Performance Review: Lexus LFA Nurburgring - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus LFA Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Lexus LFA has a 4805cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The LFA shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the LFA's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Lexus LFA Nurburgring in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus LFA shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 4805cc 40V V10 engine produces 563 bhp (419 kW) @ 8700 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 354 lb-ft (479.9 Nm) @ 6800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus LFA you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus LFA.

The Lexus LFA has a Power to weight ratio of 380.4 bhp per ton and 239.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 LFA competing with the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (400.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus LFA generating around 239.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed (263.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake (263.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.8 secs, this made the Lexus LFA Nurburgring as fast as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs). This Lexus LFA Nurburgring is also faster than the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the and the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the LFA and the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby

When talking about the performance of the Lexus LFA on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.42 secs @ 119.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby (11.36 secs), the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 (11.36 secs), and the 2004 Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 (11.36 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring has a maximum speed of 202mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 LFA equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Lexus LFA Nurburgring then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

2011 LFA Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison