Here’s Why The Lexus LFA’s V10 Engine Is An Engineering Marvel

Lexus's 1LR-GUE V10 engine in the LFA supercar is powerful and sonorous, and yet, as compact as a V8 and as lightweight as a V6 mill

It's no secret that Toyota is making a great sporting comeback with the GR brand. Gearheads are going after not just the GR Supra and GR 86, but also the GR Yaris and the GR Corolla. Prior to this renaissance, the carmaker created great sports cars and supercars for both the road and the track. Of course, there was the old Supra for the Toyota brand, as well as the LFA supercar for its Lexus luxury arm.

While the Lexus LFA saw its marketing success hardly reaching a strong momentum, no thanks to its extremely high price, it was an astonishing machine that would help define the elite of supercars. This is ultimately thanks to years of development, and the strong early support from now Toyota president Akio Toyoda. The top honcho also known as the master driver Morizo personally made the Lexus LFA his project.

Nevertheless, the LFA wouldn't become a legendary supercar if not for some vital parts and components that defined it. This includes the iconic V10 engine under its hood. A true engineering marvel, the V10 engine in the LFA is the main reason why the supercar has become a sensational drive.

Toyota started the LFA in the early 2000s as an R&D program. Soon, Lexus chief engineer Haruhiko Tanashi, Toyota master driver Hiromu Naruse and Akio Toyoda were leading its development. They completed the first prototype in 2003, and Akio completed a lap in the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit more than a year later.

Around nine years since the program started, Lexus unveiled the LFA in 2009 and commenced its production in late 2010. Toyota left no expenses spared to develop the LFA, including the V10 engine under its hood. Toyota reached out to Yamaha to develop this then-new V10 engine, which eventually earned the code name "1LR-GUE V10."

Toyota employed the LR V10 engine exclusively on the Lexus LFA until the end of its 500-unit production. This engine was an obvious choice, it could deliver a huge amount of power and heavenly noise, while remaining compact and lightweight. In fact, according to Lexus, the LR V10 engine is as large as a regular V8 engine and as light as a conventional V6 mill.

Interestingly, Toyota intended the LR V10 engine to carry this character. The LR V10 had to be compact, as it needed to fit into a front-mid configuration for an ideal weight distribution. Likewise, a lighter engine cuts the overall weight of the final production supercar. Amazingly, despite its power, the LR V10 mill managed to exceed Euro 5 emissions standards.

RELATED: This Is Why It Took Lexus Nine Years To Build The LFA

Keeping the LR V10 engine compact and light, while powerful and efficient, was truly an achievement for Toyota. This wasn't an easy matter to achieve, as the V10 engine is a naturally aspirated unit with no turbocharger boost. Toyota also had to employ materials such as aluminum, titanium and magnesium alloys to deliver the V10 engine they envision.

For instance, Lexus coated the cylinder walls and forged pistons with layers of low-friction material, ensuring, allowing almost effortless movement inside the cylinders. In addition, they fitted the V10 engine's valvetrain with titanium alloys, specifically on the rocker arm, cam, and springs. Lexus also cast the engine blocks from molten aluminum.

In its final form, the LR V10 engine displaces 4.8 liters and can provide 552 hp of max output and 354 lb-ft of peak torque. Rev limit is at 9,000 rpm, with max torque available at 6,800 rpm. These numbers are thanks to Dual VVT-i technology, equal length exhaust manifolds and 12-hole fuel injectors – all combining to increase the rotating force from 3,700 rpm to 9,000 rpm.

In terms of performance, the Lexus LFA supercar can zoom from nil to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 mph. While this means that the LFA is really slow compared to today's supercars, the Lexus machine is actually blazingly fast compared to its peers back in its heyday. Of course, it can still give modern sports car a good run for their money.

RELATED: Here's Why The Lexus LFA's Screaming V10 Sounds So Good

There is more to the roaring LR V10 engine in the LFA. Lexus placed the cylinder heads at a 72-degree angle between each other. In this setup, which is wider than other V formations – the engine's individual, electronically controlled throttle bodies can deliver outstanding throttle feedback, which in turn ensures a smooth riding experience.

Moreover, Lexus employed a dry sump lubrication system to ensure it can position the engine block deep in the engine bay. This positioning helps lower the supercar's center of gravity and moment of inertia, thereby allowing the LR V10 engine to handle sustained, high-speed cornering. Lexus also fitted the LFA with a Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) system, which helps stabilize the super car at any speed.

To ensure that the LR V10 engine can deliver power to the wheels in the most potent manner possible, Lexus paired the mill to a 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) to drive the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. Lexus contained the ASG in a transaxle mounted over the rear axle, helping achieve a 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution.

Source: Lexus, Toyota

Julybien Atadero writes from the island of Cebu covering various automotive topics including new sports cars, classic muscles, pickup trucks and SUVs. While I like peace and quiet, I love playing with my kid. When I have nothing else to do, I watch documentaries and animations.