The long-awaited Lexus LF-A supercar is heading toward production next year, according to a report from Britain's AutoExpress.
The rumored 200-mph supercar has been in development for years, and has been seen in spy photos as well as in concept-car form on the auto show circuit. Until recently, the very existence of the project had been called into question as Toyota has placed most of its efforts into burnishing its green-car image with vehicles like the new 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h.
AutoExpress reports the car's 4.8-liter V-10 engine and aerodynamics have been tweaked to pass the 500-horsepower and 200-mph barrier. The engine now puts out 550 horsepower, while the top speed has reached a lofty 218 mph--in the same territory as supercars like the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and the 2009 Nissan GT-R.
A production version could be shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show this fall. Reports also indicate the same engine, in different tune, could power the 2012 Lotus Esprit.
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