| New Concept | 2008 Detroit Auto Show | Lexus LF-A Roadster |
Impressed as we are with Lexus's LF-A concept most of us wish that the Japanese firm would just hurry up and release a production model. The LF-A has become a staple of the motor show circuit, as certain as beautiful women on the Italian manufacturers' stands and SEAT feeding the hungry journalists paella on press day. We thought that Lexus might finally announce an on sale date at
Detroit, but instead it has decided to further tease us with this Roadster version of its now familiar coupé.
There's no denying that it looks good, the Roadster's lines not so clumsy around the back as the fixed-head version, and the decapitation working well particularly with the LF-A's long bonnet. Under that snout there's a V10, which Lexus claims produces in excess of 500bhp. It also suggests that due to the lightweight but strong construction of the carbon fibre and aluminium structure that removing the roof has had little effect on the LF-A's rigidity. We don't doubt that just to be sure Lexus's engineers will spend the next few years hooning around the Nurburgring in it, just like they have been in the coupé. Come on Lexus, build it.
Kyle Fortune - 16 Jan 2008