Video highlights of this vehicle

What Is It?

Lexus LF-A Concept

What's Special About It?

The Lexus brand's passionate pursuit of perfection got a lot hotter here in Detroit. And it wasn't because designers found some gorgeous new variety of wood to install in a luxury sedan. Instead, company execs spoke of Formula One racing and exotic sports cars.

It wasn't just a lot of hot air. As the turntable pivoted toward the audience, the slippery lines of a racecar came into view. This was the LF-A. It's 2 inches shorter than a 911, but has a 9-inch longer wheelbase. Let loose on the street, it would serve up in excess of 500 horsepower from an engine with less than 5 liters of displacement, according to Lexus officials. Top speed is said to be "in the neighborhood" of 200 mph.

More than just a shell around a powerful engine, the LF-A is the culmination of two years of design work. We've seen glimpses of its styling cues before in the LF-S and LF-C concepts. Toyota Motor Corporation's head of design, Wahei Hirai, noted that while working on the LF-A, designers sought to avoid clutter and exaggeration inside and out.

Save for a rather blocky tail, the car is the model of simplicity on the outside. Inside, there's a minimum of controls. A large blue-lit tachometer stares the would-be driver in the face as he wraps his hands around the thick-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel.

What's Edmunds' Take?

Assuming the LF-A gives rise to the proper amount of enthusiasm and drooling, Lexus is fully prepared to build a limited-run production car similar to this concept. If the idea of driving or dreaming about a Lexus exotic is as enticing to you as it is to us, make your wishes known in the enthusiast forums. — Erin Riches