Motor Trend has this great op-ed on the possibility of Toyota running scared of the Nissan GT-R. It takes into perspective the development of the Lexus LF-A which has been in development over past years and had been undergoing tests around the Nurburgring. Then, after the GT-R took its test laps around the ring, the LF-A mules mysteriously disappeared.

So is this a sign that Toyota went back to the drawing board after observing the GT-R. Well, probably. The GT-R has proven itself to be and Toyota wanted to make the LF-A its first proper sports car. Now how can Toyota, with all its might and glory, take second best to the GT-R, right? Pride, man. Pride.

Buzz had it that the LF-A was to be dubbed as the new king of the ‘Ring after posting a lap time that thrashed the time set by former king, the Pagani Zonda F. But the GT-R took the limelight by claiming to be even two seconds faster than the LF-A. We have received no new updates about the status of the LF-A as of late and it’s probably back to the drawing board with Toyota, trying to figure out what makes the GT-R a better car than the LF-A prototypes.

Pride’s a bitch. But at least, it’s enough motivation that would give gearheads another possibly great car in the LF-A.