My hot laps in the Lexus LFA at Infineon

Z K · 03-03-2012, 11:42 PM

There was a Lexus Performance Drive event for the new GS today at Infineon. At the event there was a timed autocross competition. The winner gets some hot laps around Infineon in the Lexus LFA... I had the fastest lap time of the session! I guess 14 years of autocross experience paid off today.

Here's a video of the hot laps. Please excuse the shaky camera and me giggling like a girl with asthma.

Crank the volume and listen to that soundtrack! When you are in the car, the sound tears into you and you FEEL it in your body and brings up a well of emotions only a car person would understand. I swear I had tears of joy coming out of my eyes after I got out and a perma-smile for the rest of the day.

SoTempted · 03-04-2012, 12:03 AM

I had to whip out the headphones for this one! The LFA soundtrack definitely makes up for the epileptic cameraman. I'd love to hear one of these in person.

Sounds like a cool ass event to be giving prizes like that, good job man!

Cdnrockies · 03-04-2012, 12:06 AM

You couldn't have possibly have had that much fun. Lexus are for old men....they can't handle....the steering is soft and disconnected....it's too expensive....blah, blah, blah.

Cool vid man, looks like you had a blast, congrats!

skoot3r · 03-04-2012, 12:29 AM

the sound is pure sex

Nine · 03-04-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

There was a Lexus Performance Drive event for the new GS today at Infineon. At the event there was a timed autocross competition. The winner gets some hot laps around Infineon in the Lexus LFA... I had the fastest lap time of the session! I guess 14 years of autocross experience paid off today.

Here's a video of the hot laps. Please excuse the shaky camera and me giggling like a girl with asthma.

Crank the volume and listen to that soundtrack! When you are in the car, the sound tears into you and you FEEL it in your body and brings up a well of emotions only a car person would understand. I swear I had tears of joy coming out of my eyes after I got out and a perma-smile for the rest of the day.

Congrats, you earned it!

mike33176 · 03-04-2012, 12:38 PM

I was fastest in my group also last year and I got to ride with Scott Pruitt for 2 laps @ Homestead.It was a blast and the car is fantastic but, not for $375k .

e92_m3 · 03-06-2012, 11:59 PM

Damn! Gotta love that intoxicating sound!

Z K,
The gearshifts sounds like your driving a manual.

Thanks for sharing man!

M3 Montreal · 03-07-2012, 09:21 AM

Damn beautiful sound!!

Gratz to you! Too bad the guy driving was driving it so mild....

If you ever get invited to the Porsche World Tour then you will get a BALLS out hit lap by one of their instructors. I was in the 911 GTS with a retired pro driver and had the BLAST of my life. The guy was going all out and letting the back end slide like crazy.

If anyone here has been to the world tour then they know what I'm talking about regarding a HOT lap.

Man... That LFA soundtrack though... So HOT....

Erhan · 03-07-2012, 10:25 AM

If it sounds like that through a camera mic, I can't imagine how it sounds in real life!!

Z K · 03-07-2012, 11:46 AM

I wasn't expecting to get to be in the LFA so I had to use the only recording device I had on me, the iphone.

The LFA uses a single clutch transmission which makes it shift slower than a twin clutch transmission and has more of a "kick" when shifting to give it a more analog feel.

The whole car is just exciting to be in. They definitely concentrated on creating a great experience of driving and not all out performance as most super cars these days aim for. The attention to these details definitely shows!

997GT3 · 03-07-2012, 12:20 PM

I'm jealous. That would be very exciting.

e46e92love · 03-07-2012, 12:26 PM

Yup, Lexus hit the nail on the head with the LFA......I guess every dog has its day.

Too bad the designer and inspiration for this car was killed while fine tuning the suspension on a back road near the ring......when he suffered a head on collision with two BMW test drivers in a 5-series. BMW guys walked away......totally sucks because the LFA is a sick car and its tragic the guy died in it.

Cheers,
e46e92

Z K · 03-07-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Yup, Lexus hit the nail on the head with the LFA......I guess every dog has its day.

Too bad the designer and inspiration for this car was killed while fine tuning the suspension on a back road near the ring......when he suffered a head on collision with two BMW test drivers in a 5-series. BMW guys walked away......totally sucks because the LFA is a sick car and its tragic the guy died in it.

Cheers,
e46e92

He wasn't the designer behind it. He was the chief test driver for Toyota's performance cars. He's the driver who worked on the 2000GT in the 1960s, the MR2 and the Supra. Sad loss for sure.

e92_m3 · 03-07-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

The LFA uses a single clutch transmission which makes it shift slower than a twin clutch transmission and has more of a "kick" when shifting to give it a more analog feel.

Now I know why it sounds like your driving a manual. With that said, can you say that the LFA's tranny is a generation behind the M3 since the M3 uses a dual clutch mechanism on the DCT?

