Lexus Officially Sets New Nürburgring Benchmark - What Are Those Europeans Going To Do Now?

Lexus Officially Sets New Nürburgring Benchmark - What Are Those Europeans Going To Do Now?
On August 31st 2011, Lexus undertook a performance check with the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package, a two-seater supercar, at the Nürburgring (Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany).

Scheduled for production in 2012, the LFA Nürburgring Package has been optimized to deliver higher performance on the track, with a number of modifications made to the standard LFA. The LFA Nürburgring package is included in the limited 500 production run of the LFA.

The Nürburgring package includes a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) front spoiler and fixed rear wing to enhance aerodynamic performance. The LFA Nürburgring Package also comes with track tuned suspension and custom wheels to improve maneuverability and stability. Compared to the standard LFA’s output of 412 kW (560 PS), the output of the LFA Nürburgring package has been raised to 420 kW (571 PS).



On the Nürburgring Nordschliefe (North Loop), where the LFA was extensively developed, professional race driver and LFA test driver, Akira Iida recorded a lap time of just 7:14.64. The tires used during the performance evaluation were Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires which are the standard road legal specification for this LFA.

Dr. Schmidt , the COO of the Nürburgring Automotive GmbH stated “For us, it is always very special when a car is developed to meet the needs of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. It shows us that the Nordschleife still is of particular importance for the automotive industry and that it still radiates a tremendous fascination. Lexus met the challenge Nordschleife by developing the Lexus LFA Nürburgring package. The lap time driven demonstrates impressively that Lexus have done an excellent job in matching the challenges of the track with the needs of an exclusive sports car. This is an outstanding result for Lexus and a reassurance of the excellent work done. We are very delighted by this”.

Haruhiko Tanahashi, LFA Chief Engineer stated “Since 2004 in the spring and summer of every year we have conducted development tests for the LFA at Nürburgring Nordschleife. The LFA Nürburgring package is the compilation of our extensive testing programme and we have appreciated the opportunities to utilise the Nürburgring Nordschleife to strengthen and develop the LFA into the vehicle it is today. The development team’s obsession, Iida-san’s concentration and good course conditions all led to achieving this record”.

Commenting on the result Iida-san said “We are delighted with this achievement. Our ongoing development of the LFA and our recent outings at the Nürburgring 24h race have enabled us to continued to tune the vehicle. The result with the LFA Nürburgring package shows the cars ultimate performance and agility. This is a first activity of its type for Lexus and the constant effort of the team has brought this fantastic result”.

The Lexus LFA supercar was first shown at the 41st Tokyo motorshow. The development took place over a period of ten years and was an indispensable step for Lexus, and its future models. The first model of the new generation Lexus, the new GS shows the new direction for the brand in terms of bold, dynamic styling, precise handling and innovative technology. The full hybrid GS 450h will be shown for the first time at Frankfurt motorshow on the 13th September.

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topneurotopneuro - 9/7/2011 12:07:32 PM
+12 Boost
Lexus LFA Nurburgring airborne, nicely done.


RectifierRectifier - 9/7/2011 7:04:12 PM
+11 Boost
@CarreraGT: Both LFAs were involved in accidents last time, hence the 41st place. Usually they get 17-20 place, first in class. In addition, the race version is actually slower than the production one due to class restrictions.


100octane100octane - 9/8/2011 12:12:30 PM
-1 Boost
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but the LF-A didn't even come close to the top 20 in a 24H race. they accomplished that in the VLN with a lot less competition and in a much shorter race (3-6 hours).

and yes, they finished first in SP8 class, i think you know the other cars in this class, don't you? 20 year old Audi sedans, V8 R8, Aston Martin Rapide and so on. Not the kind of cars that play in the same league.

you're right, the car is less powerful in race-trim (like many other cars in this race), but the lack of luxury items and the addition of slicks still make it a LOT faster than it's street-legal sibling.


RectifierRectifier - 9/8/2011 4:17:53 PM
+1 Boost
@100octane:

LFA took class win at the 2010 Nurburgring 24 Hours and finished 18th overall:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/05/lexus-lfa-takes-class-win-at-the-nurburgring-24-hours.html

The race car has about the same weight (1500 kg), less power (around 450) and is slower that the production version according to someone from Gazoo team. Sorry, cant find a reference at the moment.
For comparison, the winners from the XP classes are 250-400 kg lighter with about the same power.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/7/2011 11:52:27 AM
+11 Boost
you forgot about having every 20th frame removed so the car appears to go faster then it actually did lol.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/8/2011 12:20:07 PM
0 Boost
uhm... if you slow down the video it'll post a slower time, say... an 8 minute time lol.


