AutoArt’s 1/18 Scale Lexus LFA Finished in Whitest White
One of the most anticipated models of 2022 is finally here.
The Lexus LFA was always one of those supercars that I appreciated, but never understood the hype. It was before its time, perhaps. Lexus set out to prove it could hang with the best from Stuttgart and Maranello and not just a brand of upscale Camry’s for boomers. Powering this beast was a bespoke V10 engine that Toyota developed with Yamaha. The body panels were made of incredibly strong, super lightweight, carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. Production numbers were limited to only 500, which explains why I have never gazed upon one with my own eyes.
Back then though, I quickly discounted the LFA. I found the triangular front brake vents a bit too…. Jack-o-laterny for my tastes. The slotted vent where the hood meets the front bumper looked more like a misaligned panel than an intentional design. It was still, to me, just a Lexus. Here I am a decade later staring at my most coveted model release of 2022!
AutoArt released the LFA in a variety of flavors back in the day, all with metal diecast bodies. Good luck securing one today while keeping both kidneys in your abdomen. At some point last year, the model maker announced a slew of cars from their metallic heyday that were being re-issued in their new fangled ABS Composite bodies. Thanks to this initiative we have once again the opportunity to add icons like the Nissan R34, Lamborghini Diablo GTR, and this Lexus LFA model to our collections.
I was determined not to miss the boat this time, and preordered two models in Whitest White just in case. I’m calling the debate over composite and diecast; I feel no shame ordering ABS AutoArt models anymore. The shut lines are crispy clean. These light plastic models set themselves apart from their heavier resin counterparts by allowing for vents you can look through, and operational features like the slick rear wing. A hidden button underneath the rear end of the car deloys the spoiler, which can be positioned in downforce mode or airbrake mode. A few clicks later, probably after a couple of attempts, and you can lock down the wing once more for displaying in “cruising mode”.
The LFA’s interior is nothing short of fantastic. While the red carpet and accents look too ketchup and mustard spec on the Pearl Yellow car, it compliments the Whitest White paint well on my model. The steering wheel has paddle shifters and the center stack is a full array of detailed buttons and knobs. Both doors open with ease to show off the cushy red leather seats with real cloth seat belts with metal buckles.
AutoArt’s wheels on this thing are just that: a work of art! Finished in black chrome, we have God-teir details like lugnuts, valve stems, and crisp Lexus logos on the center caps and red brake calipers. We even have raised lettering on the side ways of the Bridgestone tires. And that exhaust!
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