Talk Back Tuesday: What Makes a Supercar Truly Super?
I feel bad for Lexus. And it's not often I feel bad for a vehicle manufacturer, especially one swimming in cash (and trust me, even with its recent financial woes Toyota is still swimming in billions of dollars).
But the introduction of the Lexus LFA has me seriously concerned. Not about the company's long-term outlook -- Toyota has too much money and too many strong products to be in any serious trouble. But I fear the next couple years could be very painful for Toyota's top-line dealers, and I don't see the LFA helping their cause.
First, every premium brand is facing an uphill battle to maintain sales in this emerging "rather-save-my-money-than-impress-the-neighbors" era. It's called value, and people are (thankfully, IMHO) finally considering it when making a vehicle purchase. Don't believe me? Check out our data showing how premium SUV sales have TANKED in the last couple years.
Second, while the Lexus LFA offers impressive technical and performance specs these can't overcome the inherent weaknesses in its supercar pedigree. A single-clutch automated transmission in a 2011 model that costs $400,000? That questionable technology is already a decade old. And even a 3.7-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 202 mph, as amazing as those numbers sound, really aren't class leading in today's supercar field.
Which begs the question: What makes a supercar truly super?
1. Superior Styling: Yeah-yeah -- beauty, eye, beholder and all that. The bottom line is, a supercar has to look "good." How do you define good? Well, here's how I would define it: at least 50% of the target audience must find the design compelling on some level? If a car's design achieves this it passes. If not, it fails. And I put this trait first because in my mind an unappealing supercar design might has well be a paperweight -- it serves no viable function. Do you think at least 50% of the target audience will find the LFA's design compelling?
2. Superior Performance: You'll note the word "super" is a major component in the word "superior." Any vehicle trying to pass itself off as a supercar better have the moxie to back it up. For 2010- no, make that 2011 because that's the year being associated with the LFA. For 2011, superior performance worthy of $400,000 would, in my mind, require a 0-60 time of less than 3.7 seconds and a top speed over 205 mph. The LFA barely achieves one and misses the other.
3. Superior Driving Experience: I look at the LFA's spec sheet and two things jump out at me: electrically-assisted steering and the aforementioned single-clutch, automated manual. I've experienced these technologies in many different vehicles, each of them executed with varying degrees of success. But I've never experienced either with the level of successful execution worthy of a $400,000 supercar. Who knows, maybe Lexus will surprise me...
4. Not-stupid Value: Yes, I just used the word "value" in a discussion of supercar traits. But this goes to my earlier point about the new approach by much of today's society. No, I don't expect rich folks to suddenly register with Costco and eschew designer clothing. But almost everyone is putting a more critical eye on what they pay and what they get when making a purchase. And simply put, I don't think the LFA will benefit from this increasing focus on value (ironic when you consider what Lexus' initial brand philosophy was back in 1989).
So is the LFA a truly successful supercar? I think you know my opinion, now I'd like to hear yours.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer October 27, 2009, 6:00 AM
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- Ford GT, Lexus, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Lexus LFA
The biggest boat anchor the LFA is dragging around is that name on the hood: Toyota. As in, Toyota's a name that you attach to six-figure cars about as readily (actually, slightly less-readily) as Volkswagen.
Case in point: The Chevrolet Corvette. No matter how well it runs with the Ferrari's, Porsche's, etc., it'll never have the snob value to justify a six-figure price tag. And to their credit, GM has always understood that.
You wanna talk six-figures? That hood better be saying Lexus - at least. And let's face it. Six figure supercars are as much about snob value as outright performance.
Interesting points and I kind of agree. I think a car like this should be absolutely mesmerizing - stunning to look at (from every angle) and with mind boggling performance. I find myself with a ho-hum reaction to this one. I am sure there are many very impressive aspects but as a whole, I am not feeling it. Personally I think I was more intrigued by the GT-R at this stage of the game. However, I think the engine is beautifully detailed and unique in appearance and, I enjoyed the sounds from it both inside the car and from the exhaust.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I'm glad I'm not on the hot seat at Toyota with, at the very least, my fingers crossed.
Follow-up - As I clicked "submit" I noticed that you mentioned the Ford GT in the categories. This made me think / compare the two. The GT undoubtedly had and has the WOW factor that this car seems to be missing. And when I think of other cars in the 400 or less category there are more than a few that catch your eye and mind and make you think "WOW".....lots and lots of competition for this LFA.
From what I've read, this car appears to be RWD. I would think that AWD would be desired in terms of harnessing all that power, not to mention for plan ol' braggin' rights. So, in my book, it's "less super" than I think it should be.
I think this car would be more competitive in the market if it were $220k less expensive. That would put it more in line with other cars with similar performance like Lambo Gallardo (e-gear), R8 V10 and F430/458.
Regarding item 1 superior styling, a supercar needs to look extremely fast while standing still. Probably not going to be able to talk your way out of a speeding ticket if stopped while driving a supercar.