100octane100octane - 9/8/2011 12:26:00 PM
-1 Boost
"all things never uttered when Porsche does this."

that might have to do with the fact, that Porsche doesn't release any videos. They let independent sources confirm their laptimes.


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/7/2011 6:01:51 PM
-5 Boost
Well is it? Did they modify it? Those aren't legit questions?


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/7/2011 10:05:37 PM
-3 Boost
OK... I am so pissed off at this time that it isn't even funny :( :(

Lexus did this just to shut me up. Please... someone put a McLaren or an Aventador out there. Either way for now its Lexus #1. I still think that the steed might have been on illegal steroids :) But that's just me.

Beating out the established players is a great accomplishment. Lets not forget about the person who lost his life developing that very edition of that car R.I.P.


Agent009Agent009 - 9/7/2011 12:42:57 PM
+11 Boost
Yep, it is just giving credit where it is due. Hats off to Lexus on this one.


grenouillegrenouille - 9/7/2011 11:53:28 AM
+12 Boost
Now put some Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and go for another lap.....


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 9/7/2011 11:58:46 AM
+11 Boost
One hell of a luxury car guys......


CaraficionadoCaraficionado - 9/7/2011 12:42:07 PM
+7 Boost
Wow!


curriescornercurriescorner - 9/7/2011 1:29:53 PM
-2 Boost
In defense of LexSucks' argument, I personally don't see anything wrong with showing proof of your time around the ring. The GTR's lap times were questioned in every instance and they validated their claims with smiles and pride. Why wouldn't any other auto manufacturer want to do the same? Are they held to a higher standard?

Unless I'm in some sort of parallel universe I would think "official" carries more gravity than "unofficial", but I guess that's just me.

Congrats Lexus!


recca7recca7 - 9/7/2011 1:51:04 PM
-4 Boost
damn all these laptimes on the ring seem less and less significant. I mean almost every manufacture is using it as a bench mark now. some how being 5-10 seconds slower on the ring just doesn't seem that important anymore..


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/7/2011 2:31:25 PM
+8 Boost
Congratulations Toyota. That is great laptime and will not be beaten easily. Lexus should continue to focus on sportiness and introduce more sporty and performance oriented models starting with all new GS.


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/7/2011 2:37:13 PM
-3 Boost
Good for Lexus. All I wanted was proof?

I'd like to see what an actual costumer car would do. Who knows how much Lexus modified that car? The LF-A has been out for a while. I guess during that time they modified the hell out of one of those nurburgring editions. They had more than enough time. I would have liked to have seen this time done not too soon after its release (or with an actual costumer car).

Either way that’s a great time. But I’d still pick plenty of cars over the LF-A :)


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/7/2011 2:57:59 PM
+3 Boost
Isn't this a nurburgring edition? I am guessing they modified it significantly, it would be interesting to see what a standard LFA would do.


bmwcsbmwcs - 9/7/2011 4:03:44 PM
+8 Boost
It appears Toyota is king of the ring. They have the Electric vehicle lap record, and one of the fastest street car lap times. Well done.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/7/2011 5:01:36 PM
0 Boost
Wouldn't it appear Redical is the King of the ring? They have the top two production lap times and the electrical "Toyota" is nothing more then a radical with sourced electric motors/batteries.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/7/2011 5:06:46 PM
-1 Boost
radical* ahh so embarassing


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/7/2011 5:07:10 PM
-1 Boost
embarrassing* lol


golfer38golfer38 - 9/7/2011 4:52:31 PM
+2 Boost
Bravo Toyota. I hope they run the MP4-12C soon. Too bad the ZR1 doesn't have a 7 speed DSG gearbox. I think that might be enough to shave a few more off of its 7:19 and be right there with the Toyota.


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/7/2011 5:56:01 PM
-7 Boost
"Too bad the ZR1 doesn't have a 7 speed DSG gearbox."

- Niether does the LF-A. The LF-A's shifts are just as quick as DSG shifts. But the LF-A does not have a DSG (or DSG like) transmission. That type of gearbox might shave off a second or 2 with the ZR-1. But who knows what lexus did to that car to achive that time?


