Lexus LFA supercar is finally here

Ah, yes, this day has finally come. For many years, we have been hearing about the ultimate Lexus supercar, called LFA. We saw the

LF-A concept car

at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, and have been hearing about rumors ever since.

But now, Lexus finally released details on the production version of the LFA supercar, which will be out in late 2010 as a 2011 model. Lexus will be showing the LFA at the 2009 SEMA show next month, and at the LA Auto Show in December, making its rounds to other auto shows throughout next year.

The Lexus LFA will serve as Lexus’ flagship car, with only 500 models being built worldwide, ever, each being built custom order (you won’t see any in the showroom) and no more than 20 produced per month.

The production LFA holds many of the same styling cues from the concept car, but makes some significant changes as well, giving it a much less extreme look, though the last thing I would call it is dull. The body and chassis will both be constructed from Lexus’ own Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) structure, promising higher quality and development of future production methods. The CFRP structure also allows Lexus designers the opportunity to give the LFA more extreme styling cues that wouldn’t be possible with standard metal, such as the sharp trailing edges in the rear.

The real superstar in the Lexus LFA is the powerplant, which consists of a high-revving, mid-mounted, 552 horsepower, 4.8-liter V10 engine mated to a six-speed paddle-shifted transmission, giving the LFA a top speed of 202 mph. Power will be routed strictly to the rear wheels, and carbon-ceramic brakes ensure the car’s ability to stop on a dime.

The interior seats two, and is finished with carbon fiber accents, a futuristic floating center console, and some of the coolest gauges this side of Aston Martin.

Lexus will begin accepting LFA orders today, with prices ranging from $350,000 to $375,000, depending on the options. A fairly high price, but considering its rarity, it can be turned into a collector's car immediately.