Lexus will upgrade GS430 engine(spring 07)
03-13-06, 06:05 AM
#1
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Lexus will upgrade GS430 engine(spring 07)
German Lessons
Lexus takes media tactic from Bavarian rivals, alternates powertrain, sheetmetal changes
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...THISWEEKSISSUE
Lexus takes media tactic from Bavarian rivals, alternates powertrain, sheetmetal changes
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Lexus GS will get more power Model in showrooms Engine hp torque LBS.-FT. 0-60 MPH GS 300 Now 3.0-liter V-6 245 230 6.8 seconds GS 350 Fall 2006 3.5-liter V-6 306* 277* 5.6 seconds* GS 430 Now 4.3-liter V-8 300 325 5.7 seconds GS 460 Spring 2007 4.6-liter V-8 380* 370* n/a *Estimate Source: Lexus
LOS ANGELES -- Lexus executives have long envied BMW and Mercedes-Benz for the great press they get when they alternate sheet metal and powertrain changes on their vehicles every few years.
Lexus traditionally has changed sheet metal and powertrains at the same time. Now that's changing.
The company will upgrade the engines on both versions of the GS sedan within a year.
This fall, the GS 300, equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6, will get a 3.5-liter V-6 and be renamed the GS 350. It's more than a displacement bump; the GS 350 engine is part of a new engine family also used in the IS 350 sedan.
The 4.3-liter V-8 engine in the GS 430 will be bumped to 4.6 liters in spring 2007. The new model will be called the GS 460.
The GS was redesigned for the 2006 model year, so it is not due for new sheet metal for another five years or so.
Lexus is waiting for the redesigned 4.6-liter engine to debut in the LS 460 flagship this fall before moving it into other vehicles. The LS 460 will have an eight-speed automatic transmission. A Lexus source did not know if that transmission would carry over to the GS 460 as well.
Last month, Lexus confirmed that it was boosting the V-6 engine's displacement in the RX 330 SUV to 3.5 liters. That vehicle shares the engine with the Lexus ES 350 sedan. The V-6 engines in the IS and ES are mounted differently: the ES transversely, the IS longitudinally.
Lexus traditionally has changed sheet metal and powertrains at the same time. Now that's changing.
The company will upgrade the engines on both versions of the GS sedan within a year.
This fall, the GS 300, equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6, will get a 3.5-liter V-6 and be renamed the GS 350. It's more than a displacement bump; the GS 350 engine is part of a new engine family also used in the IS 350 sedan.
The 4.3-liter V-8 engine in the GS 430 will be bumped to 4.6 liters in spring 2007. The new model will be called the GS 460.
The GS was redesigned for the 2006 model year, so it is not due for new sheet metal for another five years or so.
Lexus is waiting for the redesigned 4.6-liter engine to debut in the LS 460 flagship this fall before moving it into other vehicles. The LS 460 will have an eight-speed automatic transmission. A Lexus source did not know if that transmission would carry over to the GS 460 as well.
Last month, Lexus confirmed that it was boosting the V-6 engine's displacement in the RX 330 SUV to 3.5 liters. That vehicle shares the engine with the Lexus ES 350 sedan. The V-6 engines in the IS and ES are mounted differently: the ES transversely, the IS longitudinally.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...THISWEEKSISSUE
Last edited by magneto112; 03-13-06 at 06:29 AM.
03-13-06, 07:04 AM
#5
This strategy makes a lot of sense. Focus on the LS460 first and
the GS350 which sorely needs a bigger engine to compete with the
M35. Sacrificing the GS430 is probably a good business decision, since
it is not a brisk seller. I heard some mention that they are on special order
on the East Coast.
the GS350 which sorely needs a bigger engine to compete with the
M35. Sacrificing the GS430 is probably a good business decision, since
it is not a brisk seller. I heard some mention that they are on special order
on the East Coast.
03-13-06, 08:06 AM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by Leets
seems like the time to score an awesome deal on the GS430 would be this fall...
... damn I wish I actually made money.
... damn I wish I actually made money.
but dude i see your ES's are hot, i absoulutly love that generation ES, and the fact that your ES is black and have a black rims with the chrome lip on it adds to the appeal of it.
Thought they would retune the GS engine so it will be more powerful than that of the LS? i read here on ClubLexus that the GS engines as well as the SC engine will have some type of horsepower and torque increase over the LS luxury sedan. but either way, its still more than enough power for this car. I see that Mercedes is placing their S-550 engine in the re-freshed E-class, re-naming it the E-550. But if the pics were true from what i saw on edmunds, the refreshed E lost its elegance because of the grill, and the lower front bumper trim. Will the 2007 GS models get some type of face-lift to make it look different than the 2006 models other than the 350 & 460 badging? you think?
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03-13-06, 08:59 AM
#9
very interesting, so they want to separate the launch of the 460 engine, first to the ls and then later to the gs huh. that probably make sense, it will help the sales of the gs450h as well.
they will definitely need to reduce the production of gs430 a lot, coz' the gs350 is faster and cost a lot less, and the gs450h cost about the same and a lot faster plus the fuel economy
good info
they will definitely need to reduce the production of gs430 a lot, coz' the gs350 is faster and cost a lot less, and the gs450h cost about the same and a lot faster plus the fuel economy
good info
03-13-06, 09:15 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Good, one less false rumor to debate on. Now we can just wait for Lexus to confirm that the GS450h won't be put in limited (2000?) production and we can all be happy.
0-60 in 5.6s eh...I still think that the final number will be 5.5s, and that C&D will be able to push it in 5.3s.
0-60 in 5.6s eh...I still think that the final number will be 5.5s, and that C&D will be able to push it in 5.3s.
03-13-06, 09:15 AM
#12
Originally Posted by rominl
very interesting, so they want to separate the launch of the 460 engine, first to the ls and then later to the gs huh. that probably make sense, it will help the sales of the gs450h as well.
they will definitely need to reduce the production of gs430 a lot, coz' the gs350 is faster and cost a lot less, and the gs450h cost about the same and a lot faster plus the fuel economy
good info
they will definitely need to reduce the production of gs430 a lot, coz' the gs350 is faster and cost a lot less, and the gs450h cost about the same and a lot faster plus the fuel economy
good info
03-13-06, 09:17 AM
#13
Originally Posted by spwolf
i thought we already talked about this... GS430 is special order only right now as it is.
but true, special order is the way to go
03-13-06, 10:48 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by jrock65
Well, that settles the nonsense about them discontinuing the V8 for the GS.
Part of the reason why the GS is selling a little bit slow is due to the engines being somewhat uncompetitive. The GS300 is fine when compared to the 525 and 530i, but the 550i easily outpowers the GS430. The M35 and M45 both outpower their respective GS competition too.
With the new engines, the GS will be put at the top of its class in engine power. Hopefully the GS will also get the gen 5 nav system, and the 8 speed on the GS460 is a possibility, although not too likely.