USNA1999USNA1999 - 9/7/2011 5:52:14 PM
+4 Boost
Great job Lexus, now apply some of this handling technology to your mass production cars to make them more competitive to the driving enthusiast vice aging baby boomers


USNA1999USNA1999 - 9/7/2011 5:54:37 PM
+7 Boost
Eldard I bet you wish you were an American living in the best country in world!


993Turbo993Turbo - 9/8/2011 6:55:24 AM
+7 Boost
He probably can't get a Visa. Hehe.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 9/7/2011 6:14:04 PM
-1 Boost
i guess ferrari, lamborghini, et al should just sell to toyota. after all toyota spent more money developing the LFA than the entire market capitalization of those two companies.

or maybe all the european makers should start making very ugly cars that take 10 years to bring to market, cost twice their competitors and STILL lose huge amounts of money on every car sold. that's a winning model!


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 9/7/2011 6:15:02 PM
-1 Boost
and since their not really sold out, everyone on here should go buy one.


USNA1999USNA1999 - 9/7/2011 6:57:52 PM
+9 Boost
That is what all you haters claim! I have lived on many places overseas and there is nothing as good as the USA! No wonder this is why you spend all your time in this website since your country cannot afford to have sites like this. This nation will continue to be the greatest nation and biggest superpower, can you say this about yours? I bet NOT!
Keep hating ELDARD!


bluedartbluedart - 9/7/2011 7:17:32 PM
+7 Boost
7:14 and don't have to worry that the kidneys are falling off cause it's also a luxury car!


LexusLexus - 9/7/2011 8:20:37 PM
+7 Boost
Absolute Madness ring time for a Super Sports Car. Unreal............ Good job Lexus and keep up the good work.


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/7/2011 10:31:19 PM
0 Boost
Autoweek.nl Reviews the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2011/09/05/autoweek-nl-reviews-the-lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition/


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/7/2011 10:39:45 PM
0 Boost
Nürburgring enthusiast website Bridge to Gantry.

http://bridgetogantry.com/2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178:fastest-lap-of-the-ring&catid=57:laptimes-and-private-events&Itemid=300090


dlindlin - 9/7/2011 10:56:35 PM
+6 Boost
Still hard to believe this lap time can be achieved without 600-650 hp. Other than the high revving engine, the suspension tuning must be really good....


dlindlin - 9/8/2011 12:04:57 AM
+1 Boost
Now can I get a 350hp Z fighter?


dlindlin - 9/8/2011 12:05:26 AM
+1 Boost
Now can I get a 350hp Z fighter?


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/8/2011 10:49:45 AM
+1 Boost
lol. good one.


100octane100octane - 9/8/2011 11:40:28 AM
-3 Boost
American and Japanese car companies have a strange idea about "stock" cars. beefing up the chassis with a rollcage and throwing in feather light bucket seats to compensate the extra weight is not what i would call showroom condition.

btw, there is no authority who "officially" measures the laptimes, everyone could come up with an onboard video that shows a heavily tuned or at least slightly tuned car and claim an "official" record.

a video proofs nothing, so we have to wait for an independent test. nevertheless, it was an awesome lap.




100octane100octane - 9/8/2011 11:50:54 AM
-3 Boost
*proves nothing


100octane100octane - 9/8/2011 4:04:41 PM
-2 Boost
i'll repeat:

Porsche doesn't release videos cos a video isn't a valid proof! an onboard video doesn't show if the tires, engine or suspension are stock.

just take a look at the video: I didn't know that Lexus offers the LF-A with a FIA certified rollcage and lighter bucket seats. The rollcage stiffens the car and the seats lower the weight and these are just the visible things. But good to know that their record is "official".
The corvette also had a cage and lighter bucket seats, i think the definition of stock isn't that difficult.

Porsche hands their stock cars (no cages, bucket seats and so on) over to independent sources and let them confirm their laptimes and that's how it's done.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/8/2011 4:10:53 PM
+2 Boost
Even if an uncut video showed the tyres, engine and suspension, there would still be no way to tell if it was running a stock ecu tune.


skinnyskinny - 9/8/2011 3:33:24 PM
+5 Boost
Awesome! LFA doesn't have massive horsepower. But a a almost perfectly engineered & tuned chassis impresses.


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