Wrong name - Goodwood Festival of Speed, in our opinion - "Festival of Speed at Goodwood." The fact that every year in late summer suit and a half hours from London - or Festival of Fools, a weekend idiot. Depending on the self-esteem. The first option - if a glimmer hope that the roof had slipped at all, except you and the other - if only you started. But six years ago I Zaretsky district: at Goodwood - a foot! And not just because at the pathos VIP-dinner - black tie! - Dug into the side of safety pin, which I tried on a pair of size "shrunk" pants to a dress suit, borrowed from Ford's engineers. I felt like an idiot for two days on end - with brief breaks for disturbing dream. I was not there, did not see it, did not speak to those and not about that. In addition, arrived without his coat. One consolation: a couple of years Goodwood Festival of Speed visited Leonid Golovanov. He returned to the office. Well, I say, I liked it?In response, Golovanov, rolls his eyes: a madhouse on wheels! And do not write a single line. Understand.
And now - the next Goodwood Festival of Speed. But it was impossible to refuse: this time I'll no longer one of the thousands milling about lazy and find myself in the heart of events in the hell! Himself behind the wheel, drive the famous climb up the hill (around the twisty track, in fact, roam tusovka) to "combat" 500-horsepower coupe prototype Lexus LF-A - it was that lit up twice on a 24-hour race at the Nurburgring.
Michael, here, as you know, there are no records of you do not wait. You simply drive without risking a no, no car.
So says a European PR-Office Toyota.
- Michael, you are that Russian, that will go to the LF-A? - Swarthy man puts his hand on my shoulder. - Nobody will listen and do not be afraid. This car can do everything. Prior to the start line you will have about a hundred meters, and then you need time to warm up the bus.Includes a first, full throttle - and polished asphalt. Traction control allows. But it is not skipped the start line - the start is not with the speed, and from their seats. And then the wali - and not dumped! Nowhere! Do you understand me?
 |  |  |
| I would not smile stiffly before the camera, and find out how to turn back up here: because it was nearly broke my arrival! | Despite all the "combat" entourage, including a roll cage, racing seats, steering wheel, seat belts and completely reworked for the needs of riders central console, the main thing in this car is fully migrated and serial Lexus LFA: he was going the same way cool. And with the same acoustic accompaniment | This year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood estate has collected a record number of viewers. The main thing - do not try to find in all this system, and then you can even enjoy |
- Yes. But I do not know the route, quite ...
- I told you: full throttle - and not not think about anything!
It was Javier Quiroz, owner of a Lexus dealership in Costa Rica, one of the drivers, the speakers for the Lexus on a 24-hour race. He rode, though not on the LF-A, and the IS-F, that did not prevent him to do better: Lexus LF-A pursued the issue - something go haywire gearbox, the fire in the rear compartment ... In the Goodwood, even though over the years British car industry, count, rested in a Bose, nothing has changed. Madhouse and celebrities, including Quinodoz. Well, to me, as before, was to be an existential crisis. Yeah, the crowd poured on the left - nothing but it is there and there will be something important. Glued to the crowd, squeeze it between the fences. Meet at least purposefully approaching another crowd. Bravely bear the diffusion, but my crowd suddenly treacherously resolved. One sits on the grass, the other takes a turn for the organic - and because the pound is more expensive - a beer, a third approach to the highway - and looks like someone rolled the stars of Formula 1 jauntily leaves turn bolide end of the last century. As they passed the stands, the machine resets the move - and, sinking into a cloud of smoke, stalling and spinning in place. While the races in each class - for the time ... The people rejoice. I ask the most vociferous:
- Tell me, who was it?
- Alain Prost. Or Nigel Mansell. Maybe someone from the Italians - well, what's his name ...
He does not know. But just one of the greats.
