Rumors: New Lexus LFA Special coming to Tokyo Show while Toyota is Working on a Supra Successor

After losing ground globally to its main competitors, Toyota is on the offensive again. Not only are its plants starting to operate near their maximum capacity, it has also formulated a new strategy to recover as quickly as possible.

However, bread-and-butter models are not the only vehicles the Japanese automaker has in store for us. According to CAR Magazine, Lexus will launch a Tokyo Motor Show Edition of its LFA supercar at its home motor show in autumn.

This edition of the LFA, the second after the Nürburgring special, will sport an unpainted carbon roof and rear spoiler and will cost around €40,000 (US$54,500) more than the “normal” production model.

Meanwhile, the proposed open-top version of the Lexus LFA will not make it past the drawing board due to the current global economic climate.

Coming a little down to earth, Toyota is readying a successor to the Supra coupe of the ‘90s. Although the company has officially denied such a project even exists, the same sources insist that an unsanctioned RWD sports car is currently under development.

Toyota, which has abandoned the sports car segment for quite some time to focus on hybrids, is also said to be working on a front-wheel drive performance car that is expected to be a GTI-rivaling version of the CT200h hatchback.

Perhaps the biggest news, however, is that Japan’s number one car maker is contemplating moving away from naturally-aspirated, high-revving engines and follow the downsizing trend, adopting turbocharged units for its sports models.

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SCOOP: Mystery Sport Lexus LS Caught Testing on the 'Ring, Could it be the LS-F?

Lexus may not be fully embroiled in the sports car segment as the only true performance models in its range are the IS-F and the limited run LFA special, but something tells us that the Japanese firm is not yet ready to throw the towel in and let its rivals take the win.

And this, despite the fact that over the years, we have heard many rumors about the possibility of Lexus expanding its range of high-performance F-badged lineup to include the GS and the LS models, and which never came into fruition.

This brings us to our mystery Lexus LS prototype that was snagged doing the rounds on the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Our scoop photographers tell us that the car featured the usual testing equipment seen on other prototypes on the 'Ring.

Aside from the blistered front and rear wheel arches, the LS test car also sported widened front and rear bumpers, a different front grille, plus a carbon fiber roof and boot incorporating a spoiler.

The car was also fitted with massive brake discs, while the hood air vents and the black alloy wheels with a silver rim are two elements we've seen of the LFA.

And now for the million dollar question: what is it? We'll, we don't know for sure. It could be anything from a limited production or conceptual LS-F sporting the LFA's V10 to a SEMA project car, or perhaps just a wild tuning job in the works.

Whatever the case, we'll keep our eyes open and ask around. If something pops up on our radars, we'll let you know.

PHOTO GALLERY

SCOOP: Mystery Sport Lexus LS Caught Testing on the 'Ring, Could it be the LS-F?

Lexus may not be fully embroiled in the sports car segment as the only true performance models in its range are the IS-F and the limited run LFA special, but something tells us that the Japanese firm is not yet ready to throw the towel in and let its rivals take the win.

And this, despite the fact that over the years, we have heard many rumors about the possibility of Lexus expanding its range of high-performance F-badged lineup to include the GS and the LS models, and which never came into fruition.

This brings us to our mystery Lexus LS prototype that was snagged doing the rounds on the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Our scoop photographers tell us that the car featured the usual testing equipment seen on other prototypes on the 'Ring.

Aside from the blistered front and rear wheel arches, the LS test car also sported widened front and rear bumpers, a different front grille, plus a carbon fiber roof and boot incorporating a spoiler.

The car was also fitted with massive brake discs, while the hood air vents and the black alloy wheels with a silver rim are two elements we've seen of the LFA.

And now for the million dollar question: what is it? We'll, we don't know for sure. It could be anything from a limited production or conceptual LS-F sporting the LFA's V10 to a SEMA project car, or perhaps just a wild tuning job in the works.

Whatever the case, we'll keep our eyes open and ask around. If something pops up on our radars, we'll let you know.

PHOTO GALLERY