National Geographic - Supercars: Lexus LFA

[2jayzgte]

The ZR1 may not have the prestige or the name of the others but in terms of performance its right up there, Quicker then an Enzo to 100kph for and the fact its only 5 seconds slower around the nordschleife than the LFA and 9th over all. The closest Ferrari is 6 seconds slower than the ZR1.

With regards to the Ring times I think tyres are an understated issue here as Corvette Nissan ACR Viper Porsche GT2 RS are on alot better quality rubber the the LFA.

For example the GTR used to use that Bridgestone tyre also then swapped to the Dunlop DSST Semi and found more performance.

I'm not sure why Lexus chose the Bridgestone RE070 semi which is ancient and was a tyre Porsche used on the 959.It puzzles me to this day but Akira Iida the test driver believes the optimal time for the LFA is 7.12 if he gets the lap completely right.You throw in those tyres the opposition are using the LFA lowers that laptime by alot.

[Lith]

I'm not sure why Lexus chose the Bridgestone RE070 semi which is ancient and was a tyre Porsche used on the 959.It puzzles me to this day but Akira Iida the test driver believes the optimal time for the LFA is 7.12 if he gets the lap completely right.You throw in those tyres the opposition are using the LFA lowers that laptime by alot.

Maybe Lexus have good reason to choose those tyres? I'd have thought if they thought it'd go a lot quicker with the other tyres they'd have used them - 7:12 is a VERY quick time and it is a bit hard to believe they'd "lower that laptime by a lot". I'd love to see it, but I'd imagine I'd already have if it were that simple.

[VR-4Squid]

With regards to the Ring times I think tyres are an understated issue here as Corvette Nissan ACR Viper Porsche GT2 RS are on alot better quality rubber the the LFA.

For example the GTR used to use that Bridgestone tyre also then swapped to the Dunlop DSST Semi and found more performance.

I'm not sure why Lexus chose the Bridgestone RE070 semi which is ancient and was a tyre Porsche used on the 959.It puzzles me to this day but Akira Iida the test driver believes the optimal time for the LFA is 7.12 if he gets the lap completely right.You throw in those tyres the opposition are using the LFA lowers that laptime by alot.

What tires does the LFA come with as standard?

afaik the gt2rs time was set using Michelin Pilot Sport Cup semi's, which are standard fitment on all gt2's.

Kinda defeats the point of a "stock" record if the car isn't using factory rubber doesn't it? (I'm not sure if the vette, viper, nissan etc were or were not.

[DeeCee]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/0 ... -bar-none/

Good read on the LFA

[2jayzgte]

I'm not sure why Lexus chose the Bridgestone RE070 semi which is ancient and was a tyre Porsche used on the 959.It puzzles me to this day but Akira Iida the test driver believes the optimal time for the LFA is 7.12 if he gets the lap completely right.You throw in those tyres the opposition are using the LFA lowers that laptime by alot.

Maybe Lexus have good reason to choose those tyres? I'd have thought if they thought it'd go a lot quicker with the other tyres they'd have used them - 7:12 is a VERY quick time and it is a bit hard to believe they'd "lower that laptime by a lot". I'd love to see it, but I'd imagine I'd already have if it were that simple.

Tyres make a huge difference I mean if I take the ZR-1s laptime of 7.19 with the Michelin Pilot Sports without those tyres the previous best was like a 7.25 ish.

Its always puzzled me as I've seen the Fuji test against the GTR Porsche Corvette and what not and the LFA was getting murdered but then went to find out later that the LFA was on street treaded Bridgestone SOO1s and was upto 2-3 seconds a lap slower around Fuji going against Semi slick shod cars.

[2jayzgte]

With regards to the Ring times I think tyres are an understated issue here as Corvette Nissan ACR Viper Porsche GT2 RS are on alot better quality rubber the the LFA.

For example the GTR used to use that Bridgestone tyre also then swapped to the Dunlop DSST Semi and found more performance.

I'm not sure why Lexus chose the Bridgestone RE070 semi which is ancient and was a tyre Porsche used on the 959.It puzzles me to this day but Akira Iida the test driver believes the optimal time for the LFA is 7.12 if he gets the lap completely right.You throw in those tyres the opposition are using the LFA lowers that laptime by alot.

What tires does the LFA come with as standard?

afaik the gt2rs time was set using Michelin Pilot Sport Cup semi's, which are standard fitment on all gt2's.

Kinda defeats the point of a "stock" record if the car isn't using factory rubber doesn't it? (I'm not sure if the vette, viper, nissan etc were or were not.

I no for sure the Porsche GT2 RS ACR Viper C6 and ZR-1 used the Michellin Pilot Sport tire.

I think the GTR was on the same Bridgestone RE070 tyre upto 3 years ago but definitely switched to a higher performing Dunlop DSST Semi.

[dnalunchie]

GTR initially used thr RE070 as did the NSXR and the S2000CR (last special edition) and all sti's use them

In the 2005 sti vs evo write up 3 different motoring mags credited the RE070 with giving the sti the win over the evo. pity they are around $400bucks per tyre. I would say the new adrenalin 002 is pretty good too and only $250ish per tyre.

If I had the cash I woulds tick RE070 on all my cars but they are a special import only now

[d1 mule]

If I had the cash I woulds tick RE070 on all my cars but they are a special import only now

89 Corona

lol

[VR-4Squid]

GTR initially used thr RE070
<snip>
pity they are around $400bucks per tyre.

Ah I see, budget tyres.

The michelins are $950 each for the front and $1580 each for the rears for a GT2


http://europeantechnique.com.au/michelin/Tyres/pilot%20tyre.htm

[Makaveli]

LFA vs GTR reminds me of the old 2000GT vs Fairlady Z (240Z) battle. Nissan sports cars are mass produced, good value for money.

LFA & 2000GT - very rare cars. High Performance & Very exclusive. Hand Built & I believe the quality is far superior. Also I believe in the long run LFA will appreciate in value rather than depreciate like GTR. Just have a look at auction prices for 2000GT. If I had the money, I would buy an LFA anyday over GTR.

GTR is heavy, & AWD, too much electronics does all the work for the driver. LFA is a true drivers car.

[Makaveli]

Nice example for sale in Japan in Red.





http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/LEXUS/LFA/700020144820120526002/index.html

[dnalunchie]

GTR initially used thr RE070
<snip>
pity they are around $400bucks per tyre.

Ah I see, budget tyres.

The michelins are $950 each for the front and $1580 each for the rears for a GT2


http://europeantechnique.com.au/michelin/Tyres/pilot%20tyre.htm

the GTR size are $700 each, I was quoting on STI size 225 45 17

[dnalunchie]

the current shape 2012 GTR will destroy the LFA on pretty much any track except maybe one with mostly highspeed corners. However I would rather own the LFA anyday, much more exclusive.
Its also important to bare in mind that the current 2012 gtr is a very different beast to the 2008 one

[VR-4Squid]

GTR is heavy, & AWD, too much electronics does all the work for the driver. LFA is a true drivers car.

You've driven both to come to that conclusion?

Lucky man.

the GTR size are $700 each, I was quoting on STI size 225 45 17

I know, hence the in my post.

[dnalunchie]

I wish there was some way to truly know how the 250 odd doller tyres compare to the 500 buck pirellis or michilins or potenza's.

I mean the T1R or the adrenalin 002 is a great tyre but there has to be a reason why other tires cost twice as much right? its just so hard to judge as there is no real standard test unless you count magazine tests

[rollaholic]

anyone know where i can find the show to watch? sounds cool.

[2jayzgte]

the current shape 2012 GTR will destroy the LFA on pretty much any track except maybe one with mostly highspeed corners. However I would rather own the LFA anyday, much more exclusive.
Its also important to bare in mind that the current 2012 gtr is a very different beast to the 2008 one

How do you figure that???

The Nurburgring has every corner known to man but the 2012 GTR can't match it there so where you get this destroyed it line from is what I don't get.

[Lith]

The GTR was quicker than the Nur Spec LFA on Hockenheim and NS LFA is quicker on Nordschleife (funnily enough) and those are the only two tracks I have found lap times for both. I had to do a bunch of hunting to find tracks where the normal LFA beat the GTR and found two out of near a dozen track.

The 2013 model has had some quite decent development and there is no way it isn't going to knock time off it's previous accomplishments (the base spec has already done a 7:16 on Nordschleife which is only 1.5s off the specifically tuned for that track hero spec LFA) so I'd say it's very fair to suggest that the GTR has the edge over the LFA in most cases.

[2jayzgte]

But this goes back to my earlier comment you throw the same rubber at both cars I guarantee Ring Edition LFA cuts a good 5-6 seconds off that 7.14 laptime.

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2012/10/14/s ... prototype/

Make no mistake Lexus are still testing this car at the Ring while there are no hints to this being a future LFA they are still hard out testing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQSQtxm ... ure=relmfu

[Lith]

But this goes back to my earlier comment you throw the same rubber at both cars I guarantee Ring Edition LFA cuts a good 5-6 seconds off that 7.14 laptime.

Of course this means absolutely nothing unless it actually happens. Would be interesting to see, but I'm not convinced and I doubt I will be proved wrong. What is more likely is someone might put slicks on them then go REALLY quick, which I would love to see.