All this is reminiscent of post-Soviet demonstrations to mark the seventh day of November, or May Day. "Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics, ..." Or, at the local: "Rule Britannia, the seas!" Celebrate the great past.
 |  |  |
| The first question is obvious: was not "a formula" is a V10 engine under the hood LF-A? Alas, the total is small (there is the collapse of the cylinder was 90 degrees, but here - 72), which does not interfere with the Lexus motor recognize outstanding atmosfernikom: "liter" Power - 116.5 hp! Of course, there is applied a dry sump. On the one hand, it eliminates oil starvation during overload up to 2g, but on the other - allows you to position the engine lower, lower and center of mass of the car. Titanium valves and connecting rods, short aluminum pistons, low-inertia valve springs, rocker arms with ceramic coating - thanks to this engine works steadily at 9000 rpm (piston speed reaches 25 meters per second). Promotion to idle until the "red zone" is no load for 0.6 seconds. It is curious that the use of direct fuel injection toyotovskogo motorists have so far refrained | Lexus LFA sounds luxurious, and on others it produces a greater effect than the inhabitants of the cabin. "Acoustic Alchemy" begins at the stage of the intake air. At relatively low engine speeds, up to 4000 rpm, intake manifold, fire-works as a resonator tuned to approximately 300 Hz. Then, closer to 6000 rpm, the resonance frequency up to 400-500 Hz, and when the motor is suitable to limit 9000 rpm, collector "enhances" the sound at a frequency of 600 Hz. Behind all this - not only "acoustic", but also the best filling of cylinders.Intricate and exhaust system.After passing through the converters and primary enclosures gases from the two cylinder heads on the paths of equal length, are directed into a common muffler made of titanium alloy. In temperate conditions (up to 3000 rpm) gases pass on the full path of the main muffler - and the car behaves relatively quiet (probably even fit into the norms for external noise). But with the increased workload triggered valve - and bypassing the now part of the section, the gases are directed into the exhaust pipes: an almost "forward flow", what immediately recognize residents of nearby neighborhoods. With all these tricks sound increases "linearly", without an explosion "at the top, such as the Porsche 911 Turbo with its Helmholtz resonator | |
And then - as the current proshiblo. On the other side, where I went, thundered powerful guitar riffs, and then a familiar refrain Vorn to be wild ... Who is it? Ozzy Osbourne, Status Quo? Or - as much aback takes - rose from the dead, Steppenwolf or Slade - and went to Goodwood Festival of Speed on the occasion? All of them, remember, put your hands and voices for a worldwide anthem bikers.
I'm running at the sound - a few years was not at a good rock show, but here - in the heart of England! Bass is almost knocked down. And - no fig. On the roof of the house owners of the manor Goodwood roar huge columns, and the clearing - the same tusnyak with beer.
 | Contrary to the ethical rules of Japanese corporations, the chief designer of the project LF-A Haruhiko Tanahashi is not shy to speak in the first-person. This, they say, I have decided to use the LF-A gearbox with a clutch, not DSG, - to the process of changing gears was a "natural". But the design is personified: teamwork. And it feels: the details do not reproach, and there's |
Took a deep breath and walked to the shed under which stood Lexi.
- I will soon?
- You will come in about an hour. You can go to change clothes.
Took the helmet, jumpsuit - and through security (I had a badge, "ATV"), on the red carpet, under the envious glances left side of the fence a step in the holy of holies - in the Driver's club.
Gawker was something to envy! I marked on the full program: at the next urinal doing the same himself Nigel Mansell! We nodded to each other, although Mansell grow a beard - and I recognized him at once.
On the wall locker, I finally found a road scheme. Tried to count and even remember the turns, but to no avail: it's prelaunch jim-jams.
 |  |
| The power structure of the body at a carbon fiber for two-thirds the weight. Alleged delay in the withdrawal car market has occurred due to the fact that the designers did not suit the manufacturability and reliability of threaded joints of aluminum and carbon fiber elements, and they developed a method of mounting - with sleeves. The car's weight - a little less than half tons | Contrary to the modern trend mechanism of electrical power is not located on the "rail", and the steering shaft. But there is no "lag" the drive is not felt. Another reason that the wheel itself - a very lightweight carbon fiber. To reduce the friction in the electric drive used a special anti-friction "powder". |
Five hundred forces, rear-wheel drive - and no room for error: only one machine, and no one to repair it for the next arrival will not be.
Calm, but calm.
