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Requiem for a Dream Machine: The Lexus LFA’s Fathers Reflect on Its Life [Video]

For fans of Japanese supercars, December 12, 2012 can easily be called the Day the Music Died. It was on that day that Lexus completed the 500^th – and last – LFA. However, a few weeks before that rather somber occasion, the crew of MotorTrend’s YouTube channel traveled to Japan to visit the LFA factory and document the building of the last handful of cars. More importantly, they interviewed the men who played pivotal roles in the short, glorious life of the most extreme production car ever to come out of all of Toyota, much less its Lexus division.

As the LFA’s guardians explain, the LFA isn’t like other supercars…which was their intent. Moreover, it’s proudly Japanese in its construction, design, and overall ethos. It is a shrieking, atmo-V10-hearted siren that works with its surroundings, not against them. We know, we know: It’s ate up with computer, has neither a proper manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic, and was made by the company that brings the world vehicles that are among the leading triggers of adult-onset narcolepsy. But here’s the thing, kids: The Lexus LFA was a classic when it was in production, and will only become more classic with the passage of time. Those of you who dispute this can kindly go slather your tongues with wasabi.

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SEMA Show 2009: Lexus LFA & Lexus IS350C By Various Tuners Make Big Waves

In Car Events / By Ari Cox / 9 November 2009

Lexus had a very engaging display this year at the 2009 SEMA Show, representing a performance-minded side that is just now starting to be truly embraced by the company. In a nice layout adjacent to the Convention Center, sitting quiety ouside, were four IS350C variations from top tuners along with one real 2011 LFA supercar making its U.S. debut (after last week’s worldwide debut at the Tokyo Motor Show).

The Lexus IS has always been viewed as sort of a second-class citizen in the luxury sports car market, competing against the likes of the BMW 3-Series and the Infinity G35/37. It didn’t necessarily have the fit and finish nor the chutzpah of its competitors, but with rear-wheel drive, excellent handling and a lightweight stiff chassis, it has always been a contender. Now, with the company’s F-Sport line of tuning parts from the venerable TRD and the new 2011 LFA halo vehicle, Lexus has seriously upped the ante.

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