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It's finally been let loose on the roads. The new LFA from Lexus, the supercar that flies from zero to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a supercar.

LFA chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi says it best: "The LFA is a thoroughbred supercar, a machine engineered to achieve a single goal – to deliver a supreme driving experience. Over the past decade we have pushed every boundary in pursuit of this goal and I believe we have created the most driver-orientated car we possibly could."

Body-lite

Keeping the weight to an absolute minimum was one of the key goals in the development of the LFA. This is why the team switched from using aluminium and opted for carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the chassis and bodywork. This was built in-house and woven on specially developed carbon-fibre looms.

CFRP is four times stronger than aluminium and gives the LFA an exceptionally stiff and strong structure. It weighs 100kg less than an equivalent aluminium body.

Driving this lightweight body is a bespoke, naturally-aspirated V10 engine. The 4.8-litre engine develops 411kW and revs all the to red line at 9000rpm. It uses dry sump lubrication, which allows the block to be positioned deep in the engine bay, lowering the car's centre of gravity and enabling the engine to handle sustained, high-speed cornering.

To the red line

The V10 produces 480Nm of torque at 6800rpm, 90 percent of which is available from 3700rpm all the way to red line. Dual VVT-i technology, equal-length exhaust manifolds and high-volume, 12-hole fuel injectors give in-gear acceleration at all engine speeds and in any gear. Top speed is 325km/h.

With a kerb weight of 1480kg, the LFA has a power-to-weight ratio of 278kW per ton, while specific output of nearly 86kW per litre is among the highest of any current supercar.

Shoehorn

The V10 is about the same size as a regular V8 engine, weighs as much as a conventional V6 and exceeds Euro 5 emissions standards.

The engine is mated with a six-speed automated sequential transmission driving the rear wheels. Gear changes are managed from a paddle shift mounted on the steering column and the transmission will upshift in just 0.2 seconds.

The LFA has been specially tuned so that the induction system and exhaust are harmonious throughout the rev range. This car's sounds are literally music to the ears.

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