I do not know ahead of time that podkamuflirovanny white-black car - that Lexus, it would have decided that under the guise hides a new and very large Toyota Celica: long, sloping hood and tail of - a sheer cliff. About how well-fitting camouflage can hide the true shape, I only learned a couple of months. And yet ...
Grunting and a forced smile, squeezing into the sports bucket. One mechanic tightens the belt on me, and the second tells about the controls. Transfer switch with two paddles paddles, and the petals turn with the wheel - it's convenient. Right lobe - in one gear up and left - down. You press on both - neutral. On the massive and heavily tilted center console - "racing" off key "mass" button starter and a scattering of "specific" sporting buttons, of which I might need only one - to a radio report about the accident.
 |  |
 |  |
| Tachometer - this is probably the funniest thing: his appearance varies depending on the mode of transmission. In Auto mode it is gray and delicately marked with a red zone - from 8000 to 9000 rpm. When switching to "manual" management "red zone" denoted not a stripe, a bright sector, where numbers are larger (same as - and in the Wet mode for slippery surfaces). And in sport mode "dial" is becoming a white figures - major, minor "intermediate" risk of disappearing, and the "red zone" is not in the lower and the upper sector of the field - to amplify an eyesore! If entice acceleration and still miss the "red zone", the entire field of tachometer will semaphore red flashes: it's time to switch! In this case, you will hear more and sound. But if the heat did not notice it, then ... "robot" itself will move to the next gear. And by clicking on the steering wheel, tachometer can be shifted to the right, revealing an additional section in the display with a mass of irrelevant information | |
- Michael, are you all right?
- Of course!
Engine V10 - front and radiator cooling system - rear. Box - a sequential, six-speed, single dry clutch, and it is located behind - the scheme transaxle. Edakii Porsche GT on the contrary, except that the box and the motor Lexus spaced on opposite sides.
Rr-rr-ryavk, p-ryavk! Before the nose in Aeroportovskiy gestures mechanic - steering wheel to the left, another left, now right ... to disperse the crowd roaring engine, made their way to the exit on the track and try to squeeze out of my head Born to be wild with something native."You just do not go off half way, Comrade heart, fellow cross-ee-erdtse ..."
First, without loss of priority, to get to the top of the road, there turn around on a tiny patch, and only then at the command of Marshal drive up to the start line (in this section a guy from Costa Rica and recommended to heat the wheel). But Piglet turn. And at the start, too. On the contrary I have already swung behind the wheel Audi Pikes Peak quattro smiling old Walter rerl (here, the centennial of the company Auto Union, almost every third car was some of the "war» Audi), and the nose - someone on Mitsubishi Evo VI. Closer to the turning Piglet, and on it - dymische: red Ferrari to scroll on the spot five laps! Maybe me? Well, at least one turnover ...
Dropped in at nose. Wheel to the right, left, full throttle, twist, smoke wall and seeing through a veil of marshal in a bright vest. Turns out I did not notice - and at a turn in place nearly blew the stern. He made a devil's face and waved a flag so that I had already decided that I ride without a windshield. But at the last moment changed his mind marshal - and have the same flag at the side of the launch: "On the road, you idiot!"
And I would be glad to, but ... Because of this, the marshal I nedokrutilsya quarter-circle - and the car almost put her nose in a mound of circles surrounding the asphalt nose. Must pass back. And I, I ... I forgot how to turn back! Or do I not told? Three seconds, I frantically twisted, pulled and pushed an innocent selector transmission seemed to have lasted an hour. Finally, the display lit up saving the letter «R», I passed back, taxied to the road and drowned gas - to heat the tire. Prior to the start line - still seventy feet, but forewarned about my eccentricities marshals have waved flags: "Do not slipped, cretin!"
The beginning of so-so.
Start.
I rode clean. Depressingly clear. Only a couple of times the machine is slightly frustrated by his long mordahoy in the demolition, but of bold experiments with fuel injection I refused, finding that excuse: I warmed-only rear-wheel drive! That will add now, but the cold front tires pluck - and hello, a straw bale on the sidelines. And I already had nachudit.
The most pleasant thing - is on the same track, but after the finish, returning to the parking lot. You waved flags and beer cans, screaming, and you dismiss the leader of hundred meters from ryavkanem stole second, and then as ATTIC with smoke ... That's the whole Goodwood.
