Hiromu Naruse Lexus Supercar Test Driver Killed Driving Near Nurburgring Race-track

Nurburgring Germany June 24, 2010; The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Toyota and Lexus chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse, has reportedly been killed while testing Lexus's new LFA Nurburgring edition near the Nurburgring race-track in Germany.

Naruse, 67, is said to have veered into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a BMW which was also being tested at the time.

There were two occupants in the BMW; one is still believed to be in critical condition in hospital.

The crash, which took place on highway 410 near the famous Nurburgring race-track, is currently being investigated by German police. Reports claim that all involved were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Naruse has been referred to as the "Godfather of the LFA" - Lexus's first supercar - having had a hand in developing the supercar along with other classic Toyota and Lexus models, including the famed Toyota 2000GT.

The prototype of the upcoming special edition Lexus LFA Nurburgring was reportedly worth more than $2.1 million.

The LFA is Lexus's first ever supercar, designed to take on the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Gallardo.

Just 500 of the V10 powered supercars will be built, with at least five tipped to come to Australia priced at about $750,000.

Of the 500 LFAs Lexus will build, just 50 will be the limited edition Nurburgring model.

It has a more powerful version of the regular LFA's 5.0-litre V10, which produces 412kW.