It’s been six years since the last Lexus LFA rolled off the production line and we still can’t get enough of this magnificent creation. Perhaps this is part of the reason why Lexus gave us the LC Coupe in the first place but that’s a topic for another time.
Carwow managed to secure a very rare (and very black) example of the mighty LFA to race against a LC500. While many of you might have guessed already the winner, it’s always interesting to see how the two models compare on a straight line.
The Lexus LFA is powered by what is considered by many one of the best internal combustion engines ever created for a passenger car; a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V10 co-developed with Yamaha with a dry sump and a redline at 9,000rpm. The output is rated at 552hp and 354lb-ft of torque but the highlights here are the jaw-dropping soundtrack and its ferocity while going through the rev band.
Lexus claimed back in the day that the engine can rev from idle to redline in just 0.6 seconds, forcing them to use a digital cluster as an analogue needle simply couldn’t keep up. The automatic transmission is a six-speed single-clutch item from Aisin while the chassis is a carbon monocoque with aluminum front and rear subframes. This is a hand-built supercar, whereas the LC500 is a series-production luxury GT.
Speaking of which, the current Lexus flagship comes with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine with 467hp and 389lb ft of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The slightly torquier engine is offset by the car’s weight, as the LC 500 tips the scales at 1,935kg (4,266 lbs) compared to the LFA’s 1,614kg (3,558lbs).
Want to hear some angry V10 and V8 noises? Of course you do.