This past August, I was one of the first people to walk through the gates of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey during Car Week. While strolling the booths, I came across a never-before-seen Lexus concept that was just… sitting there, out in the open.
At the time, no one really knew what the concept was. There weren’t even any Lexus spokespeople at the booth to explain what was going on. In a one-paragraph press release, the company called the car the Sport concept, but didn’t reveal any further details.
Now, we finally have more info. It turns out the Sport concept was actually a new LFA Concept all along. And while it was revealed alongside the V8-powered GR GT supercar, this Lexus is all-electric.
What Is Toyota Doing Here?
The LFA Concept was revealed alongside the GR GT and the GR GT3 race car because it shares a lot of those cars’ design elements. Like the GR, the LFA Concept gets an all-aluminum frame and a low driving position. It has the same proportions, with a long nose and a short rear end.
Like in the Toyota, the designers’ main focus was on low weight, high rigidity, and strong aerodynamic performance, according to the brand. Lexus hasn’t released any stats or performance specs, which means we’ll just have to take its word. As for delivering smiles, the company promises the LFA Concept can still do that, despite the lack of internal combustion:
The thrill of driving is an unwavering value that continues to support the appeal of sports cars, even as times change. The Lexus LFA Concept, as an entity that enables more deeply and purely enjoying that thrill, draws the driver into the world of driving and creates an immersive experience like no other before it. This is the essence of Discover Immersion.
The sense of immersion provided was born from the pursuit of achieving a high level of fusion between aerodynamic performance and sculptural beauty. Centered around the ideal driving position, the cockpit has been refined down to the minutest of details. The overall design—in which harmonized function and beauty transform operation into an extension of the driver’s consciousness—deeply immerses the driver in the driving experience.
The cabin is decidedly concept-esque, with driver-centric panels that envelop the person behind the wheel, displaying a series of screens and presenting a racing-inspired steering yoke.
But What About The Powertrain?
The main reason the original LFA is so beloved is its wailing V10 powertrain, which some hail as the best-sounding production engine of all time. Much like Honda did with the most recent NSX, Toyota looks at the LFA name not as a car with a high-revving, naturally aspirated engine, but a car that demonstrates the latest tech it has to offer:
Not bound to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, “LFA” is a model name that symbolizes a vehicle model that embodies the technologies that engineers of its time should preserve and pass on to the next generation. From the past to the future, the Lexus LFA Concept is a testament to Lexus’ taking on the challenge of continuing to preserve and pass on to the next generation the value of sports cars and car-making knowledge that must be retained while striving to evolve such know-how.
While I do love a good EV, I find it hard to believe any electrically powered car could evoke the same emotions conjured by the LFA. I won’t knock Toyota for trying—as far as emotional sports cars go, the LFA is pretty up there.
Will Lexus Build It?
There’s no word yet on whether Lexus actually plans to put the LFA Concept into production. It didn’t mention any plans in its release, so as of now, it’s unclear. While I’m sure it would be great to drive, I think it might be especially difficult to convince people to buy a car with an LFA badge on it, but no V10 under the hood.
With slowing demand for EVs in places like America, Lexus’s main market, and a general apathy for electric supercars, I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing stays a concept. Still, it’s a cool way to advance the legendary nameplate while showing off the company’s latest tech.
I’d be more sad, but then again, Toyota also just revealed a V8-powered sports car that looks amazing, so I can’t be too disappointed in the brand.
Top graphic image: Lexus
Taking a look at the two door EV space, the top sellers are…
Dodge Charger Daytona
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Fiat 500e
Maserati Gran Turismo/Cabrio Folgore
Will this be better than a Maserati Folgore? Probably, but at what cost? And TBH it’s very difficult to get actual volume data on these models, but I highly doubt Maserati is getting any serious volume on the EV’s.
The only EV on this list that make money for their manufacturer is Spectre.
It should be a gas turbine EREV
I would really appreciate a larger gallery or at least a link to one off-site.
Man, everyone sure is harsh!
I love this. Looks great, and we should all know now that with the right tuning an electric car can be just engaging as anything ICE. I want to see someone take what Hyundai started with the N EV’s and bring that feeling to a more dedicated sports car. If they keep fake engine noises out of it and let the electric powertrain wail, it’ll sound great and be ridiculous on the road.
The only problems: there’s no chance I can afford this if built. And since it’s a Lexus, I bet it would be tuned to be a GT car, not a sports car. So all of the above likely won’t happen. Which is fine…and EV is probably perfect for a GT, but enthusiasts seem to get confused by what GT cars are all the time so they’ll think it should be a hard core sports car when it’s really just for cruising.