Lexus LF-A still on track

The global economic meltdown may have sounded the death knell for the eagerly awaited Honda NSX and showroom successor to the svelte BMW Concept CS, but at least Toyota (or rather its Lexus premium subsidiary) is pressing on with its plans to launch a production version of its LF-A supercar.

A report by UK's Autoexpress suggests Lexus will ready at least a couple of race-spec LF-As during 2009, with showroom-ready variants expected to follow shortly after (possibly in time for a Tokyo motor show debut on October 21).

Some overseas sources are speculating the looming launch signals a performance breakthrough for the LF-A, which has been spied pounding around the Nurburgring for the past several months.

Word around the traps was that it was unable to match the Nissan GT-R's cracking -- albeit disputed -- 7min 29sec lap of the 'Ring (more here), which had allegedly prevented Lexus from signing off on its development.

However, the news that a 2009 launch is on the cards suggests the LF-A may now have seized the upper hand in the crucial 'Ring-meister bragging rights war.

The Nurburgring is seen as the closest equivalent to real-world conditions that a racetrack that can be, which is why purveyors of high-po cars (as well as lesser offerings) choose to do much of their testing there.

Exact mechanical specs of the LF-A are yet to be revealed, but it's believed to be powered by a mid-front-mounted V10 that displaces around 4.8 litres, and this unit is expected to thrash out 411kW, propelling the pointy-beaked coupe to a top speed in excess of 330km/h.

The LF-A first came to light at the 2005 Detroit motor show, and a revised version with more completely furnished interior was unveiled at the same show in 2007

In 2007, Lexus UK director Steve Settle confirmed the LF-A would be offered with both V10 and hybrid powertrains, and the latter is likely to feature a V8-plus-electric-motor combo similar to that used by the LS 600h.

News of the LF-A's production green-light comes in the wake of Toyota's announcement it would record its first operating loss for the fiscal year that concludes next March as well as speculative reports that a leadership change is imminent for the car-making giant (more here).