With The Success Of The LF-A Should Lexus NOW Consider An All Electric Supercar?

The LF-A was a success? Last I read, Lexus was still trying to peddle units to the US market that had yet to be sold (despite the limited production run).

I do believe the sold them all...at least I hope so.

All units have been accounted for, from what I have heard.

not a single car has been sold. first of all, they're being leased. and second, people have only made reservations for cars. let's talk when they actually build and deliver the LFA sometime next year (unless it's delayed for a 9th year)

If they do end up selling them then good job for Lexus. But performance wise it's a disspointment for its price.

Chewy, if we applied that same logic when comparing the GTR to the 911 on performance/price, then we would say that the 911 is disappointing. But we all know that it's still a great car, the 911.

I'm sure the LF-A is a great car, but imo it's not as special as an equally priced Murcielago. Even Murcielago's baby brother Gallardo exceeds it in performance as do other "junior" members such as the 458 Italia. The only way that the LF-A separates itself from those cars is in production volume and price.

Basically the LF-A is the superstar on the Lexus team, but only second fiddle on a more powerful performance oriented team (Ferrari/Lamborghini) It's like putting LeBron James on the Heat.

Agent 00R, you've driven the LF-A, and wrote quite admiringly about it. What is your opinion on this? What do you think of the price?

No worries, I have the answer:

"Oh yeah, it is worth the $400,000."

http://autospies.com/news/REVIEW-Is-Lexus-LFA-Worth-Its-400K-Price-Of-Admission-00R-Finds-Out-55276/

Why not?

The more the better.

As a halo car serving to enhance Lexus' reputation, it is a flop inasmuch as it does not appear to have generated much buzz. (The reasons for which could be an entire topic of its own.) As an engineering exercise? Well, we'll see if it translates into any usable tech for lower-end cars.

Selling out such a low-volume run of these cars is in no way a measure of success. If the electric supercar they produce is an electrified LF-A, then I'd say they shouldn't do it unless they plan to race it and use it as a technology test-bed.

@ AlleVier what flop? Which galaxy do you hail from?

I provided a reason for why I thought it was a flop as a halo car, but I'll expound. Look at the path of the Audi R8, the gold-standard for what a halo car is supposed to do for a company. It starts out as a successful race car (if in name only). It enters a new segment for the manufacturer and get's favorable press because it compares well to competitors as far as price and performance and because it can be marketed as something somewhat attainable (i.e., relevant). It introduces styling elements that get incorporated into lesser models.

The LF-A, so far, has done little of that. It is in no movies nor famously driven by anyone that I know of. In short, it has raised much publicity for Lexus. What makes you think it's a success and with respect to what?

In short, it HASN'T raised much publicity for Lexus.

I agree w/ your idea, but I think you worry too much for LEXUS. They are public company so these technologies that eventually will find its way to daily application for max profit. My prediction is that LEXUS will try to get out of red sea competing w/ 3 and aim at the 100K+ market, i.e. that of Aston Martin, and Porsche. LFA is just to prove they have those technology. The next step will be to come up w/ well-positioned product line for that tier.

The LF-A is already a success for Lexus. Pretty soon you'll start seeing Corollas with Carbon Fiber Tubs and Ceramic Brakes.

how, exactly, can a car be proclaimed a success before a single car has rolled off the production line and prior to a single owner paying for and taking delivery of the car? do tell.

Well, according to most people that have actually driven it, it is a compelling car. Whether they sell all or none, I think it can be considered a success. If you were a true "enthusiast" you would not hate it.

only a handful of people have driven prototypes. nobody on earth has driven a production model. let's talk when they produce the car.

Honestly, how much different will the prototype be from the production model? If anything, it might actually be better. But you don't even really care because you've already found reasons to hate it. So much for being a real enthusiast.

Success I guess doesn't mean making a profit.

Being the youngest brand, Lexus's LF hasn't proven it self yet. LF showed the world that Lexus can build a fast, techno car. It has also shown that it can build a $100+ luxury car (LS600). Now, they just need to combine performance and luxury into a stunning package. And yes, it needs to be a Halo car like what the R8 did for Audi, Camero did for Chevy, Mustang did for Ford, etc....

Sorry - GT did for Ford

Toyota could build an electric exotic, but they shouldn't. And take a look at the Porsche 918 Spyder, that is how to do an exotic hybrid. That is cool electro-mobility!

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2010/top-2010-Porsche-918-Spyder-Concept.htm

"With The Success Of The LF-A..."

if success means that the race version of your hypercar is 20 seconds per lap slower than a stock gt3rs...

Im not calling the Lf-a a success today no doubt it is a good car but with toyota'a recent track record on quality i will have to wait about a year before saying its succesful if no problems would arise with this car.

the LFA just changed from a 2011 model to a 2012 model on lexus.com. another delay...