Japanese cars are starting to join the ranks of supercars

Looks like the LF-A is now being clocked at 7:24 around the ring.

http://motormagazine.co.jp/2007/12/20081_4.html
和製sports car, toppling the GT-R for starting serious!
GTO is packed with high-tech revival?
LF-A is unspeakable, Nurburgring time 7 minutes 24 seconds
RX-7 successor will have power to weight of 3 kg / ps units
NSX successor to the V10 4.5 liter 580 horsepower


And the r35 GT-R makes 475hp and 428ft/lb at the hubs
http://www.nagtroc.com/forums/R35-Dyno-t20782.html

 

Don't believe it before I see unofficial testing.

When a Zonda F and a Carrera GT (which basically was made for the 'ring) don't get far below sub-30, 7:24 is too hard to believe...

Maybe we'll see something from Honda as well in the future, but all spec's on that front is pure speculations. We don't even know if it will be a FR or a MR car.............

 

As much as I agree with you, I look at the GT-R and remember how when the first ring numbers hit the web almost every person out there was in disbelief and said it couldn't be done. I remember seeing the threads on this forum also. But as we know now the nay-sayers have been proven wrong in that case. It would be hard to believe that the LF-A, which seems like it's being designed to be the flagship of Japanese sports cars, is going to be lagging behind the GT-R. Keep in mind that (and yes I know they are rumors) the word is that the LF-A is supposed to be a ~2800lbs car. When compared to the 3500+lbs/550hp GT-R, that weight combined with a 500+hp engine could very possibly result in the above-quoted lap times.

 

I don't believe the present times being discussed for the Lexis LSF or the Nissan GTR.

I look forward to production examples hitting the "Road & Track"

Should be insightful and if the performance being touted is real. Thats awesome

If not? Well I'm sure they are still great cars.

 

They are most likely excellent cars, whether or not the performance will match a Z06 remains to be seen.

 

The LF-A will certainly be more reliable then the Z06. Looks like a great daily driver.

 

???...you can't really get more reliable than a Zo6 that only needs oil changes, tires and maybe brakes for the first $100k miles...

 

You forgot about a new roof here and there.

But in all seriousness, my beef with US sports cars if the lack of refinement in the cabin. The performance may be there, but when I am sitting in a Viper that has knobs from a Caravan, that just eliminates the idea of a whole package that I believe if present in the European supercars.

 

Lol

 

Well, Japan had the HP limit of 280HP until just few years ago. And now that limit is lifted. So expect a lot of fast cars in the future. And I believe LFA will be faster than GTR because Toyota will NOT allow their super car to be slower than GTR. It's pride thing, and Honda will come up with a car that is faster than LFA and so on. The cycle will go on.

 

I hear the 08 Z06 has the cockpit covered in leather, havent seen it yet

I plan on redoing my interior on my 07 in blue alcantara w a roll bar & some nice race seats

These guys make some Gorgeous Vette interiors

http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/

 

Do you have a clue? The GM LS series of V8's is probably the MOST reliable line of V8's around.

Unlike Toyota's exploding camshafts in their V8's.......

 

That is an option on ALL Covette's as we speak.

 

Just because it can go around a track fast, or in a straight line, does not make it a supercar. There's a lot more to it, and I'm not seeing any of that coming out of Japan.

 

Lets wait and see what the finished product does for all we know it could be a huge recall and drives like ......

 

+10

Agree with that 100% it takes much more than performance at the Nring to be called a Supercar.

 

That rule was barely followed by anyone even when it was in place. Anyone with dyno sheets knew those R34's were producing more than 280Hp. 275Hp is just what Nissan labeled it as.

How are the nay-sayers been proven wrong? Nissan claimed they hit 7:38. However, once a magazine got a hold of it, the car hit only 7:50. It was obvious Nissan had something they weren't telling.

 

Haha, thats the same thing they were saying in the early 90s when they were convinced they would own the sportscar market.......remember the:

RX-7
3000 GT
300 ZX
Supra
NSX

Only one thing in common.......they failed

 

3000 GT and 300ZX failed, the others did not - they meant something for the auto society - like it or not.

 

Which ones are still being made?........NONE OF THEM.........they failed, so they were discontinued.....

Lots of failed cars made an impression......take the Tucker for example......but it still failed as a marketable car, as these did.

 

What about the 348? Or the 355? By your logic those cars from that period failed as well as they're not being made anymore. I'm quite confident the cars listed more than made back their development cost and added to their perspective companies profit margins. That's a success. It always amazes me how Eurocentric people around here are. Some of you are still living with that 1950's "If it's Japanese its cr@p" mentality.

 

You logic in your first line sucks.

As for failed marketing, people were hesitating to buy Japanese cars for the brand of it. They have now built a somewhat small heritage and they will continue to spit out cars. I know hundreds of people enjoying these cars, so to me - they have not failed at all.


Oh and yes, they are missed: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434398&topart=sports

 

It seems Japanese cars suffer from this same plague.

My $60,000 Infiniti had buttons from a $9k Sentra !!!

 

You serious? damn and some guys complain about the C6 having a Cavaler steering wheel.

 

only because Toyota can't make a pickup. That's for the Americans. They were fine in the Supra, even though it wasn't a V8. If upgraded right, it could outrun most anything.