Twenty years ago, Acura challenged the notion that only Europeans could produce an exotic sports car with the NSX. In 2010, Lexus ratchets that challenge up a few notches by producing Japan’s first supercar, the LFA. Apart from being groundbreaking cars for Japan, the similarities end there. The LFA will employ a 4.8L V-10, rated at 552hp (at 8,700rpm) coupled to a six-speed automated sequential gearbox. Lexus claims 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 202mph.

Exclusivity of the LFA approaches Ferrari supercar practices. Only 500 cars will be made, with each car hand-built to customer specification. According to Autoblog, interested buyers must be interviewed by Lexus, where you will be judged on where you live, what other cars you own, how often, and where you drive your cars. It’s also worth noting that in the US, you cannot buy the car first. The LFA is only available here with a two-year lease, with the intent to buy the car at lease end. In other words, you don’t get to put a deposit on an LFA only to put in on E-Bay. Oh, and the price? $375,000USD. But only if Lexus approves you. Production is expected to start this December.