Lexus LFA Racecar Spotted in Toyota Wind Tunnel

This earlier photo has a different hood than Iida's image

© photo by Auto Guide, licence: Attribution

LexusLexusJapan, 1989 > present26 models
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6 videos
LFALexus LFA Gen.0Japan, 2012 > present4 versions
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racer Akira Iida might have busted a ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
4570 photos
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secret open. He posted a picture on his Twitter showing a Lexus LFA model in racing trim on a wind tunnel at Toyota.

Iida tweeted the image on October 29 at 5:01am Eastern Time and followed it seconds later with the tweet "I forgot to comment! Next challenge!"

A very similar car was spotted in July at Toyota Motorsport GmbH. However, this car has some front end differences from the one spotted by Iida. 

There appears to be three possibilities for this car. First, it is possible that Toyota is developing the LFA for SuperGT competition. Iida was 2002 SuperGT champion in the Toyota SupraToyota Tom's Supra GT500Japan, 1997 > present2 photos
and last raced the SC430Lexus SC Gen.2Japan, 2001 > present2 versions
5 photos
for the team in 2008.

Second, Toyota might be developing the car for some other racing class. Iida has been racing the LFA at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring since 2008. Toyota might be prepping the car for GT3 competition to challenge for an overall win in the 24-hour race. Or it could even be prepping it for GTE competition and have cars in two classes at Le Mans. 

The final option is that Toyota is preparing an even more powerful street version, although this appears to be the least likely. 

Iida has not mentioned the car since then on his Twitter or his blog. 

Iida has been racing in touring car and edurance races around Japan since 1989. In addition to his SuperGT championship, he has also raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Source: Autoblog and Auto Guide