Spy shots: Lexus LF-A edges closer to production

The supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the Lexus LF-A, recently underwent a special kind of exhibition in Milan during Fashion Week, and now it has been spotted once again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at October's Tokyo Motor Show.
The LF-A has been spotted testing on a number of occasions, so it's well past the 'pure concept' stage, but its production future still remains murky at best. The Japanese company's investment in the LF-A at the recent Milan Fashion Week, however, lends credence to the idea that it is in fact going to be built, and this latest prototype features some new elements have never been seen before.

First and foremost are the new tail-lamps, which are likely to be the actual production units. Also new is the smoother body and integrated diffusers at the front and rear of the car.

If the LF-A does go into production, it is expected to cost more than $200,000 and sport a 5.0L V10 engine rated at over 500hp (373kW). Limited production is also the name of the game, with only about 1,000 units expected unless demand proves high enough to support more. A hybrid variant should also be available, but it’s unknown how much power this version will have or what affect the heavy batteries and extra motor will have on handling and weight.

The car's front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, should allow for excellent weight distribution, however. Lexus has billed the concept version of the car as having a top speed in excess of 200mph, and we have no reason to doubt the production version will reach these limits if sold unrestricted