Who is there behind the wheel? Maybe Mansell, maybe just. And maybe this, well, whatever it ... And what kind of car?
At first sight, this is one of the best supercars in which I had occasion to ride. And if it seems to describe in two words, then they are the "linearity" and "fairness" - whether the reaction on the gas, steering or brake.
This was confirmed the next day, when we moved to a circular route - a couple of miles from the "lifting up the hill."
Madcap "Festival of AIDS is over - and I began to find his footing. On this track.
- Please, please, just do not use full throttle. Please, please.
These «please, please» Japanese repeated twenty times. Supposedly on the "loud" parts of the route are microphones, and here we are allowed, provided that we do not much noise, preserving the peace of the surrounding farmers and sheep. Although the inside track - already two runways.
From full throttle I suppose I will not refuse, but the switch, so be it, I'll be early - spinning motor is not up to 8000, and before, a kind, 6500 rpm.
And after all was right the heck out of Costa Rica: the "rise of the hill" can be - and need! - It fell without a reset. Extremely docile car!
Steering wheel is not just partially covered with a polished carbon fiber - it is made out of it! That's just to keep their hands on this part of the rim unpleasant. However, the same can be said of the handlebars with wooden inlays
On the third lap I was a brazen, slipped on exterior curbs ... Because it has learned: if you get scared, then there are at least two exits.When frightened, but still not very - Davie on gas! Stabilization system a little bite left or right front wheel, creating a moment about the vertical axis and along the way dogruziv front end, but leave the rear tires break opportunity for a thrust into a skid. And only after the system throttled the engine has saved from the reversal or "whiplash" drift - if you panicked and did not exactly worked the wheel. Smooth traction on the rear wheels is provided by cross-axle "samoblokom» Torsen. But if you really scared, then the action of traffic rules - the brakes.The effect will be virtually the same - stay on the track, but the exit speed of rotation will be substantially lower. With rare exceptions, I opted for the first algorithm - and for the next circle discovered that I was missing ... Power! Benefit of this was the last lap.
On my arrogant remark that we could and more powerful, the chief designer Haruhiko Tanahashi said that the prototype even though it behaves like a future serial, but as far as power, then maybe ...
- What, serial Lexus LF-A will be more powerful?
- Probably, although we have not finally decided what will change ...
 |  |
| Aluminum floor pedals were on the "battle" Lexus. They are comfortable and "infallible" | Good compromise between "Japanese" head light switches (on the stalk lever) and "German" handles on the front panel |
Dear Tanahashi-san! I understand that you as an obedient son of the Toyota-mom doziruete information in strict accordance with the media plans. But my mediachute suggests that you long ago all know. What has made all the technological cards of assembly and signed contracts with suppliers, and workers completed the full course ... the more that work on the project began back in 2000!
Spiced mediachute laziness (not sit down for an article, wait a few more weeks - and all will become clear!) Did not disappoint. After two and a half months, I flew to Germany to see the already quite marketable Lexus LFA (that between the letters of the LF and A hyphen has disappeared - not a misprint: production car as it was presented to Lexus LFA). Not easy to see and ride again. And not just any train, and at the Nurburgring - first in the "formula" highway GP, and then - and Nordschleife, the Northern loop.
 |
| There's nothing here "under carbon": carbon fiber is a real! A desire to use it at every opportunity, based on the fact that the company Toyota - the first among major automakers! - To master your own production of parts made of carbon fiber |
Cultural shock happened. First, at various auto shows have shone concept cars, and secondly ... I once leafed through the press materials, was trying to ask the guys from the PR-Team: Say, who is the chief designer? Command, say, work. That's just it. Every detail has been planned and worked out great, but ... The mood is, and image - no. Remove from the chuck the letter «L» - and you can play guessing. But Lexus cars have already started to find their "vintage" genes, going on the offensive "something between a Mercedes, BMW and Audi». But the Lexus LFA is not like anything! And with the camouflage has disappeared and the similarity with the Coupe Toyota Celica. Brutal, powerful, visible. Supercar. But the sweetness of the "beauty" or «sexy» - not about him. New genes? LFA - a forerunner and guide future Lexus design language?
