$375K Japanese supercar (2010-2012) that automotive journalists called “the best sounding car ever made.” 500 units produced, most leased-only. Now worth $1M+.
Development Hell
10-year development (2000-2010). Originally aluminum chassis, switched mid-development to carbon fiber (65% CFRP). $300M+ R&D for 500-unit run = financial disaster, engineering masterpiece.
The V10 Symphony
4.8L Yamaha-developed V10, 9,000 rpm redline, 560 hp. Digital tach needed (analog couldn’t keep up). Exhaust note described as “F1 car,” “angels singing.” YouTube sound compilations = millions of views.
Lease-Only Strategy
Lexus feared flippers. Lease-only program ($12K/month, 2-year terms). Customers couldn’t buy until lease ended. Strategy failed (leases expired, values soared anyway).
Cultural Resurrection
Ignored at launch ($375K for a Lexus?!), appreciated posthumously. 2015+ values doubled ($500K), tripled ($750K), hit $1M+ by 2022. Automotive press: “We were wrong.”
Legacy
#LexusLFA = analog supercar peak. Manual transmission (optional), hydraulic steering, naturally aspirated V10 swan song. “They’ll never make anything like this again” sentiment. Nürburgring Edition (50 units, $445K) = $1.5M+ today.
https://www.lexus.com/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a32828/lexus-lfa-retrospective/