It was Ed Loh who first noticed: "Funny," he said. "Once the production GT-R arrived, the Lexus LF-A prototypes disappeared from the Nurburgring." He has a point. Corvette engineers have been at the Nordschliefe in the 620-horse ZR1 running what appear to be comfortable 7min 40sec laps (in other words, better times than former Formula 1 ace Jan Magnussen in full commando attack mode managed in the Z06). But the LF-As, 'Ring-side spy shots of which arrived here almost on a weekly basis over the past few months, seem to have gone AWOL.

Maybe it's just the way Toyota's testing is scheduled (according to our spies at the 'Ring, the LF-A has resurfaced and should be on track shortly). But I wonder. Has the GT-R got Toyota running scared?

Originally revealed at the 2005 Detroit Show as a concept, the LF-A (a prototype caught at the 'Ring last year is pictured) features carbon-fiber intensive construction, and an F1-inspired naturally aspirated V-10 with at least 500hp. (A hybrid V-8 -- the electric motors drove the front wheels -- was tested at one point, but our intel suggests Toyota has gone back to the original V-10 idea.) Toyota has pledged the LF-A will be the company's first genuine supercar. Expectations are high.

Like us, Toyota's engineers know the Nissan GT-R is merely mortal. More horsepower than advertised -- at least 507 horsepower, according to our own dyno testing -- plus low gearing, all-wheel drive and the trick DSG dual clutch transmission help it deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. They also know the GT-R's mad rush is fading by the time the car reaches the quarter mile.

You can bet those engineers are swarming all over GT-Rs right now, pulling cars to pieces, and analyzing every detail. They will have been watching the testing at the Nurburgring, too, quietly noting the lap times. And they will now be aware the lighter, meaner GT-R V-Spec has been unofficially clocked lapping the Nordschliefe in close to 7min 25sec.

Toyota's problem is this: The GT-R has set the performance bar incredibly high for the next Japanese supercar. And Toyota being Toyota, delivering a supercar that's second-best to a Nissan is unthinkable, especially if it's going to carry the Lexus badge. The LF-A has to be faster than the GT-R, in a straight line, and around the legendary Nordschliefe. Otherwise it risks being perceived a failure.

[source]