Regarding item 2 superior performance, a supercar is a street legal race car for people more likely to follow Formula 1 than NHRA or NASCAR. It should be capable of superior performance on a road course in the form of great lap times, not just straight line acceleration and top speed.
I think a supercar, nay, any car, is based on value. I'm not just talking cost here. In my mind, a supercar just does everything right. It's a perfect balance of speed, performance, luxury, cachet, looks, cost, and wonder.
A supercar exceeds one's expectations by providing such a phenomenal combination of all these things. When it achieves that, the car suddenly has the 'it' factor. The car becomes something people fall in love with.
To me, supercars range in price from the Ariel Atom to the Bugatti Veyron. It ranges in performance from the straightline-only Viper to the agile Enzo. It can be a spartan FXX or a luxurious M5. In all these cases, the car is an exceptional value for the soul.
There's one thing you forgot to mention, but sort of relates to value: racing pedigree. Ferrari has it. Lamborghini has it. Almost every super car has it (I think Pagoni is the exception). Toyota? Not so much. So how is it that they can come up with a car and automatically call it a super car? It can't. It might sound like one, but it isn't. Same goes for the Lexus $380,000 batmobile. It's attention fodder (as exemplified by only making 500 of these Toyotas).
I think they were trying to establish its racing pedigree by competing in those 24 hours races and having the race car version at the shows.
Personally I think it's wayyy over priced, or lacking in technology. Especially the transmission.
But then again they are only making 500 so the exclusivity alone has got to be worth something to some people. Don't forget, just because you have money doesn't mean you have taste, or can drive
Is this a MUGEN type deal where there is a special vehicles team created by the son of some exec? Did the ISF do so well that there is a successor?
I went to a dealership to look at the ISF... Single Clutch automated transmission in AWD, manual in the IS 250 only, unexciting, noncompeting car with a very unattractive price tag...
Lexus didn't learn anything from the ISF?
Put together a japanese m3 competitor, 400hp, great manual transmission and a 50k pricetag? Maybe you'll sell a few, still, I don't know that Lexus is known for its performance... Some companies (e.g. Buick) should probably stick to their niche.
"racing pedigree...Toyota? Not so much."
F1?
Sabastian--I resign to the fact that I don't know much about F1 racing. I know for a fact that Honda contributes racing engines and has/had a sponsored team, but I wasn't sure on Toyota. (Please enlighten me if that's not the case.)
I don't consider having a racing version of a car for a show and racing in one race to be a pedigree. I'm thinking years of competition/winning as a pedigree.
Toyota's been racing in F1 since 2000, but they reached 2nd place at Le Mans before that, and Toyota was in rallying for a while too. They have a significant presence in the Japanese racing scene, but we wouldn't hear much about that here.
So I wouldn't say they have much racing pedigree, but certainly more than Pagani, Koenigsegg, and even Lamborghini. More importantly, Toyota has enthusiast fans because of the sports cars they used to make. They're the target for this car.
The single clutch system is a genuine strike against the LF-A, but I think people shopping for a supercar know which brand they want to buy from before they hear anything about the cars' specs. That's especially true of performance, which is so easy to attain these days that it hardly matters. All Toyota needs is 500 rich Toyota/Lexus loyalists and I suspect they'll find them.
Karl... my biggest question is your first point.
"The bottom line is, a supercar has to look "good." How do you define good? Well, here's how I would define it: at least 50% of the target audience must find the design compelling on some level?"
How do you define the target audience? People who are willing to shell out $400,000 for a Toyota or people who are willing to aspire to one?
This car isn't extreme enough to be appreciated by those who can afford it (for the purpose of selling 500 of them) in my opinion... and even for a 21 year old like myself entering his final semester in college it does nothing for me. Nifty engine sound, but for about a quarter of the price, ZR-1, please.
For a car to aspire to, this hardly makes me gravitate towards Toyota/Lexus as a brand. Despite years out of being in production, I still aspire to one day get a Ford GT.
I believe a supercar must be iconic in some way to really make it desirable. You can get enough people with money to buy a 599, but for me it doesn't mean that much. A Countach is still something that gives me pause. Even if I see this on the road I'll wonder why that person spent that much money on such a car instead of an SLS or a Murcielago.
looks like a boy racer, rather than a super car. Lexus should have tried to develop a car rivaling the likes of M6 or S5 instead of a Ferrari or Lambo. Why would one spend $350,000 on a Lexus, when one can buy a Aston Martin , or any other super car. I am pretty sure Porsche 911 GT editions are more of supercar than the Lexus LFA.
looks like a boy racer, rather than a super car. Lexus should have tried to develop a car rivaling the likes of M6 or S5 instead of a Ferrari or Lambo. Why would one spend $350,000 on a Lexus, when one can buy a Aston Martin , or any other super car. I am pretty sure Porsche 911 GT editions are more inline with super cars than the Lexus LFA.