Road Test: LEXUS LFA
I NEVER thought that a small, grey-haired old man could possibly scare the life out of me.
But a 67-year-old Japanese guy called Hiromu Naruse did just that - by taking me on the fastest and most exhilarating drive of my life.
Hiromu, right, doesn't speak any English. He does all his talking with his hands and feet in a blur of high-speed movements that should belong to someone half his age.
He proved to me just how outstanding a supercar the LFA is by taking it to its considerable limits on the famous Nurburgring race circuit.
At this point I should explain that Hiromu is in fact a Lexus/Toyota legend with the brilliant title of Master Test Driver.
And he is known as the Godfather of Speed for very good reason.
He was able to make driving a supercar at ridiculous speeds at the Nurburgring - one of the most demanding circuits in the world - look like a Sunday afternoon drive.
It was the most complete performance of man and machine in perfect harmony that I've experienced since I was taken for a ride by the late Colin McRae in a Focus RS.
It also made a mockery of my own attempts earlier on the track to push the LFA to what I thought was close to its limits, only to realise it had several gears left.
First drive ... Ken gets to grips with the stunning LFA
That said, it was the fastest I've ever driven around a race track and with the adrenaline pumping I kept shouting: "Out of the way Button" as I overtook imaginary race cars. Driving the LFA at speed is a pure adrenalin rush that left me sweaty-palmed at the end of several laps of sheer unadulterated pleasure.
I was left wishing I could win the Lottery so I could put my name down for an LFA.
Even though I know it's seriously overpriced, it's a car you'd love to own if money was no object.
On ordinary roads, you can drive the LFA like an ordinary car.
But trust me you won't...
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