The LFA and CCX are both unique supercars of the modern era.
In 2005, Lexus launched the LFA concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, smashing all expectations. After a half-decade of development and countless modifications, the first automobile eventually rolled off the assembly line. Although the research work for this vehicle began in 2001, the implementation gained momentum owing to the excitement of its engineers and Toyota's dedication to R&D. Originally, the vehicle was intended to be made of aluminum; however, the carmaker chose to use carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic instead. The CCX, on the other hand, was the first Koenigsegg that was created with advanced cutting-edge technology. A third-generation vehicle, all of its body and chassis hardware was planned in 3D cad and cut using CNC machines, unlike the previous trims that were manually sculpted and manufactured.
Koenigsegg’s CCX underwent several changes. The chassis was modified to satisfy the American market, and the vehicle’s roofline, bumpers, and illumination were also elevated. The car’s electrical system was digitized, and semiconductor technology was used for fuses and relays. The Lexus LFA, on the other hand, with its bold styling set new standards for competitors.
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The LFA's design prioritized utility above appearance. The use of carbon fiber for the bodywork was an excellent decision, as it allowed exceptionally sharp edges and cutoffs that improved the overall aerodynamic performance. The vehicle had a low drag coefficient of 0.31, thus, generating more downforce than any of its competitors. Even on the inside, corners of the door mirrors were sculpted to direct air into scoops over the rear fenders, which feed the back radiators. The vehicle also featured triple exhausts that provided symmetry to the rear end and produced a boisterous, F1-like sound. The rear diffuser, built with the same carbon fiber composite as the rest of the body, looked terrific and contributed to the LFA's low drag coefficient.
The Koenigsegg CCX, on the other hand, won awards for its aerodynamics that conveyed boldness and agility. The supercar was designed to optimize maximum speed and effectiveness, and every part fulfilled a critical function. It was a highly practical vehicle, as the carmaker got rid of all unnecessary components and focused only on those that would contribute to efficiency. Talking about the wheels, Koenigsegg offered in-built magnesium alloy wheels as standard. However, there was an option to upgrade to carbon or magnesium wheels that weighed about 6.6 lbs less than the normal ones. The front wheels had a diameter of 19-inches, while the rear wheels held a diameter of 20-inches. The vehicle featured front and rear cast-iron disc brakes that measured 14-inches across 1.25-inches of contact at any point and were equipped with six-piston calipers. The brakes could be modified to carbon-ceramic brakes, which weighed 4.4 lbs less per wheel and had a 15-inch diameter, 1.34-inch contact area, and eight-piston brake calipers.
The LFA was powered by a 4.8-liter V10 developed in collaboration with Yamaha. It was a compact unit that produced 553 HP at 8,700 RPM and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 RPM. A Torsen limited-slip differential was included inside the rear-mounted, six-speed automatic manual transaxle. There were also different driving modes available: automatic, regular, wet, and sport, as well as manual shift speeds. Additionally, the stability-control system allowed for more yaw in sport mode, although it may be turned off altogether.
Contrastingly, a hand-built 806 HP 4.7-liter V8 powered the CCX. It was a mid-engined, carbon-bodied marvel and reached the 0-60 MPH mark in 3.2 seconds. The vehicle also boasted a top speed of 259 MPH. The carmaker also offered an eco-friendly CCXR model that could operate on E85 bioethanol, increasing power to 1,018 HP. The CCX came standard with a six-speed manual gearbox developed by Cima for Koenigsegg, featuring a double plate clutch with a diameter of 8.46-inches. However, a sequential manual transmission option was available. Power was sent to the wheels through a torque-sensitive, controlled slip differential.
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The CCX was the first Koenigsegg to depart from a design based on a Ford engine block. The vehicle’s engine set the groundwork for all subsequent Koenigsegg engines. In its lifetime, the car set up several records in terms of speed. In 2005, CCX set a Top Gear Track lap record of just 1:17.60. The following year, it again topped the speed record with the Nürburgring speed record of 194 MPH, and it didn’t end here. In 2008, the CCX clocked 9.3 seconds to reach 0 to 124 MPH, and again in the same year, the CCX did an 0-186-0 MPH run in just 29.3 seconds. The LFA, built with a team of highly skilled engineers, was awarded the first position in the world's toughest endurance event, the Nurburgring 24-hour, setting the vehicle in a class apart from its competitors. This marked the first of many setbacks for the established rivals. The supercar acquired the first position again in the 2012 Nurburgring 24-hour and 2013 4-hour events.
The incredible performance and speed of the Lexus LFA and Koenigsegg CCX left an admirable presence in automotive history. The base version of the LFA was priced at $375,000, whereas the CCX was much more expensive, coming up to $700,000.
Sources: Lexus, Koenigsegg, Car And Driver
A silent soul who dares to dream, Vrushali Padia is passionate about writing ever since her college days and has written in diverse niches. She is now an Electronics Engineer and a Writer. When she is not writing, she's exploring.