't really know enough about the performance of the LF-A or NSX to determine which is the best.

Dave - 4/20/2008 1:02:32 PM

+1 Boost

It's hard to say which one will be 'the best' as each brand is targeting a different benchmark.

Nissan GT-R is targeting the Porsche 911 Turbo
Lexus LF-A is targeting the Ferrari F430
Acura NSX is targeting the Aston Martin DB9

MookGmbH - 4/20/2008 2:04:28 PM

+2 Boost

I'm picking the soon to be released GT-R V-spec. Yes it does exist and has been lapping the 'ring in all its carbon fiber glory. Rumors of over 550hp and an extensive diet. This my fellow enthusiasts is GT2 territory. I will form my opinions of the LF-A and the NSX when the production mules actually do something to spark my interest. Lexus is not happy with the LF-A's Vmax so they delay? ok? And Honda has a whole lot of old V10 F1 tech laying around. They will do something Honda for sure. Hmmm...maybe a 10000rpm V10 with SH-AWD and probably some new version of iVTEC. The Honda engineers like the word "super" I guess. Who knows? We just have to wait.

Designer1 - 4/21/2008 6:07:31 AM

+1 Boost

I would choose the GT-R, since I think it provides more performance quality, etc... for what its worth. The other 2 we hear they'll be in the $150+k which is really insane for cars to cost that much, I think even if the LF-A and NSX will perform better their performance will be slightly better than the GTR.

Pharaoh - 4/21/2008 11:18:31 PM

+1 Boost

We will all have a chance to see what the LF-A is capable of next month at the nurburgring 24 hour race! Attention german car buffs,if it kicks ass please deal with it and give credit where it's due! Lexus is more than capable of building a performance car that can rub shoulders with the best germany and italy have to offer. They only needed to make the decision to do so, and so they have. Be afraid be very afraid! :)

S2000VS911 - 4/24/2008 12:06:51 AM

+1 Boost

give me a choice ? i will pick the current NSX Type R & will have much fun than GTR & LF-A paddle shift.

lexworld - 6/18/2009 6:49:57 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus LF-A...Period