Lexus LFA 'Final Edition' Spotted at the Nürburgring

At its launch in late 2009 Lexus confirmed that its over-the-top supercar, the two-seat, V10-powered LFA, would be limited to just 500 units in total and that the cars would be painstakingly assembled at the rate of just 20 per month. At that rate, production of the LFA is slated to end in December of this year.

While Lexus has never mentioned that it was planning any more versions of the LFA beyond the regular model and track-focused Nürburgring edition, it being one of the automaker’s greatest achievements means it deserves a proper send out. That farewell may just come in the form of an extreme ‘Final Edition’ model.

A mysterious Lexus prototype sporting manufacturer plates has been spotted racing around the Nürburgring. On initial glance it looks just like the previous Nürburgring Edition but a closer inspection reveals some new elements that suggest this is an even wilder version.

Apart from the bright new colour, the prototype has an additional air intake on its hood, subtle boot-lid spoilers and quad exhaust tips instead of the regular three-pipe, triangular design. In fact, the exhausts have even been moved up to just below the tail-lamps to make way for an aggressive diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. There’s also the letters “AD-A” plastered on the prototype’s flanks and both its hood and roof has been left unpainted, exposing the car’s pretty carbon fibre weave.

Given the modifications to the exhaust system, we suspect there is a revised engine under the hood, one that’s almost certain to be pumping out significantly more than the 552 horsepower, 4.8-litre V-10 found in the regular LFA. The six-speed sequential transmission of the LFA is likely to have been reprogrammed for faster shifts, and more weight-saving measures probably employed as well. Throw in a revised suspension setup and we could be looking at a LFA capable of lapping the Nürburgring-Nordschleife even quicker than the 7:14.64 set by the Nürburgring edition.

Late last year reports emerged claiming Lexus was planning a new special edition of the LFA that would feature an unpainted roof. The car was dubbed the ‘Tokyo Edition’ due to its expected reveal at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show – but there was no such model. Could this be the car? A possible ‘Final Edition’ perhaps?

It’s also been reported that Toyota’s motorsports partner Toyota Motorsports GmbH (TMG) based in Cologne, Germany, will be called on to develop a range of new performance models for both the Toyota and Lexus brands. However, a spokesman for TMG has confirmed that this wild LFA prototype is not one of his company’s projects.

We should have more details closer to the car’s expected launch early next year, so stay tuned!

 

Interesting exhaust.

 

Looks very interesting

 

I always liked the LFA, but this will be... I haven't got words!

 

I love this car. It looks like the LFA's "RS" model = larger wing, increased rear aero, side Porsche-esc racing stripe, more power and (presumably lighter weight)...

 

a little too porsche esque in my opinion.. dive planes, larger wing, and the side stripe lol? gt3 4.0?

 

Not to mention the bright blue color and carbon hood.

 

Im just glad that production is coming to an end.

 

Yeahhh.. I want to see the final version of this "final version" before I make my verdict. At present, its appearance is a little too... Noisy.

 

Trying to be something that it is not...