Lexus LF-A test driver killed

[DaveP189]

Breaking news from Autoweek.com

Lexus LF-A test driver killed

The chief test driver for the Lexus LF-A sports car was killed in a crash on a public road near the famed Nürburgring where a prototype of a special Nürburgring edition of the car has been undergoing testing, according to sources in Germany.

The 67-year-old Japanese test driver apparently collided with a test car driven by two BMW test drivers outside the 'Ring earlier on Wednesday. The BMW drivers were injured but were expected to survive.

Toyota was expected to release a statement on the accident later in the day.

The LF-A supercar was revealed in production trim at the 2009 Tokyo motor show and is expected to go into production late this year as a 2012 model. The company plans to build just 500 copies of the $375,000 cars over a 24-month period. The $70,000 Nürburgring option will be offered on 50 cars, featuring a 562-hp version of the car's 4.8-liter V10 and other exclusive features.

[DaveEstey]

So BMW's are safer then.


RIP test driver, you lived the life most of us dream of.

[8valvegrowl]

Man, isn't this the 2nd or 3rd fatality on German public roads involving MFG Test Drivers recently?

RIP Lexus Stiggy, hope you were having fun up to the end, and hope the other guys pull through.

[DaveP189]

When you think about it, he didn't lose his life on the 'Ring, it was on the public roads - crappola

[willem]

I guess the LFA was his baby, he was a key part in the design and such. Word on the street was that he veered out of his lane into oncoming traffic. He was 67, I guess dieing in his ultimate creation wasn't a bad way to go! RIP