If you have driven a DCT equipped M3, how does it compare to the LFA's tranny in terms of feel and driveablilty around the track?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the way the LFA shifts man. There's that slight pause that occurs that makes it sound like a manual which I really love.

Z K · 03-07-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92_m3

Now I know why it sounds like your driving a manual. With that said, can you say that the LFA's tranny is a generation behind the M3 since the M3 uses a dual clutch mechanism on the DCT?

If you have driven a DCT equipped M3, how does it compare to the LFA's tranny in terms of feel and driveablilty around the track?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the way the LFA shifts man. There's that slight pause that occurs that makes it sound like a manual which I really love.

My M3 is not DCT and I haven't driven an M3 with DCT. The closest thing I've driven is the Porsche PDK. The twin clutch shifts much faster and it feels seamless.

The LFA feels more like a manual in the way it shifts and it shifts hard if you are driving fast. You'll feel the kick and jerk as each gear engages just as a manual does when you are shifting fast. Still way faster than anyone can shift a manual but not seamless like a twin clutch.

e92_m3 · 03-07-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

My M3 is not DCT and I haven't driven an M3 with DCT. The closest thing I've driven is the Porsche PDK. The twin clutch shifts much faster and it feels seamless.

The LFA feels more like a manual in the way it shifts and it shifts hard if you are driving fast. You'll feel the kick and jerk as each gear engages just as a manual does when you are shifting fast. Still way faster than anyone can shift a manual but not seamless like a twin clutch.

Cool! Man, I need to drive an LFA to see and feel what you mean.

Btw, are there any more Lexus performance drive event in the Bay Area? I am from the Bay area (Norcal) and I wanted to try one out as well. Anyways, it will be hard for me to get a chance driving the LFA since I only did a couple of auto-x's under my belt. I need more experience to be the fastest on the lot. LOL!

Z K · 03-07-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92_m3

Cool! Man, I need to drive an LFA to see and feel what you mean.

Btw, are there any more Lexus performance drive event in the Bay Area? I am from the Bay area (Norcal) and I wanted to try one out as well. Anyways, it will be hard for me to get a chance driving the LFA since I only did a couple of auto-x's under my belt. I need more experience to be the fastest on the lot. LOL!

Its a tour to promote the new Lexus GS. This was the only event in the bay area for this. It was an invite only event. I believe they had a similar event last year for the updated Lexus IS.

As for going in the LFA, only 4 people (1 from each session) were able to ride in it out of all the participants.

j2m · 03-08-2012, 04:44 PM

Soooooooo Awesome, sounds amazing and I'm sure nothing beats being behind the wheel

M3 Montreal · 03-09-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2m

Soooooooo Awesome, sounds amazing and I'm sure nothing beats being behind the wheel

I believe he was in the passenger seat and driven by an instructor.

GIdriver · 03-09-2012, 10:59 AM

Awesome man!! Congrats!!

mmm def · 03-09-2012, 02:33 PM

that sounds amazing!

stefan · 03-09-2012, 02:44 PM

WTH that's the noise in the cabin? Wow I had no idea. I've only heard it from outside. That would get addictive... Suddenly I understand the price tag.

03-03-2012, 11:42 PM	#1
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	My hot laps in the Lexus LFA at Infineon There was a Lexus Performance Drive event for the new GS today at Infineon. At the event there was a timed autocross competition. The winner gets some hot laps around Infineon in the Lexus LFA... I had the fastest lap time of the session! I guess 14 years of autocross experience paid off today. Here's a video of the hot laps. Please excuse the shaky camera and me giggling like a girl with asthma. Crank the volume and listen to that soundtrack! When you are in the car, the sound tears into you and you FEEL it in your body and brings up a well of emotions only a car person would understand. I swear I had tears of joy coming out of my eyes after I got out and a perma-smile for the rest of the day.
	Tweet

03-04-2012, 12:29 AM	#4
skoot3r BMW n00b Drives: 09 e92 M3/ 2013 GMC 2500hd Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,141 iTrader: (4)	the sound is pure sex __________________ 09 SpaceGray M3 DCT Power: Dinan 3.62, Gintani Race Mufflers, Dinan Intake, Gintani Xpipe, RPi Scoops Cosmetic: Vrs Poly-Lip, CSL Trunk, LED Interior Lights, LUX H8, Smoked Tails, Challenge Diffuser

03-06-2012, 11:59 PM	#7
e92_m3 Major Drives: 2009 e92 m3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,469 iTrader: (0)	Damn! Gotta love that intoxicating sound! Z K, The gearshifts sounds like your driving a manual. Thanks for sharing man! __________________ Hellaflush? All I could say is "effyo'flush",*"flushnuff", and Instead of 'illest', I'm calling it "faillest"*. It's just form over function nowadays... -END RANT

