It is hard to say what is new technology and what is a new application of technology in the Lexus LFA. Just as important is the question of why Lexus, a luxury carmaker, would want to build one of the world’s best supercars.
The answers are intertwined and can only be separated with difficulty. Starting with the latter question of why, the answer actually fits within the Lexus philosophy of building the best possible car. Engineers felt that the goal of building a world-class luxury car has been met and they intend to keep improving, which is why the slogan of “L Finesse” stands for the relentless pursuit of perfection. Now the luxury is to be applied to performance, which brings Lexus to compete with cars like the Aston Martin DBS, Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari 599 GTB.
To pick areas where technology use has been taken to the limit by Lexus is an interesting, but not impossible task.
The most obvious bit of technological advancement comes in the production of the body. Originally designed as an all-metal structure, the use of carbon fibre reduced the body weight by close to 300 pounds (136 kg). Sculpting part of the body from carbon fibre also allowed for improving downforce and aerodynamics while letting designers utilize an edgy and radical body design.
To manufacture the body and maintain the maximum amount of strength, Lexus engineers, in conjunction with their sister company Toyoda Automatic Loom Works (part of the worldwide Toyota Group), developed a special loom that could weave carbon fibre into the specialized shapes such as the door pillars that the designers called for. This new process is proprietary, and while reluctant to talk about it, Lexus will say the parts are stronger and of better quality than any that were previously on the market.
Another newly adapted technology is found in the seat belt-mounted airbags. Apparently the roofline of the LFA precludes mounting side-curtain airbags, so Lexus engineers went to work figuring out where such a necessary (and mandated) piece of safety equipment could go. Their solution was to develop a whole new airbag and mount it in the shoulder belt portion of the seat belts. Other airbags for driver and passenger are mounted in the more conventional locations.
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| Photo: Lexus |
The answers are intertwined and can only be separated with difficulty. Starting with the latter question of why, the answer actually fits within the Lexus philosophy of building the best possible car. Engineers felt that the goal of building a world-class luxury car has been met and they intend to keep improving, which is why the slogan of “L Finesse” stands for the relentless pursuit of perfection. Now the luxury is to be applied to performance, which brings Lexus to compete with cars like the Aston Martin DBS, Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari 599 GTB.
To pick areas where technology use has been taken to the limit by Lexus is an interesting, but not impossible task.
The most obvious bit of technological advancement comes in the production of the body. Originally designed as an all-metal structure, the use of carbon fibre reduced the body weight by close to 300 pounds (136 kg). Sculpting part of the body from carbon fibre also allowed for improving downforce and aerodynamics while letting designers utilize an edgy and radical body design.
To manufacture the body and maintain the maximum amount of strength, Lexus engineers, in conjunction with their sister company Toyoda Automatic Loom Works (part of the worldwide Toyota Group), developed a special loom that could weave carbon fibre into the specialized shapes such as the door pillars that the designers called for. This new process is proprietary, and while reluctant to talk about it, Lexus will say the parts are stronger and of better quality than any that were previously on the market.
Another newly adapted technology is found in the seat belt-mounted airbags. Apparently the roofline of the LFA precludes mounting side-curtain airbags, so Lexus engineers went to work figuring out where such a necessary (and mandated) piece of safety equipment could go. Their solution was to develop a whole new airbag and mount it in the shoulder belt portion of the seat belts. Other airbags for driver and passenger are mounted in the more conventional locations.
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| Photo: Lexus |