2012 Lexus LFA lexus LFA 2012 Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2012 LFA NURBURGRING PACKAGE GUIDE

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Aerodynamics
LFA_Nurburgring_U
Cd and Cl
“Cd” is an abbreviation that means “Coefficient of drag”. When referring to a car,
“air resistance” is proportional to this value multiplied by the frontal area (the surface
area that is seen when looking at the vehicle from directly in front). In other words,
the lower, more compact the vehicle, the lower the air resistance.
On the other hand, “Cl” is an abbreviation that means “Coefficient of lift”. If this value
is less than zero, downforce (the force that pushes the vehicle onto the road) is
being acquired.
Drag (D) and lift (L) can be calculated using the following formula:
( ρ : Air density V : Velocity (vehicle speed) A : Frontal area)
D (or L) = ½ x ρ x V
2 x Cd (or Cl) x A
With the Nürburgring Package, the Cl value has been enhanced and downforce
has been increased by adopting aero-parts, helping to pursue a feeling of reassur-
ing handling stability, even when driving at high speeds.
Due to the Nürburgring Package making changes based on circuit driving, mini-
mum ground clearance is lowered. When passing over an uneven surface, drive
extremely carefully to ensure the body do es not interfere with the road surface.
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LFA_Nurburgring_U
For the Nürburgring Package, in order to further improve stability and corning speed,
exclusive shock absorbers, coil springs, stabilizers, high grip tires and aluminum
wheels that enhance body control and grip have been adopted.
During repeated test runs at the Nürburgring, controllability was increased across all
speed ranges from low to high, and a sense of oneness between the driver and the
vehicle was pursued.
Chassis and suspension
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Chassis and suspension
LFA_Nurburgring_U
■Suspension
In order to maximize aerodynamic and suspension performance, vehicle height, wheel
alignment, coil springs, stabilizers and the shock absorbers were finely tuned for the
Nürburgring Package.
Accordingly, an astounding level of both handling with high controllability and stable
body control has been achieved.
s
ItemSpecification differences from the standard model
Vehicle height
Vehicle height lowered
Front: -10 mm
Rear: -10 mm
Wheel alignment
Negative camber angle increased
Front: -0 ° 45 ’ → -1° 10’
Rear: -1 ° 45’ → -2 ° 10’
Coil spring
Spring rate increased
Front: 86 N/mm → 115 N/mm
Rear: 103 N/mm → 155 N/mm (Non-linearly)
Stabilizer
Stabilizer gauge increased
Front: Diameter: 31.8 mm → 31.8 mm
Gauge: 4 mm → 5 mm
Rear: Diameter: 25.4 mm → 25.4 mm
Gauge: 4 mm → 6 mm
Shock absorber
Damping force increased (extend/rebound rate of 0.3 m/s)
Front: 1870/1800 N → 2030/1920 N
Rear: 2860/2210 N → 2960/2360 N
Front Rear
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LFA_Nurburgring_U
■Tires
Through the adoption of a high-grip
tread compound, the Bridgestone
POTENZA RE070 tires have
improved anti-wear performance
and heat resistance ready for circuit
driving while increasing grip.
Regarding the tread pattern, by
increasing the size of the tread
blocks on the outside shoulder of
the tires, where the most load is
applied, the contact patch has been
expanded and rigidity has been
increased.
Furthermore, by adopting a con-
struction with a highly rigid reinforc-
ing belt, the sidewall rigidity is
increased, ensuring linear response
and grip when pushed to the limits.
Tire expiration date
In order to preserve tire performance, we recommend periodic replacement of tires
every 6 years. The 4 digits on the sidewall can be read as follows:
Inside Outside
Specification differences
from the standard model
Brand of tire changed
(different tread pattern and compound)
Bridgestone POTENZA RE070
Bridgestone
POTENZA S001 →
Last 2 digits of the
year of manufacture
Week of manufacture
In the above example, the tire was
manufactured in the 15th week of 2011.
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Chassis and suspension
LFA_Nurburgring_U
■Aluminum wheels
Through design changes, the
exposed area of the disc surface has
been expanded, improving brake
cooling performance.The grip of the POTENZA RE070 tires designed to perform best on dry roads.
Refrain from driving at high speeds on wet surfaces, such as on a highway in the
rain, as the Nürburgring Package is fitted with wide tires that have narrow tire tread
grooves that may increase the risk of hydroplaning.
The high-grip tread compound may crack during extremely cold temperatures.
Therefore, refrain from driving or storing the tires in temperatures of -4° F (-20°C)
or lower.
Specification differences
from the standard model
Design changed
Tw i n s p o k e → Mesh
New design expands exposed disc surface area
Front: 4% increase
Rear: 7% increase
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LFA_Nurburgring_U
In order to further pursue emotive performance in the Nürburgring Package, a weight
reduction of the interior equipment has been achieved.
The adoption of full bucket seats and exclusive CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plas-
tics) parts reduced vehicle weight and helped contribute to improved drivability. Addi-
tionally, the adoption of these interior parts raises the expectation of driving.
■Full bucket seats (Europe only)
In the Nürburgring Package, full bucket seats (RECARO RS-W) have been adopted
to secure a stable driving position across a variety of driving conditions.
For the frame, lightweight and high-rigid CFRP has been adopted, improving drivabil-
ity due to a vehicle weight reduction and achieving a high level of holding performance
even during sharp turns.
Additionally, while maintaining side support performance, the shape of the seats have
been optimized, increasing the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle and improving
daily usability of the vehicle when compar ed to those used on racing vehicles.
905 mm
74 0 m m
540 mm
465 mm
Interior
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Interior
LFA_Nurburgring_U
■Holding performance
Even during sharp turns, the full bucket seats hold the driver’s body without allowing
any body movement and support accurate steering operations and pedal work.
Also, by keeping one’s posture, eyepoint is maintained, making it possible to judge dis-
tances and respond to object recognition correctly.
With the Nürburgring Package, the full bucket seat’s high holding performance
enables a precise driving position to be held, allowing the driver to enjoy driving at
their will.
■Weight reductions
The weight applied to the center of the vehicle is reduced by adopting lightweight and
high-rigid CFRP for the seat’s frame and Alcantara * for the seat’s upholstery, con-
tributing to an improvement in driving performance.
*:“Alcantara” is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A.
Full bucket seats
[Adjustment]
Lift the lever beneath the seat to adjust the seat forward or backward.
[Maintenance]
The seat cushions can be removed.
Remove the seat cushions to clean away dust under the cushions.
[Label attached to the seat cushion]
The procedure for removing the seat lever is
written on the label located under the seat
cushion. Take care not to scratch the label
when cleaning.
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LFA_Nurburgring_U
■Materials used for each component
Alcantara*1 and CFRP have been used for many of the non metal-accented interior
components in the Nürburgring Package model, achieving a reduction in vehicle
weight and an enhanced sense of quality.


...... Matte-coated CFRP
...... Clear-coated CFRP
...... Satin finish metal accent
...... Alcantara
 *1
...... Genuine leather
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