Threxx

OK so when the RX350 came out and the RX400h remained using the old (and somewhat antiquated) 3.3L + hybrid, I was a little confused.

But I figured maybe there was something about the inherent design of the RX and the hybrid system that made it not worth the effort to move to the 3.5L until the next generation RX came out.

But this Highlander is all new. Everything is changed.

Yet they're still using the 3.3L V6 that every other Toyota product in the US market (except for the RX) has given up by now?

The 3.5L is as or more economical than the 3.3L, considerably more powerful, and probably better in most other measurable ways.

What gives?

If the all new RX comes out and STILL isn't using the 3.5L, then that will negate my last standing theory, which is that they didn't want the hybrid highlander to be more powerful than the RX hybrid... even though it looks to be nicer in most other regards, for now...

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Perhaps it's all about economics. Perhaps a business contract to use the technology is still in effect.

Also, a little more power (for a vehicle that can't handle such power) may not be a good thing. For example, I think the ES330 was perfect, but the ES350 is too much...

Ramon

I'm going to have to disagree... I don't see how the highlander and RX "can't handle more power" it's not like we're talking about putting in gear shredding V8's in there. As far as the 330 vs 350, I personally thought that the 330 seriously lacked power for a luxury sedan, it was downright underpowered IMO. I did however like the interior of the 330 better than the 350. When a stock civic can outrun your luxury sedan, that is definatly not the perfect amount of power to have. This of course is "IMO"

vipermann1

According to my buddy, he says it may have to do with production capacity. They are using nearly all of the new 3.5L engines which are produced. Until they can ramp up production, they are using the 3.3L to keep up with product demand.

Threxx

Well that's certainly a valid reason that I've seen used on many other product lines... BUT... usually they're 'used up' on the cheapest models, not the most expensive...

LexFather

Toyota/Lexus is learning to do product refreshes with engines. Like the GS 430 carrying over the same engine and going to GS 460 this fall.

I can believe the production issues as well.

Also, a hybrid 3.5 will easily make 300hp, it makes 340 in the GS 450h.

NeverSatisfied

Totally agree. 99% chance the '09 RX will still be a 350...

MoLexus

I don't think anyone buys a ES and races a Civic. The ES is a luxury sedan just like you said so if anyones thinks about racing a Civic they would be driving an IS.

formosa927

this is my guess...

i think maybe the v6 hybrid R&D started with 3.3L motor before the 3.5L motor came out on the highlander? they might not want to spend additional resource on the 3.5L design until the 3.3L pays off the R&D cost?

geko29

I think it's because they're not ready to re-tool the 3.5L production lines yet. The 3.3L in the hybrids is NOT identical to the one in the RX330. It has completely different heads, and no Variable Valve Timing. There are some other differences, but I'm not intimately familiar with them. Bottom line though, the 3.3L in the hybrids is detuned for less power and better efficiency. With the 3.5L going into so many products, it might just not be feasible at this point in time to convert some production into a less complex version. There also might not be a big advantage to doing that, since a lot of the power improvements on the new engine is due to the valve/head redesign, which would be stripped off if it was repurposed for hybrid duty anyway.

Purely conjecture, but that's my guess.

Lexmex

My feeling has always been, that with few exceptions, the power in SUVs is tied strongly to the weight of the vehicle itself.

MR_F1

True, but chances are that it wont be the 270hp 3.5L 2GR-FE, but rather the 306hp DI 2GR-FSE

Ramon

Talk about missing the point The Civic compro was only to illustrate how underpowered the ES330 is. A luxury sedan should have some *****, like the ES350 has and the ES330 lacks.

2JZ_SC

The hybrid system for the V6 was designed for the 3.3L not the 3.5L. The hybrid system is so touchy anyway. When they (Toyota) built and ran the prius on the salt flats, one of the things they tried to do was run bigger tires on the front to increase the top speed. The ECU went nuts. You can’t just bolt a different motor to the transaxle and expect it to work. Not in any Toyota hybrid. One last thing…The 3.5L is a 5.7l V8 with 2 less cylinders. All the VVT-I oil valves and valve designs are the same.

MR_F1

I think you would be wrong on that