MORE THAN JUST A SHOW CAR: Lexus has entered its LF-A concept in a 24-hour race at the Nuerburgring in Germany.

The Lexus LF-A concept car will participate in the Nuerburgring 24-hour race on May 24–25, 2008 as part of ongoing development.

Lexus engineers say testing the car on the famous circuit for 24 hours under gruelling race conditions will provide them with a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge that can be used to develop it for the road.

The LF-A is not a dedicated race car and will only be equipped with the safety equipment (roll cage, fuel tank, etc.) necessary to meet racing regulations.

It will be driven by a team of experienced Japanese drivers who’ll be briefed to provide feedback to the Lexus development team rather than crash or break the car trying to win the race

The LF-A concept has a V10 engine producing more than 370kW

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Lexus will assign a team of young mechanics as pit crew as part of the company’s commitment to the development of personal and technical skills.

The LF-A concept is powered by a front mid-mounted, high-revving V10 engine producing more than 370kW, with rear-mounted transmission and radiators to improve weight distribution and handling.

Lexus says its power and refined aerodynamics make a top speed of 320km/h not only possible, but probable.

The LF-A concept was originally shown in 2005 to express a new direction in Lexus styling; the goal for the LF-A racing programme, says the company, is “to build a supercar with world class performance that is uniquely Lexus.”

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