2012 Lexus LFA Front Three Quarters Driver

A little over a month after its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, Lexus’ most ambitious — and most expensive — car ever, the $350,000 552-hp-V-10-powered 2012 LFA, made its first appearance at a major North American auto show in Los Angeles.

Here’s what editor-at-large Arthur St. Antoine, who had the chance to sample the supercar at the famous Nurbugring Nordschliefe thought about the LFA’s on-road behavior:

2012 Lexus LFA Rear View 2

First impression: The LFA rides hard. Really hard. No variable shocks; the chassis is chef’s choice only. On smoother stretches of autobahn, the stiffness is largely irrelevant, but it’s not hard to imagine the LFA growing tiresome during extended drives on brittle roads. The V-10 is scintillating: It pulls hard, flaunts seemingly hidden torque (that light package), and propels the car ferociously (Toyota claims a 0-to-60 of 3.7 seconds and a top end of 204 mph). At 6000 rpm it’s just screaming away — with 3000 rpm left! The sound is racy, but nowhere near as arousing as a flat-plane-crank Italian V-8.

Full-bore on the track, shifts are quick enough-but, again, the superstar blueboods with their dual-clutch boxes fare far better. Steering feel is solid, though when teasing out the limits the chassis is nervy. The LFA lacks the easy, “organic” feel of, say, the SLS AMG. In contrast, the Lexus is very much a “digital” car — it brandishes all the requisite high-tech weaponry, yet it feels distant. It’s the difference between a car from a company that’s been making supercars for decades, and a car from a company that’s making…well, it’s first supercar ever.

Fast sports sedans and new hardtop convertible.

Lexus IS sedans and convertibles are quick, stylish rear-wheel-drive cars that combine sharp handling with luxury performance features. Trim, sleek and relatively light, they offer paddle-shift transmissions, good brakes and, in the IS 350, 0-60 acceleration as quick as 5.6 seconds. They are designed to offer comparable style and performance features as the BMW 3 Series cars and Mercedes CLK 350, but at a lower price.

The Lexus IS models come in sedan and hardtop convertible versions and with a choice of engines ranging from sensible to sporty to raceworthy.

For 2009, a new rear suspension has been employed for all models, and the steering has been retuned for improved steering feel and control. In addition, advanced dynamic handling technology formerly only offered on the Lexus IS 350 is now standard across the line. Significant styling revisions, inside and out, keep the IS sedans in tune with the sensibilities of the more sophisticated urban buyer.

A broad range of engines, transmissions and drive systems are available in the IS line. The 306-horsepower IS 350 is the performance leader of the group, but the entry-level IS 250 offers all-wheel drive, a manual transmission, and class-leading fuel mileage. For the most involved driver, there is the captivating IS F, which boasts a top speed of 168 mph and is powered by a 416-hp 5.0-liter V8. The IS F can compete with the BMW M3.

Convertible versions, called the IS C, are in the showroom. The 2010 Lexus IS 250 C and IS 350 C are true convertibles, converting from top-down roadster to hardtop coupe with the press of a button.

The Lexus IS sedan is comfortable for two and can seat five, but it’s not a family car like the Lexus ES 300. The back seat is not commodious, with rear legroom at a premium, though there is a car seat anchor for the little ones.

Styling revisions for 2009 include subtle changes to the grille and front bumper, and the rear bumper and taillight clusters. There are new interior color schemes and wheel designs, and turn signals are now integrated into the side-view mirrors.