Lexus LFA vs. Lexus LC 500 Drag Race Is Eargasmic

As a short history lesson, we'll mention that Lexus wanted to be taken seriously as a high-end automaker and in 2010 introduced the LFA supercar. It took a really long time to develop because halfway through they decided to switch from an aluminum body to carbon fiber fabrication which it had never played with before.

The result was one of the most special machines ever, with a super-lightweight naturally aspirated V10 engine that sounds like a cross between a racing bike and F1 car and an eye-watering price tag which eclipsed all the Italians at the time.

The 4.8-liter motor produces 552 horsepower and just 354 lb-ft of torque, sent from under the hood to the rear wheels via a six-speed robo-box. Meanwhile, the LC 500 is still naturally aspirated, though a performance LC F with over 600 HP from a twin-turbo has been rumored.

In any case, the updated 5-liter V8, familiar to many Lexus fans, produces 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, sent out through a 10-speed auto. The gap seems pretty small, but because the LFA is built around a carbon tub, it's about 770 lbs heavier (350 kg), which is like carrying four average people and their luggage.

It feels like the performance gap cannot b explained merely by looking at the specs. The LFA was tuned to drag race Ferraris, while the LC 500 doesn't have a sharp edge to it. Still, the naturally aspirated engines on both cars sound way better than what those Germans are using. Still, the AWD sedan powerhouses are uncomfortably close. It feels like the two coupes have nothing in common, but only the Lexus brand has this kind of attention to detail when making fast cars.