To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' St. Moritz event, 17 September 2021.
Estimate:
CHF550,000 - CHF700,000

• Finished in Whitest White over Blue leather interior
• Serial no. 211 of 500 total LFAs produced between 2010 and 2012; one of just 44 LHD examples clad in Whitest White
• Powered by a 552 hp 4.8-litre V-10 engine
• 6,096 km from new at time of cataloguing

The Lexus LFA came about as the pet project of Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, who—after years of overseeing the mass production of road cars—wanted to build a supercar to challenge those being offered by the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche. The project’s development phase became excruciatingly lengthy, but when the car was finally unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, it was immediately clear that the Japanese marque had produced something truly remarkable.

Arguably the most notable highlight was the car’s 552-horsepower 4.8-liter V-10 engine, co-developed with Yamaha and built in the same facility that made the V-10 powertrain used in Formula 1 by Toyota Racing. The block is a space-age blend of aluminium, magnesium, and titanium alloy, which made it smaller than an equivalent V-8 and lighter than even an equivalent V-6. The pistons are produced from forged aluminium and the connecting rods and valves constructed from titanium. The supremely advanced internals permitted for razor-sharp throttle response, allowing the V-10 to rev from idle to 9,000 rpm in just six-tenths of a second. The engine produces an impressive 480 Newton-metres of torque, with 90 percent available from 3,700 rpm.

Inside, the LFA’s instrument cluster is all-digital, solely because no analogue tachometer could keep pace with the engine’s ability to gain and lose revolutions. This miraculous powerplant is mated to a lightning-quick, six-speed automated sequential manual transmission. The LFA’s unique exhaust note is unrivalled among modern supercars and is undoubtedly worth the price of admission.

With its radical styling and powerful V-10 engine, the LFA exudes automotive awe. One of its great achievements lies in its construction. The LFA has a curb weight of just over 3,200 pounds, with a near-perfect weight distribution of 48:52 thanks to the liberal use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, aluminium, magnesium, and titanium alloys. The 500-example production run lasted from late 2010 to 2012. Overall, 436 “standard” LFAs were produced in conjunction with 64 “Nürburgring Package” examples.

This stunning LFA offered here is serial number 211 of the 436 “standard” examples produced, and one of just 44 left-hand drive examples clad in the Whitest White paintwork. Completed in November 2011, it left the factory destined for the Middle East market. As with each LFA, the cabin is a completely bespoke affair. This particular example was specified with a Blue interior, featuring blue carpets, leather upholstery, dashboard door cards, a carbon fibre-and-leather clad steering wheel, and gloss carbon fibre accents with aluminium trim. This vibrant suite of interior appointments ties in very well with the car’s exterior paintwork, blue brake callipers, and Dark Premium Metallic 20-inch wheels.

This LFA was registered in Qatar on 27 June 2013 to its first and only owner; it was subsequently registered in Switzerland on 20 July 2021, after which it received a service at Toyota Gazoo Racing of Cologne, Germany. The Lexus has covered 6,096 kilometres at time of cataloguing, and it is accompanied by the factory spare alloy wheel and fire extinguisher.

The LFA’s stunning performance, astounding drivetrain capabilities, exotic construction, and sharp styling have all contributed to its enduring mystique and collectability—and all of these qualities are manifest in this immensely appealing, sparingly driven example.

Please note that contrary to the printed catalogue this car was not serviced by Emil Frey Lexus, it was serviced by Toyota Gazoo Racing in Cologne, Germany. The invoice is available on file.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/sm21.