From Fantasy to Reality: The History of the Lexus LFA

The LFA's decade-long development is fascinating story of ambition, innovation, tragedy, and triumph. It's an aspirational machine, meant to fuel dreams and inspire--even if few of us will ever get to drive it. Watch Lexus' halo car go from fantasy to reality.

Lexus (Japanese: レクサス) is a brand of luxury cars used by the Toyota Motor Corporation in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Asia (marketed in Japan in 2005) and New Zealand. Lexus first introduced in 1989 in the United States, and now a brand with the biggest sales of luxury cars from Japan. In 2006, Lexus sold in 70 countries around the world. Lexus Headquarters are in Toyota, Aichi, Japan.

Lexus Project began in 1983, a large team consisting of the best engineers from Toyota Motor Corporation, trying to make a sedan that can beat the world's best sedan. The result is the Lexus LS 400 was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in 1989.

These brands mainly compete with traditional German luxury brands like Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz. Since the 2000s, Lexus began to expand into global markets outside the United States. Lexus introduced to Japan in 2005. Then followed globally in the next year, including Indonesia in 2007.

Lexus was inspired from the success of the Toyota Supra and Toyota Cressida. Both are rear-wheel-drive cars with high-performance M engine.