Toyota's chief test driver dies behind wheel of LFA in Germany
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Wow, very sad day. This man was an absolute legend.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/b...ing/#continued
Adding a little more to this...
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/s...hiromu-naruse/
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/b...ing/#continued
According to reports, Toyota's chief test driver, 67-year-old Hiromu Naruse, has died in a crash on highway 410 near the famed Nürburgring race track in Germany. He was driving the recently spied Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition (above) at the time of the accident, and reports say he veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with two others test drivers in a BMW. The two BMW test drivers survived the crash, though one is reportedly still in critical condition. German video of the crash scene after the accident took place can be viewed below. Police are investigating the crash and have yet to determine its cause.
Naruse was heavily involved with the development of the Lexus LFA supercar he was driving, along with many other past sports cars from Toyota's history since he joined the company in 1963. Enthusiasts today call him the "Godfather of the LFA," though he was involved in the development of sports cars for Toyota going as far back as the storied 2000GT from the late 1960s. The prototype of a special edition version of the LFA that he was driving when the accident occurred was reportedly worth 1.5 million euro.
Naruse was heavily involved with the development of the Lexus LFA supercar he was driving, along with many other past sports cars from Toyota's history since he joined the company in 1963. Enthusiasts today call him the "Godfather of the LFA," though he was involved in the development of sports cars for Toyota going as far back as the storied 2000GT from the late 1960s. The prototype of a special edition version of the LFA that he was driving when the accident occurred was reportedly worth 1.5 million euro.
Adding a little more to this...
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/s...hiromu-naruse/
Last edited by Garage1217; 06-24-2010 at 02:25 AM.
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Given the relatively intact passenger compartment of the LFA, I'd say age-related health issues had more to do with his death than the vehicle accident itself. Either way, it's sad to see that car mangled up and even sadder to see Naruse passed away.
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Agreed, I just mentioned the same thing on another forum. Either health, or a split second distraction. Even a minor accident can tear someone up at that age so I guess will have to wait for the coroner
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All these toyota / scion fans & car enthusiasts should understand how this guy shaped the company. Just a mega loss overall.
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