Spy Shots: Lexus LF-A In Final Stages Of Development

The supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the Lexus LF-A, was recently spotted again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at next month's 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.

The LF-A has been spotted testing on a number of occasions, so it's well past the 'pure concept' stage, but its production future still remains murky at best. The Japanese company's investment in the LF-A earlier this year at the Milan Fashion Week, however, lends credence to the idea that it is in fact going to be built, and the continuous stream of prototypes tracking the 'Ring go a step further.

The LF-A's powertrain has previously been speculated as a 5.0-liter V-10 engine rated at over 500 horsepower, and the latest report says it will be over 550 horsepower and capable of a top speed of 218 mph. Limited production is also the name of the game, with only about 500 units expected unless demand proves high enough to support more, though it will cost more than $200,000. Worse still, only 350 of them will be made in left-hand-drive for worldwide consumption.


2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery