Lexus Releases New Photos of Geneva-Bound LFA Nürburgring Edition

After providing us with an initial batch of three photos of its LFA Nürburgring Edition, Lexus today unleashed more than a dozen new pictures of the more track-orientated version of its supercar. Built to celebrate the LFA's hat-trick of class wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, the limited edition will be shown in public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1.

The Nürburgring performance package is available on only 50 of the 500 LFA cars that will be built, with all of these versions to be crafted during 2012, the second full year of LFA production.

The LFA Nürburgring Edition sports a more powerful version of the front-mounted 4.8-liter V10 engine producing 562bhp (+10bhp), while changes to the six-speed sequential transmission drop shift times from 0.20 to 0.15 seconds.

Despite the power boost and faster gearbox, due to the increased drag from the aerodynamic enhancements that were made to augment downforce at high speed and include a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin and a fixed rear wing, the Nürburgring Edition maintains the standard LFA's 3.7 second 0-100km/h (62 mph) sprint time and 325 km/h (202 mph) top speed.

Other revisions include a more hardcore suspension tuning and a 10mm reduction in the ride height plus exclusive mesh-type wheels fitted with dedicated high-grip tires.

Exterior color options for the limited edition model are restricted to matte black, black, white or orange, with interiors finished in black and red, black and purple and all-black. According to Lexus, cars delivered in Europe will feature a carbon fibre centre console and door trims, with carbon fibre sports seats finished in Alcantara.

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VIDEO: Lexus LFA Meets Hot Dutch Supermodel in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition

Normally, the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition wouldn't be something that you'd read about or see on Carscoop, but being that Lexus is involved in the 2011 issue, we....couldn't leave you in the dark about the LFA's presence in the photo shoot with Dutch supermodel Rianne Ten Haken.

Now, if you're still with us and haven't used the zoom function for a closer inspection of Miss Ten Haken, in the hands of Rhys Millen, the Japanese firm's 552-HP, V10 supercar ran -in Lexus' own words- "multiple high-speed donuts around the model to create the imagery for the sizzling four-page spread." Now spread your wings over the jump to watch the video clip.

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Lexus Offers Special Driver Lessons to LFA Owners [with Video]

Owning a supercar like the Lexus LFA is not always a walk in the park. With 552HP on tap, it has enough oomph to get you in serious trouble and, given the $375,000 price tag and limited run of just 500 units, it would be a shame to wrap this beast around a tree. So, it’s definitely good news that Lexus will offer a driver development program for LFA owners that will run from March 8 to 15, at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

Racing professionals will provide expert guidance during the one-day program, which includes theoretical and track lapping sessions, performance limit exercises and technical demonstrations.

“This program offers a unique opportunity to experience the 552 horsepower Lexus LFA supercar in its natural environment,” said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. “Lapping Infineon and tips from the professional drivers will certainly enhance the overall LFA ownership experience.”

First presented as a concept model at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, the production version LFA was finally shown in October 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Still, it took another year until it went into production, with the first units being delivered in the U.S. last month. The entire batch of 500 units is expected to be delivered by 2012 and, according to Lexus, there are still a limited number of LFAs available for purchase.

In the videos below, you can see the reactions of one of the first owners to take delivery of the LFA (allegedly in Costa Rica), upon getting behind the wheel.

By Csaba Daradics

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Lexus LFA Nürburgring to get its First Public Outing in Geneva

Nearly 3 months after the start of production of the standard LFA, Lexus will debut the more track-focused Nürburgring Edition at the Geneva Motor Show in March. While we've known about the bespoke version of the LFA since May, 2010, according to the Japanese automaker, this is the first time that the supercar will be shown in public.

Available as a special package on the options list, Lexus will build a maximum of 50 Nürburgring Editions out of a total of 500 LFAs. The limited production model gets additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions to improve handling and downforce, increases the V10 engine output by 10bhp to 562bhp and speeds up gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission.

In the United States, the Nürburgring package is priced at $70,000 while a Matte black finish carries an additional cost of $20,000. The MSRP of the standard LFA is $375,000.

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