Subject was hushed up:
- Michael, tomorrow on the highway you will be pleasantly surprised. I did remember that in England you would like even more powerful ... We were specifically set limiter.
And rightly so.
Then, in politically correct England Tanahashi-san spoke little, but precisely. And he said, to remind you that the serial Lexus will go the same way as "militant".
In total, I rode ten laps on the track Gran Prix and two more - on the Nordschleife: it is! But the cut-off, marked with red flashes of the tachometer scale and an automatic transmission flip a step up, moved to the maximum 9000 rpm: under the hood is not 500 but 560 hp!And, of course, the salon has gained luster Lexus. I do not know why quibble. Well, a couple of times, twisting the wheel to the right and keeping your fingers on the petals of the gearshift, I inadvertently included the wipers and windshield washers. A couple of times it seemed that the effectiveness of slowing a bit more desirable depends on the movement of the pedal, rather than from the efforts of her.When starting from a place just rather tartly fires automatically grip. And on the North loop when moving from fourth to third, despite a programmed "peregazovku, a couple of times unpleasant cracked synchronizers - it seems the gearbox is on its way. Although the regulator "sporty", change speed gear, worked in the moderate regime, and not in the extreme, when the transmission changes for 0.2 seconds. By the way, the evening of the gearbox of the machine that cut a circle on the Nordschleife, yet ended. It is curious that at the time was not a triumphant speech Lexus here, a 24-hour race Nürburgring, one of the main causes of trouble, too, was a sequential gearbox Aisin ... But never, even when on the second, already brazen circle on North loop I get scared , there was no hint of what we have with the car lose a common language. Honesty and linearity. And amazingly friendly stabilization system: in most cases its interference I judged only by flashing.
 | No electronics, no active shock absorbers! Aluminum levers, conventional springs and dampers (except that front - with extra tanks) - and therefore a very natural perception of the car: you do not expect a dirty trick! And it is not |
This car is better or worse than, say, Porsche 911 Turbo, Lamborghini or any of the Audi R8 with motor V10? Usually we encourage readers to wait for the comparative test Autoreview. But this time, I'm afraid no such opportunity presented itself. Because cars Lexus LFA will be released only five hundred. Yes, limited edition, as in the case, for example, coupe, and then with Spider Alfa Romeo 8C. And this Lexus you will not see even in the branded showrooms in Moscow, not to mention away! The only all over Europe show car will deliver in London, and all the "client" machines will be made exclusively to order - not more than twenty per month and, of course, "hand". Black top, white bottom, matte painting "under carbon" and all that. Every whim. Russia is no exception, and with those who set out to buy a Lexus LFA, will communicate "curators" of the same in London. Unlike Western Europe, only one thing: there the car will cost around 400,000 euros, and we have - about 500. But even at these prices will remain unprofitable project: Lexus LFA - an investment in the image.Because each manufacturer of premium cars must have its own supercar. Rules of the game. They have also dictated and illumination at the Festival of speed, and participate in a 24-hour race at the Nurburgring. We - in the club!
Back in Moscow, and breath, I suddenly realized that in England and Germany went solely on race tracks, and a helmet. But how this supercar will behave on the roads, I have no idea. I have no doubt that the problems with "vpisyvaemostyu in traffic flow will not. And what about the smoothness that the visibility? Would not it be in Moscow's traffic jams annoying "robot"?
Boys, boys, and 'brother! Maybe give a bit of traveling? Then, after a year or two, some of you are first in Russia to get the Lexus LFA? I'll be careful. And the fact that in England, nearly blew the marshal, it's because of the hat - he's narrowing the angle of peripheral vision. What happened was that since we are clubbed buy a new one: all the same mediachute suggests that after the coupe will be a convertible. Or a coupe-cabriolet. Not in vain because the Japanese decided not to order carbon fiber monocoque side, and organized their own production - remember that before the company released Toyota looms ...
