It’s been discovered that Toyota registered “LFA” at US Patent and Trademark Office on December 1st, 2008. It’s been interpreted by many as a positive sign, but this could be seen in two ways:

1. Lexus is moving forward with the supercar, and taking care of the name trademark is one of the many steps necessary.
2. Lexus doesn’t want anyone else registering “LFA”, regardless of their own plans.

Being an optimist, I believe it’s the former rather than the latter, even though it puts a giant hole in my theory that the LF-A concept was really the new SC. (Also, looks like the name is losing the hyphen.)

[Source: AutoSpies]

Here’s a couple new Lexus LF-A Racing Concept videos for you — first up is some stellar footage of a rocketing LF-A, which perfectly captures the engine belting it out full-force:

The other video of note is from the LF-A’s appearance at last week’s Toyota Motorsports Festival in Japan. As you might remember, the supercar was being driven by none other than Toyota executive vice-president Akio Toyoda:

I still love the look of this car. The rear 3/4 view is pure magic.

Regardless of the rumor Autoblog was circulating about the Lexus LF-A’s demise, prototype testing is still ongoing at Nürburgring, and Motor Authority has the photos to prove it. Here’s a sampling:

Nothing we haven’t seen before, though I can never pass up the chance to post matte black paint jobs. That last photo is curious, why the debadged IS-F?

Check out this photo up close along with a few more over at Motor Authority (and be sure to compliment them on their new design!).

(Thanks Jarrett!)

Autoblog trolled the Nürburgring and dug up some murky information on the Lexus LF-A:

…members of the testing and development crew who have been putting the car though its paces in Germany, as well as test drivers from rival Honda and Nissan crews, have told Autoblog that the LF-A is not destined for the showroom, and will remain only a development platform.

No reasons were given, but we can think of a couple. How many people are willing to part with nigh on a quarter of a million bucks for a Toyota/Lexus?

Actually, one ‘Ring test driver didn’t mind going on the record with his opinion. Former Nissan racer, NSX development driver and Nurburgring legend Motoharu “Gan-san” Kurosawa reckons, “Toyota are good at making money, but they’re no good at making sports cars.”

True or not, this doesn’t really push me in either direction. I’m not really swayed by anonymous sources that could just be talking out their necks. Still, with the massive upheaval of the US auto industry, there has to be some trepidation in any new car release, especially something so extravagant as the LF-A. In the three years since it was first introduced, a lot has changed, and I’m sure there’s a number of initiatives being reevaluated.

But really, “How many people are willing to part with nigh on a quarter of a million bucks for a Toyota/Lexus?” How tired is that? There may be some issues, but I doubt sales are one of them.

High Dynamic Range Imaging, or HDR Photography, is the process of layering multiple images with different exposures, which creates a vivid and otherworldly image.

It’s all the rage with digital photographers, including Flickr user NikonNikk, who applied the process to the Lexus LF-A (Be sure to click through and see it full-size):

It always amazes me just how creative people can be taking photos in such a controlled space. Fantastic.

Even if there’s nothing really new to look at, this Car Magazine video clip of the London Motor Show does feature the LF-A’s engine suspended in glass:

Looks smaller than I would expect.