Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Laps the ‘Ring in 7:14.64 +video

The Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition has set the fourth fastest lap time by a production car  at the Nordschleife track – 7:14.64 – and we have it on video.

The news that the Lexus LFA Nurburgring has lapped the track after which it is named in a remarkable 7:14.64 will bring a smile to the face of Hiromu Naruse, wherever he may be.

Hiromu Naruse was considers by most whose opinion matters to be the ‘Godfather’ of the Japanese performance car’, and devoted most of the last decade of his life to honing and developing the LFA.

He lost his life in an LFA Nurburgring Edition in the Summer of 2010 whilst testing the car near the Nurburgring itself, and it’s nice to think that if he’d still been with us, despite his age, it could well have been Naruse-san at the wheel.

In fact, it was professional driver and fellow LFA tester, Akira Iida, who set the time on the last day of August, and Lexus are keen we know that the tyres on the LFA were Bridgestone Potenza RE070s – standard road-legal-spec – so there’s none of the 911/GT-R claim and counter claim.

The LFA did have a little tweak or two to help it set the record-breaking time , with a smidge more power for the 4.8 litre V10 (an extra 11bhp), stiffer suspension, mesh-type alloys, a faster 6-speed sequential ‘box and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic front apron and rear wing.

The LFA Nurburgring beats the quickest time for a standard LFA by 8 seconds and proves beyond doubt that the LFA is a true supercar. Man at the wheel, Akira Iida, said:

We are delighted with this achievement. Our ongoing development of the LFA and our recent outings at the Nürburgring 24hr race have enabled us to continue to tune the vehicle. The result with the LFA Nürburgring package shows the cars ultimate performance and agility. This is a first activity of its type for Lexus and the constant effort of the team has brought this fantastic result.

And he should also perhaps have said a big thank-you to Hiromu Naruse.

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Laps the ‘Ring in 7:14.64 +video

Nurburgring Nordschleife Production car Top 10 lap times

1. Radical SR8 LM 6:48
2. Radical SR8 6:55
3. Gumpert Apollo Sport 7:11.57
4. Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition 7:14.64
5. Donkervoort D8 RS 7:14.64
6. Porsch 911 GT2 RS 7:18
7. Donkervoort D8 RS 7:18.1
8. Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 7:19.63
9. Dodge Viper ACR 7:22.1
10. Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 7:22.18