LFA vs 4.0 (plus a special guest)
I never thought I'd write that but the Toyota wins. Pretty much everywhere except the engine. It's more torquey and useable in the RS. In the Lexus, there's nothing under 5000 rpm and it really wakes up at 7000 rpm (I know, crazy, my 997 Turbo s redline was 6500...)
The chassis is super rigid (carbon tub) and yet compliant, the gearbox is perfect, although sometimes, you're calling a downshift and the computer won't let you do it. Brakes are amazing, better than the Porsche, more initial bite.
The RS with its engine in the back is easier to control, less snappy on exit oversteer, but it's front end is less precise (obviously), but it also felt a lot softer (even in PASM sport), definitely less hardcore (And I'm writing this about an RS) the manual gearbox is joy to use, but the best is really its engine, it's a masterpiece.
You feel better in the Porsche too, better view and pedal position. I miss the bucket seats in the Toyota, the normal seats are comfy but you move around too much.
Didn't get laptimes and that was not the point but the LFA felt faster especially with Manu behind the wheel!
Sorry for the awful pics, really shit camera phone.
We drove the GT1 too. and what a car!!!! A very special moment for Manu who drove the sister car in 1997 at Le Mans ( and almost won! the car burned down in the last stint and they were leading). This is 25 who was driven by Porsche legend Bob Wolleck and Hans Stuck.
I was expecting a hard car to drive but not at all, the turbo engine is incredible, the noises it makes are pure racing theatre, H pattern manual gearbox is fabulous. The brakes are full carbon and need heating up but once they're hot, you feel like you've hit a wall when you brake hard, it's powerful and odd.
First time I drive a car with proper downforce and it's also odd at first, but you get used to it and once you get it, it's so much fun! The faster you get into a fast corner, the more grip you have. A truly epic car!