03-07-2012, 09:21 AM	#8
M3 Montreal Colonel Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada Posts: 2,075 iTrader: (0)	Damn beautiful sound!! Gratz to you! Too bad the guy driving was driving it so mild.... If you ever get invited to the Porsche World Tour then you will get a BALLS out hit lap by one of their instructors. I was in the 911 GTS with a retired pro driver and had the BLAST of my life. The guy was going all out and letting the back end slide like crazy. If anyone here has been to the world tour then they know what I'm talking about regarding a HOT lap. Man... That LFA soundtrack though... So HOT.... __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red

03-07-2012, 10:25 AM	#9
Erhan Colonel Drives: Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,461 iTrader: (0)	If it sounds like that through a camera mic, I can't imagine how it sounds in real life!! __________________ 2011 MINI Cooper S previous cars: E92 M3, Z4MC, Z4 Roadster, E36 328 Sedan

03-04-2012, 12:03 AM	#2
SoTempted Captain Drives: Incompetently Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 729 iTrader: (2)	I had to whip out the headphones for this one! The LFA soundtrack definitely makes up for the epileptic cameraman. I'd love to hear one of these in person. Sounds like a cool ass event to be giving prizes like that, good job man!

03-04-2012, 12:06 AM	#3
Cdnrockies Banned Drives: BMW's Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,114 iTrader: (0)	You couldn't have possibly have had that much fun. Lexus are for old men....they can't handle....the steering is soft and disconnected....it's too expensive....blah, blah, blah. Cool vid man, looks like you had a blast, congrats!

03-04-2012, 12:38 PM	#6
mike33176 Lieutenant Drives: 09 Jerez/ Black, E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 432 iTrader: (1)	I was fastest in my group also last year and I got to ride with Scott Pruitt for 2 laps @ Homestead.It was a blast and the car is fantastic but, not for $375k .

03-07-2012, 11:46 AM	#10
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	I wasn't expecting to get to be in the LFA so I had to use the only recording device I had on me, the iphone. The LFA uses a single clutch transmission which makes it shift slower than a twin clutch transmission and has more of a "kick" when shifting to give it a more analog feel. The whole car is just exciting to be in. They definitely concentrated on creating a great experience of driving and not all out performance as most super cars these days aim for. The attention to these details definitely shows!

03-07-2012, 12:20 PM	#11
997GT3 Captain Drives: GTR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Dakota Posts: 687 iTrader: (0)	I'm jealous. That would be very exciting. __________________ -2012 Cayenne Turbo -2013 GTR

03-07-2012, 12:26 PM	#12
e46e92love Colonel Drives: e92 ///M3; X3 (wife's) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The East Side of Things Posts: 2,990 iTrader: (0)	Yup, Lexus hit the nail on the head with the LFA......I guess every dog has its day. Too bad the designer and inspiration for this car was killed while fine tuning the suspension on a back road near the ring......when he suffered a head on collision with two BMW test drivers in a 5-series. BMW guys walked away......totally sucks because the LFA is a sick car and its tragic the guy died in it. Cheers, e46e92 __________________ "...it's not about the money and not about the brand of the car, it's about handling,performance and passion......And that, no other car has all together like an M3........when you talk about the most complete car the M is invincible." --Tony Kanaan.

03-08-2012, 04:44 PM	#18
j2m Colonel Drives: '11 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary, Ab Posts: 2,394 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Soooooooo Awesome, sounds amazing and I'm sure nothing beats being behind the wheel __________________ 11' E92 M3 Space Grey \| DCT \| ESS VT2- 625 \| Gintani Race (valved) + Quad Res Catless X-Pipe \| KW Sleeve's \| GC Camber Plates\|Arkym Diffuser \| Vorsteiner VRS Lip \| P3 Boost Guage \| Stud Conversion PHOTO's: Click Here ESS VT2 625 PHOTOS: Click Here

03-09-2012, 10:59 AM	#20
GIdriver Major Drives: 2011 SG/FR E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Somewhere in Time Posts: 1,136 iTrader: (0)	Awesome man!! Congrats!!

03-09-2012, 02:33 PM	#21
mmm def Colonel Drives: 07 Accord 6-6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,535 iTrader: (0)	that sounds amazing!

03-09-2012, 02:44 PM	#22
stefan Colonel Drives: E92M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,019 iTrader: (2) Garage List 1999 VF BMW M3 [5.00] 2008 135i [5.00] 2003 M3 [3.10] 2011.75 BMW M3 [4.17] 2009 STi [3.83]	WTH that's the noise in the cabin? Wow I had no idea. I've only heard it from outside. That would get addictive... Suddenly I understand the price tag. __________________ ///M Power - 2011.75 LMB M3 6MT (fuelly)

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