Lexus LFA Test Driver Killed in Germany

[MrVette83]

Autoblog is reporting that chief Toyota test driver Hiromu Naruse, Godfather of the LFA and Akio Toyoda's personal hotshoe, has been killed in an accident involving a Lexus LFA Nurburgring Special Edition after colliding with two BMW test drivers. Naruse has worked with Toyota since 1963 and knows the area around the Nurburgring intimately.


BREAKING: Toyota's chief test driver dies behind wheel of LFA in Germany — Autoblog

Lexus LFA Test Driver Reportedly Killed in Crash in Germany - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine

[demonrunning07]

that's so terrible, especially since he was such a relic to both Toyota and the automotive world. I wonder how it happened that that there could be a head-on collision on the Nurburgring. If you don't mind, could someone who speaks German give the rest of us a short synopsis of what the rescue worker said in the video?

[MrVette83]

that's so terrible, especially since he was such a relic to both Toyota and the automotive world. I wonder how it happened that that there could be a head-on collision on the Nurburgring. If you don't mind, could someone who speaks German give the rest of us a short synopsis of what the rescue worker said in the video?

I agree. He sounded like a living legend in Japanese auto lore. FWIW the collision did not occur at the Ring. It happened on a highway near there. 410 I think it was.

[wwgkd]

that's so terrible, especially since he was such a relic to both Toyota and the automotive world. I wonder how it happened that that there could be a head-on collision on the Nurburgring. If you don't mind, could someone who speaks German give the rest of us a short synopsis of what the rescue worker said in the video?

It is pretty sad. At least the BMW test drivers managed to survive.

It could have been a failure in the car, but I think at this stage of testing and at his age it's probably more likely that he had a medical problem which caused him to lose control. I'm sure the investigators will figure it out soon enough.

Anybody know what the BMW drivers were testing?

[Commodore GS/E]

The one thing that REALLY makes me sad about this accident is that one of the drivers was actually the father of the LFA- Toyotas best test driver. It's a bit like getting killed by your own creation. BTW, is there any information about the cause of the crash?

[MrVette83]

No information that I've found other than what I posted. I read the Lexus veered into the path of the BMW. My assumption is that he was flogging the car at a pretty good rate of speed and came through the turn at a blind angle and simply had no time/room to correct his position in the roadway.

[coolieman1220]

hmmm, i never was a fan of the LFA. curse from the get go? i guess the LFA's drivers age had a play in why he did not survive. Or is it the engineering of the BMW?

[LeonOfTheDead]

Anybody know what the BMW drivers were testing?

Looks like a standard restyled 3 Series.

hmmm, i never was a fan of the LFA. curse from the get go? i guess the LFA's drivers age had a play in why he did not survive. Or is it the engineering of the BMW?

His driving abilities appereared to be well over the average a few month ago at the first test drive of the LFA at the Homestead track, so I guess the only problem with his age could be that his body couln't sustain the stress of the accident.

Regardless, this is the fourth test driver or company's employer who lost it's life in the last few months. Sad news indeed, even if far worse things are happening out there each second.

[Ferrer]

He was also the father of the 2000GT.

Rest in peace.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I read an article in one of my car magazines recently extolling the virtues of this quiet, talented and humble man. May he rest in peace.

[Roentgen]

Sad news indeed. But at least he lived till a fairly good age of 67, and died doing a job he loves, in one of the most desirable cars on the planet.

R.I.P. Hiromu Naruse

[LHamilton_w]

The one thing that REALLY makes me sad about this accident is that one of the drivers was actually the father of the LFA- Toyotas best test driver. It's a bit like getting killed by your own creation. BTW, is there any information about the cause of the crash?

Oh, the Irony...

Seriously though, its pretty sad, and to think he could've done so much more with Toyota

[f6fhellcat13]

He seemed to have been quite important in creating some of Toyota's more interesting cars for the past half century.

RIP

The Hiromu Naruse Honor Roll : 7Tune.com