German Car Zone

Can't wait to see this car. The GT-R might have the acumens to rival the Germans but it lacks charisma end eloquence. Toyota might well have the first Japanese exotic in the making here. I pray they will release it in an alubeam paint job.

Sorry to be off-topic, but can you elaborate more on that because there are many journalists who think that it surpasses the 911 Turbo, the holy-grail of everyday sports car (refer to Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul? — Autoblog). Everything about the car, inside and out, indicates it's a quality, well-crafted machine that'll not only blow one's mind but is also useful as a daily use car. Also, the GT-R has respected heritage, albeit not as well advertised as its German or Italian conterparts.

I think that the LF-A will be a great car. Overpriced (if the rumors are true) but it looks to be up to snuff in the performance/handling departments.

While I'm a huge a fan of the Italians, Germans, and British marques, I just get tired of the Western-centric views. If it's a good car, give credit where credit is due. Hell, if Hyundai makes a car that powerful, handles on a dime, looks good, is reliable, and is well-crafted, well kudos for them. It'd be a shame if it didn't sell well because the lot of us did not have posters of Hyundai's on our bedroom walls. We had posters of Lambos, Ferraris, etc. on our walls. But who knows, future generations will lust after Lexuses (Lexi?) and Nissans the way we lust after the established exotics. I say, be a tad bit more open-minded.

PS: Centurion, hope you don't think I'm picking on you. I like most of your posts.

In the East, especially Japan, Nissan Skyline GT-Rs (R34) were easily self-modded to 700 - 800 bhp and they eat Porsches and Ferraris for breakfast.

That's why it's different in the East where not everyone lusting over Porsche/Ferrari. They mod their own car so every car and its performance is unique to the owner, whereas most 911s or 360s/430s are stock.

So while in the West, people furiously debate in the internet forums about 'Ring times, lap times they get from magazines, it's different in Japan where they have their own lap times. They compare their own performances not Sport Auto's.

Don't bother. I've posted that same article before. It's really sad that people are bitching about the GT-R being too clinical when in fact it's Porsche who are known to be "clinical."

Basically it's like this, the fact that GT-R is Japanese, it automatically means it lacks soul, at least to MANY on this forum. They won't outright say it, but they lack explanation to the contrary.

Don't know who that guy is but he sounds pretty humble in his opinion. But let's wait and see the numbers.

I harbour no hatred for the GT-R, it's a hallmark -- not only for the Japanese auto industry but for the car industry as a whole. Nissan have taught us the valuable lesson that a top performer doesn't have to cost more than your house, or have a made in Italy or Germany badge. Not only that, but the design is highly original and resembles nothing else on a market. It's an appealing car to look it, but not in the same way as a Ferrari, Lamoborgini, Aston Martin or 8C is.

The GT-R is a bit over masculine. It has an empowering rear and imposing tail light as well as other muscular characteristics. But it's not a problem. Nissan has developed a car that is to be driven, not to be stared at in the garage over a cup of camomile tea during a rainy Sunday. Beautiful Italians, Brits and Germany all share natural flowing lines that result in drop dead gorgeous cars. Toyota is not far behind though. The LF-A concept is to die for. I got to see it last year and couldn't stop admiring it. Long slender body glazed with smooth and simple lines -- there is nothing missing at all. Toyota turned their backs on the Japanese tendency of over-designing car, and instead created something very emotionally captivating.

From what we can see, much of what I loved about the concept hasn't eroded as Toyota engineers have moulded their super car into its realistic self. It's a game for Toyota to lose now, and they can only do so by stupidly adding winglets and other fiddly details that will artificially makes the car "fast". If they resist the temptation of ricing the car, and it ends up looking 95% like what we see below, then Ferrari will officially have been challenged. But I'm not holding my breath as we've seen countless of concept being watered down to production cars with little star quality.

Mad respek of your opinion Luw.

Official release:

http://www.germancarzone.com/lexus/3...n-version.html (Official: Lexus LF-A Supercar (Production Version))