O Melhor Carro Já Fabricado...Mas Ninguém Comprou, Por Que?

Summary

The video tells the story behind the Lexus LFA, a Japanese supercar that took 10 years and billions of dollars to develop. It focuses on the passion and dedication of the engineers, especially chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi, to create a world-class supercar and change perceptions about Lexus and Japanese cars. However, the LFA faced many obstacles, including internal resistance and the tragic death of legendary test driver Hiromu Naruse. Only 500 LFAs were produced before the project ended in 2012, but the car left a lasting legacy and boosted Lexus's reputation in high-performance vehicles.

Takeaways

• 😲 The video tells the story behind the Lexus LFA supercar, which took 10 years and billions of dollars to develop
• 👨‍🔧 The lead engineer Haro Tanahashi spearheaded the LFA's development despite initial resistance
• 🏎️ Famed Toyota test driver Hiromu Naruse provided crucial input on the LFA based on his racing experience
• 💰 The LFA's long development worried Toyota executives due to the massive spending without returns
• 💪 Akio Toyoda fought to keep the LFA project going and prove Lexus could make a supercar
• 🚗 The LFA debuted publicly at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show to great fanfare
• 🔧 The LFA's carbon fiber construction and exotic V10 engine caused debate within the traditionally conservative Lexus
• 🏁 The LFA posted disappointing results in its first Nurburgring 24 Hours race in 2009
• 😢 Hiromu Naruse died testing an LFA Nurburgring Edition model at the Nurburgring in 2013
• 🏆 Despite losses, the LFA established Lexus as a supercar maker and catalyzed improvements across Lexus and Toyota models

Q & A

What was the goal behind developing the Lexus LFA supercar?

The goal was for Toyota/Lexus to gain recognition and credibility in the supercar market, where they had little presence compared to European brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Who were the key people behind the LFA's development?

Haruhiko Tanahashi, the chief engineer, and Hiromu Naruse, a legendary Toyota test driver. Tanahashi oversaw the project and Naruse provided extensive input on performance and handling.

Why did the LFA take so long (around 10 years) to develop?

Toyota took an extremely meticulous approach to develop the LFA to the highest standards. Everything was hand-built and custom tuned, with no compromises on quality or engineering.

How was the LFA received when it debuted publicly in 2005?

It caused a big stir as nobody expected Lexus/Toyota to produce such an advanced supercar. The media reaction was very positive.

What happened during testing at Nurburgring in 2009?

The LFA performed very poorly, finishing 109th out of 220 cars. This was a big letdown after so much development time.

How did Hiromu Naruse die?

He died while testing an LFA prototype at the Nurburgring in 2013, crashing into two other test vehicles.

What made the LFA special from an engineering standpoint?

It had an ultra-high revving 4.8L V10 engine, carbon fiber construction, advanced aerodynamics, and Formula 1-style transmission. Everything was customizable.

Why didn't the LFA sell better despite its acclaim?

As a low-volume $375,000 supercar from Toyota/Lexus, it lacked the prestige and desirability of rival exotic European brands.

How many LFAs were built in total?

Only 500 total examples were built between 2010-2012. With such exclusivity, the LFA became an instant collectible.

What was the legacy of the LFA for Lexus?

It established Lexus as a true performance brand, paving the way for future sports cars like the LC 500. It also improved Toyota engineering and design.