Rare Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition Sold at Auction for $1.6 Million

Rare automobiles continue to soar, perhaps best illustrated by the recent RM Sotheby's auction of a 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition that sold for $1.6 million at the recent RM Sotheby's auction held in California in conjunction with Monterey Car Week.

The final numbers beat estimates of $900,000 to $1.1 million, including an original Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing ($1,352,000), a Hyundai Ford GT ($1,215,000), and a Bugatti Veyron ($1,545,000), exceeded the prices of a number of other rare cars offered at the auction.

Of course, the LFA Nürburgring Edition is no ordinary car. It is one of only 25 cars delivered to the United States and one of 64 built by Lexus. The car was developed to further enhance the LFA's performance, adding more aggressive aerodynamic elements such as a large front spoiler, dive planes, and a large fixed rear wing.

The LFA's 4.8-liter V-10 engine has also been increased by 10 hp to 562 hp, and the shifting of the 6-speed single clutch automatic gearbox has been shortened by 0.15 seconds. This leaves the standard LFA's 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds and top speed of 202 mph unchanged, despite the increased aerodynamic drag caused by the aero elements.

The Nürburgring Edition also featured model-specific suspension tuning, wheels, and tires. As a result, the LFA recorded a time of 7:14.64 at the Nürburgring in 2011, placing it in the top five production car lap times at the time. However, the 2012 model year added $70,000 to the LFA's base price of $375,000.

According to the listing, this special LFA Nürburgring Edition also has the unusual combination of a black exterior and black interior.

Considering that a standard LFA recently sold for $808,000 at Bring a Trailer, the price paid for this car may not be too shocking. However, the car had only 72 miles on it, while this LFA had 930 miles.

For more news from the recent Monterey Car Week, visit our dedicated hub.