Lexus adds more performance with the LFA Nürburgring Package

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 built during 2012, the second full year of LFA production.

To sharpen the car’s circuit driving performance even further by increasing down force 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.

LFA production began last 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 and it’s this that hand-crafting that dictates the rate at which cars can be produced. It’s interesting to note that CFRP accounts for about 65 per cent of the LFA’s body structure weight and saves around 100kg when compared to an equivalent all-aluminium body.

Given the sheer time taken to build each LFA and the low production volume of just 500 cars, the LFA is unlikely to be remembered as a profitable model for the Toyota group, but it is undoubtedly the best sounding car to come from Japan and the Nürburgring Package makes it just a little more special than it already was.

You can see the LFA Nürburgring Package at next week’s Geneva Motor Show and we’ll also have more images from the event here at SkiddMark.

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