But the Lexus has one figure that exceeds all its likely rivals: its price. You can get your hands on one for ¥37,500,000 including taxes (approximately US$455,000) and even then Lexus won’t recoup anywhere near what it has spent developing the LFA; only 500 will be made, with production starting this month. Profit isn’t the point, of course; this car exists to showcase its maker’s technical abilities and stretch its engineers.
But the PR benefit could backfire if we expect twice the excitement of a Ferrari for twice the money. So does the LFA justify that eye- watering sticker price? Objectively, it’s not worth double the price of a Lamborghini, but for the 500 lucky enough to get one this won’t be a rational purchase; owning the ultimate Japanese supercar, and one capable – at the first attempt – of holding its own next to its aristocratic adversaries will be worth the price of admission.
