Lexus LF-A

The appointment of racing enthusiast Akio Toyoda as Toyota CEO has breathed new life into the Lexus LF-A project. After being frozen some months ago the car has recently been thawed and spied testing around the Nurburgring. Speculation is that a near-production model will appear at this month's Tokyo Motor Show. Lexus will only confirm that a two-seat supercar will make its world premier at the show. "This concept vehicle epitomizes the purest form of driving exhilaration and performance," a statement says.

The LF-A has been under development since its debut as a concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Back then company top brass spoke of a 200mph sports car to compete with the likes of Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 430. Since then spies have caught it on and off doing testing around the ‘Ring as well as other places. Word speaks of a V10 powerplant worth over 368kW (500hp).

Great things are expected of Lexus' first ever supercar, not least of all handling prowess. While many manufacturers put cars on the ‘Ring that only belong in a circus ring, the LF-A really needs to be much more if it is to successfully take on established players like the Nissan GT-R. The rumoured V10 with a speculated 405kW (550hp) can be heard twice pulling away from the filling station. Even the shooter can't help but exclaim at the glorious sounds the black and white pair make during their quick getaway.