Most likely, the original plan was different. Two years ago, when work on the machine were in full swing, and talked about the coming crisis, only the most visionary, it is assumed "unlimited" edition. But now, when the waves of the crisis more and more wealthy people are infected with the virus of self-restraint and environmental concerns, giving the car a status of "collectible value" - is perhaps the only right thing to do. The main thing is to go out like a Maybach: we say, despite the avalanche of demand, will collect a year less than a thousand machines, but actually gained orders for nearly half ... but that Russia will have at least a dozen supercars Lexus LFA, I have little doubt.
| Passport data | ||
| Car | Lexus LFA | |
| Body type | two-door coupe | |
| Number of places | 2 | |
| Dimensions, mm | length | 4505 |
| width | 1895 | |
| height | 1220 | |
| wheelbase | 2605 | |
| Track front / rear | 1580/1570 | |
| ground clearance | 115 | |
| Curb weight, kg | 1480-1580 | |
| Gross weight, kg | 1750 | |
| Engine | gasoline, with distributed injection | |
| Location | Front, longitudinally | |
| Number of cylinders | 10, V-figurative | |
| Displacement, cm ³ | 4805 | |
| Bore / stroke, mm | 88,0 / 79,0 | |
| Compression ratio | 12,0:1 | |
| Number of valves | 40 | |
| Max. Power, hp / kW / rpm | 560/412/8700 | |
| Max. torque Nm / rpm | 480/6800 | |
| Gearbox | robot, a 6-speed | |
| Gear ratios | I | 3,23 |
| II | 2,19 | |
| III | 1,61 | |
| IV | 1,23 | |
| V | 0,97 | |
| VI | 0,80 | |
| main transmission | 3,42 | |
| Drive | rear | |
| Front suspension | independent, spring, double wishbone | |
| Rear suspension | independent, spring, multilink | |
| Brakes | disc, ventilated, ceramic | |
| Diameter front / rear disc, mm | 390/360 | |
| Tires front | 265/35 R20 | |
| Rear tires | 305/30 R20 | |
| Maximum speed km / h | 325 | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h, | 3,7 | |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 73 | |
| Fuel | Petrol AI-95-98 | |
The protracted debut
Igor Vladimir, photo Sergei ZNAEMSKOGO and firms Lexus
The emergence of the first super car brand Lexus audience was prepared for a long time and methodically: five years saw the light of three exhibition a prototype and a few racing cars!
Camouflaged prototypes were spotted at the Nurburgring in the autumn of 2004, and in January 2005, the first concept car Lexus LF-A debut at the Auto Show in Detroit. It was also stated that the serial machine will be equipped with V10 engine rated at more than 500 hpand robotized sequential gearbox. Assumed that the car will be available in 2008.
Exactly two years later was shown the second concept car Lexus LF-A - with the "Rethinking design 'exterior and interior. It is this version and forms the basis of production model, and later there were reports that parallel the traditional version with a gasoline engine to produce prepared and coupled with the hybrid power plant.
 |  |
| The first concept car Lexus LF-A (2005) | The second concept car Lexus LF-A (2007) |
In January 2008 appeared the third concept car - is already open body. From last year's sedan car was different in other headlights, new front and side spoilers, as well as the retractable rear wing.
The racing debut of the super-Lexus was May 10, 2008 in the VLN championship at the Nurburgring, and two weeks later the same Lexus LF-A was involved in 24-hour race on the North loop. Last night the car was exactly a hundred laps - and a half times less than car-winner of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: problems with the transmission of pilots were forced to make frequent and sometimes very long stop. As a result, Lexus LF-A finished seventh in the second division class SP8 (cars with engine capacity of 4,0-6,2 l) and 121 th place in the overall classification.
The third concept car Lexus LF-A (2008)
A year later, at the start of the daily marathon of Nurburgring out for two refined coupe Lexus LF-A. Cars have become faster and more reliable - the best lap time was reduced from last year's 9 minutes 6 seconds to 8 minutes, 50 seconds. But already on the first lap one of the cars hit a light accident - and was evacuated to the pits. Five hours later repaired car back on track, but in half an hour before the race finally came down because of fire. The second car got to the finish line, finishing 87 th place overall and fourth place in the classroom - were ahead of Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Audi RS4 sedan and ... Lexus IS-F, which is a ten-day ahead of a prototype for three laps! It seems that the Japanese still have work to do.
0 comments:
Post a Comment