With an F1-like sound, hyper-responsive nature, and obsessive attention to detail, the Lexus 1LR-GUE V10 engine is one of the best ever. And here is the whole story!
When it comes to groundbreaking supercar engines, there’s no other configuration more popular than the V10. This engine type is revered for producing a sound that seems sent from heaven, all while keeping it in a relatively small package. Examples include the V10s used in the BMW E60, Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracan, Audi R8, and the Porsche Carrera GT. However, while these mills sure are unique in their own right, they all kinda fall short of Lexus‘ V10.
You might still think of Lexus as a somewhat dull brand producing reliable high-end vehicles, and for most of its history, you’d be right. However, after living in the shadows for almost two decades, the biggest Japanese luxury carmaker wanted to completely change its image — and thus, the Lexus LFA came to life. The brand’s first supercar arrived in 2010 after years of conceptualization and development, a technological tour de force throughout. However, the crown jewel was the 1LR-GUE V10 engine under the hood, which helped the supercar attain almost a mythical status.
Here’s how it happened.
Conceptualization
The very existence of the 1LR-GUE engine resulted from the LFA’s engineering challenges. For starters, Lexus’ technical director originally envisioned building an engine that was feather-light yet also possessed enough firepower to break speed and lap records. Moreover, since Lexus had decided to mount it in a front-mid configuration to achieve an ideal weight distribution, it had to be compact. To make things even trickier, the engine also had to be efficient and sound like the high-pitched F1 cars of the 2000s. At that time, Lexus’ parent company Toyota competed in Formula 1, and wanted to mark that with a production supercar.
With so many demands, Lexus turned to its long-time technical partner, Yamaha, to develop a bespoke powertrain platform for the LFA. After repeated debriefs and deliberations, both companies agreed to create an ultra-high performance 4.8-liter naturally-aspirated V10. However, if that wasn’t already enough of a challenge, it also needed to be as compact as a V8 and weigh only as much as a V6 — not a small feat!
The Technical Wizardry
The V10 in question here is no ordinary one. Indeed, it was honed and tested by a synergistic group of professionals who collectively pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering.
Such is the level of complexity and sophistication of the 1LR-GUE that the assembly of individual sand molds used to cast engine blocks alone takes about a week to make. Molten aluminum is then funneled through intricate and precise passages, taking shape as the engine block of the 72° V10. Moreover, Lexus and Yamaha utilized a combination of magnesium and titanium alloys in critical areas to ensure that the engine stays as light as a much smaller V6.
The use of these advanced materials to produce lighter components enhances engine responsiveness, thus reducing inertia. Firstly, the cylinder walls and forged pistons are coated with layers of low-friction material, allowing for nearly effortless movement. Secondly, the engine’s valvetrain is fitted with titanium alloys on the rocker arms, cams, and springs, lowering overall inertia.
Furthermore, Lexus also incorporated intelligent valve timing with high-cam and low-cam modes to vary the volume of air entering the engine intake. All these advanced technologies make it possible for the 1LR-GUE to hit its 9,000 rpm rev-limiter in only 0.6 seconds — so sensitive, in fact, that the LFA features a digital dial in place of an analog tachometer!
To put a cherry on top, Lexus also ensured its V10 was as reliable as any other engine it offers (no need to mention that the same cannot be said about most supercar engines). Indeed, the 1LR-GUE is hand-assembled and manufactured with very tight tolerances, in line with Toyota’s quality and reliability standards.
(Probably) The Best-Sounding Production Engine, Ever
Aside from everything discussed above, what really distinguishes the Lexus V10 from its competitors is the sheer amount of development that went into the noise produced by LFA’s intake and exhaust. Interestingly, Lexus collaborated with Yamaha’s instrument and sound division to recreate the iconic F1-style soundtrack.
To achieve that, Yamaha manufactured a special surge tank with horizontal ribs, vibrating like a string instrument based on the engine’s RPM. The frequencies are then channeled through appropriately-placed sound chambers near the A-pillar and floorboard, drawing the driver into a state of euphoria when stepping on the gas. Meanwhile, the exhaust is routed through a symmetrical split section converging to a sound chamber with variable valves actuated based on the engine speed.
The result? Anything above 3,000 rpm equals pure bliss!
Lukewarm Reception
From today’s point of view, the LFA was perhaps the most unique supercar of its era, as it focused on driving experience rather than the quickest possible 0-60 times. However, when new, it cost about $350,000, way above similarly-fast offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini. And remember, at that time, Lexus was that boring brand, mostly producing cars for the elderly. The 1LR-GUE V10 was highly praised, but buyers didn’t think that was enough to elevate the LFA to the rank of Italian supercar manufacturers — the Lexus badge was simply not up to the task.
So much so that Lexus didn’t even manage to sell all of the 500 examples it produced. Even worse, the Japanese brand had researched and developed the LFA for almost 10 years in Toyota’s F1 center, producing various prototypes along the way — not cheap. And despite the final model competing in endurance racing events before going into production, it still wasn’t enough. Consequently, Lexus knew that if it wanted to escape its paltry image, it needed to do something that no other company had done before.
The Aftermath
Nonetheless, the LFA still turned out rather successful, becoming one of the most desirable supercars nowadays. How? It arguably all started when Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed it “the best car he’s ever driven” (Top Gear S19E02), a statement that created quite a stir among enthusiasts. Afterward, many other reviewers uncovered the LFA as an engineering marvel, with the Lexus 1LR-GUE V10 at the center of all that.
And remember those Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars that were more popular when new? Well, today, no one is talking about the 599 GTB Fiorano’s V12 or Gallardo’s V10 anymore, while the LFA’s V10 is now nothing short of legendary. And, of course, it is since people tend to take performance out of the equation when assessing older cars. Newer models, and especially EVs, will be quicker, sure, but it’s the experience that makes a real difference. And the Lexus V10 can provide something that most engines can’t — a true connection with the driver, extraordinary sound, and astounding attention to detail.
Unfortunately for us, regular Joes, the price of the Lexus LFA is on a quick rise, with some examples approaching the dreaded $1M frontier. To make things even worse, the 1LR-GUE V10 was specifically designed for that particular car and wasn’t used in any other Lexus model, adding to the appeal but also diminishing the chances we’ll ever get to try one.
On a more positive note, Lexus promised to launch another supercar, and if the rumors are true, we could probably see two. The first one would be a plug-in hybrid model acting as a farewell to the brand’s internal combustion engines, arriving in the next few years, while the second one would be an all-electric supercar that Lexus already showed a prototype of.
Regardless of the powertrain in Lexus’ next-gen LFAs, let’s hope that engineers have the determination to design the ultimate driver’s car — again.
Meanwhile, get your headset ready and drool over LFA’s engine sound in these videos.
Download your Lexus owners manual here!
Gallery: Lexus LFA and 1LR-GUE Engine
