Lexus LF-A Roadster: the star of Detroit

Lexus has unveiled its most desirable car yet – the stunning Lexus LF-A Roadster

The 500bhp supercar concept, unveiled at the Detroit motor show is based on the light-weight carbon fibre and aluminium body of its coupe concept brother and uses the same high-revving V10 5-litre engine.

The high tech motor sits under the long bonnet, just in front of the driver for optimum weight distribution, and produces enough grunt to push the Lexus LF-A Roadster beyond 200mph.

Its low sleek shape - standing only 48-inches tall - is honed to produce low drag and high stability on the move.

The Roadster sees the addition of a variable spoiler, which lowers and rises into the air stream to aid downforce and grip.

It also has a facelifted nose when compared to the Lexus LF-A Coupe seen at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, with positive design alterations which give the Roadster a more polished and desirable snout.

The rear is all new, with a rear deck and spoiler giving the Lexus LF-A Roadster a hugely modern and unmistakeably Japanese image.

And three exhaust pipes arranged in a triangle are better integrated into this latest concept.

Arrowhead-shaped taillights surround large rear grilles which vent hot air which enters above the rear wings via two large intake ducts and passes through two rear-mounted engine radiators.

Huge racing-style brakes will be standard across the range – and fully necessary if rumours of the LF-A’s stellar speed around tracks including the Nurburgring are to be believed.

Click for more pictures of the Lexus LF-A Roadster