Spied: Lexus readying LFA Hybrid?
The standard Lexus LFA comes packing a 4.8L V10, but our spy photographers may have just stumbled upon a greener version of the Japanese supercar. Featuring a mysteriously covered front port, the Lexus LFA could be in line for the plug-in hybrid treatment.
Today our spy photographers snapped some photos of an LFA prototype with a curious piece of camouflage. Overall, this prototype appears to be wearing some of the camouflage and fake body panels we saw on LFA prototypes 2-3 years ago. What's new is a piece of camouflage on the front fender near the A pillar.
Normally when we see a piece of camouflage like this, it's often hiding a port of some kind. GM's plug-in hybrid test mules have been spotted with a similar camo patch. Could this LFA be hiding a charging port? We're not sure how else to explain it as the production-ready 2010 LFA would have nothing of value to hide at this location on the body.
We've considered the possibility that this is a prototype for the LFA set to take part in the endurance race at the Nürburgring next month -- as the race car Lexus has reveal seems to have a port in the same location -- but the car spotted today was seen testing in the United States.
With the strong interest the Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid concept has generated, we think it's possible Lexus may be trying to beat Porsche to the punch. Porsche's development chief, Wolfgang Duerheimer told Bloomberg today news today that they had nearly 1000 people ready to buy a production 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid. We're sure Lexus would love to be the first to market in what could be the start of a "green" supercar movement.
A quick glance to the Prius Plug-in Hybrid tells us that Toyota has the technology available to them, so why not use it on both ends of the vehicle spectrum? We'd imagine any LFA Hybrid would also likely sport some sort of KERS system.
Lexus has yet to indicate if there are any plans for a hybrid version of the Lexus LFA, but we'll keep an eye on the situation.
