Lexus just releases new photos and details for the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package ,which will debut at the Geneva auto show next week.
The package celebrates Lexus’ class victories at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring last May. Lexus isn’t actually adding to LFA production; instead, the automaker says that 50 of the 500 cars set to be built will be equipped with the package.
Available in Matte Black, Black, White or Orange, the interior can be had in Black and Red, Black and Purple or all Black. Plus, all Nurburgring editions get added carbon fiber interior bits, plus carbon racing seats.
Power is also on the up. From the standard 4.8-litre V10 with 560 PS (412 kW / 553 bhp) comes a new power figure of 570 PS (419 kW / 562 bhp) and reduced gearshift times. Performance times are also down; 0 - 62mph flashes by in 3.7 seconds and top speed is 325 km/h (202 mph).
The automated manual six-speed transmission’s shift regime has been recalibrated too, swopping gears in only 15 miliseconds, thereby enabling the LFA Nürburgring package to sprint from 0-100km/h in only 3.7 seconds.
Press Release
LEXUS PRESENTS LFA NÜRBURGRING PACKAGE
- Lexus reveals special performance package for its LFA supercar at the Geneva motor show
- Nürburgring Package offered as an option on a maximum of 50 cars - just 10 per cent of the total LFA production run
- Designed for more track-focused performance through additional aerodynamic elements, lowered suspension and engine revisions
- 10bhp increase in power from V10 engine to 562bhp ensures LFA's 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.7 seconds is maintained
- LFA production underway since December, with one hand-crafted car completed per day
- Use of advanced, automated Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) production processes serves as a test bed for future models
To celebrate the LFA's hat-trick of class wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, Lexus has created the Nürburgring Package, an array of aerodynamic features, suspension adjustments and revisions to the 4.8-litre V10 engine that give the supercar a more track-focused profile. Shown in public for the first time at the Geneva motor show, the performance option is available on just 50 of the 500 cars that will be built. These versions will be crafted during 2012, the second full year of LFA production.
To sharpen the car's circuit driving performance even further by increasing downforce at high speed, the Nürburgring Package introduces modifications and additions to several key carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components. These include a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin and a fixed rear wing.
To ensure the LFA maintains its 3.7-second acceleration time from nought to 62mph, in spite of the increased drag, the V10 engine has been revised to increase maximum power by 10bhp to 562bhp. Shift times in the six-speed sequential transmission are just 0.15 seconds.
In terms of handling modifications, the package features suspension tuning and a 10mm reduction in the ride height. Exclusive mesh-type wheels are introduced, fitted with dedicated high-grip tyres.
Exterior colour choices are restricted to matte black, black, white or orange, with interiors finished in black and red, black and purple and all-black. Cars delivered in Europe will feature a carbon fibre centre console and door trims, with carbon fibre sports seats finished in Alcantara.
Customers who specify the package will also be offered one-to-one driving tuition from a Nürburgring chief instructor and a year's pass to enjoy their car on the famous Nordschleife circuit.
CFRP parts manufacturing
LFA production began in December with just one hand-crafted car completed per day. A team of 175 people are involved in CFRP parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting.
CFRP is exceptionally strong, rigid and lightweight, and accounts for about 65 per cent of the LFA's body structure weight. This amounts to a saving of about 100kg, compared an equivalent all-aluminium body.
Lexus is producing and assembling the CFRP components in-house, with a view to future development of the technology. It is a time-consuming process, compared to working with steel or aluminium, but the LFA project provides a valuable test bed for new, automated processes which will be used in the manufacture of future Lexus and Toyota models.
Different manufacturing technologies are used according the shape, role and required properties of each component.
- Pre-preg: this is an industry-standard composite sheet material made of carbon fibre, pre-impregnated with epoxy resin. It is used for the LFA's main structural elements, such as the dash, side and cross-members and panels.
- Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): this is dry sheet fabrication, with epoxy resin injected into the mould. It is mainly employed in the LFA's secondary main frames, such as the crash boxes, roof side rails and vehicle floor.
- Carbon fibre - Sheet Moulding Compound (C-SMC): this is used for fabricating the upper body components and frames that have complex geometries.
Adhesive bonding
The LFA assembly line moves through five consecutive processes, each of which has been digitally validated. For the first four - sub-assembly, underbody, small aluminium parts and main body - adhesive bonding is used. Final assembly of the aluminium parts is by mechanical fastening.
This is the first time Lexus has used adhesive bonding for main body assembly, a process that has required new quality control measures to be implemented to ensure each of the five stages involved in the bonding meets the required criteria.
