mmarshall

.........as do some hybrid powertrains as well. Some of them are now performance-oriented.

Nextourer

At least BMW has had Valvetronic for a one and double VANOS. Two things Toyota just recently launched in their engines. (Valvematic and dual VVT-i respectively.)

Och

iTrader: (3)

AFAIK, double vanos is a copy of Honda's VTEK, just like the VVTi is.

encore888

Somebody had to say it!

IMO that system will not be missed. However, they should replace it with something that is simplified and streamlined, just not maddening!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Honda's VTEC engages at a certain RPM where as the VVTi system is enabled depending on the oil pressure level. Both of these systems only control the intake valve side. BMW's double vanos operate on both the intake and exhaust side of the cylinder head, and the lift and duration varies depending on the throttle position and revs.

They have the same function, but the design itself are not copies at all.

picus

Well if the 7 goes FI like the 3 and 5 than fuel economy will definitely improve. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the N54 has a very good mpg to power ratio in relation to its competition, no?

Oh, and not to go off topic; but the VQ is notorious for poor consumption; even the G37 which finally got variable valve timing is among the lowest mpg in it's class. Blame the lack of direct injection for that.

MR_F1

And without Valvematic, Toyota/Lexus engines still have better economy...... Imagine the possibilities when it is applied to the 2GR and 2UR engines.

Valvetronic in NOT a copy of Vtec, nor is VVTi. Of that group VVTi and [i]Vtec are the most similar, but all are implemented in different ways and valvetronic w/ VANOS is quite a bit more advanced than VTEC.

TRDFantasy

Far more than direct injection at play, especially with the IS-F's engine. For one thing, the IS-F engine has a super-light valvetrain, much lighter than any other Lexus engine. Other automakers use gasoline direct injection too, but they can't seem to achieve high performance and good fuel economy at the same time.

Yes, the N54 does get very good mpg for it's power output. We shall see how the competition responds.

The VQ *was* notorious for poor fuel consumption, but the newest VQ (in the G37) changes that. It uses VVEL which is basically an electronically-controlled valve lift system that does a similar function as Valvetronic, except it's more reliable and can withstand higher RPMs. Toyota has their own system (Valvematic) and Honda is due to release their system (A-VTEC) in 2009. These systems increase HP and fuel economy at the same time.

The VQ engines for years now have had variable valve timing. You got confused with variable valve lift.

FYI, the G37's fuel economy is very close to the IS350 despite being more powerful, having slightly higher curb weight, and using 5 speed auto compared to IS350's 6 speed.

Valvematic will have an even greater benefit when combined with direct injection.

doug_999

Guys, I don't see BMW getting rid of I-Drive in the near future. Improving it yes, getting rid of it no - the fact is OWNERS like it!

doug_999

They do? Can you provide specifics please?

LOL!

Exactly. I think it's great...it might take time getting used to but myself and other owners like it.

cjf_moraga

Nothing wrong conceptually with the concept of a unified controller - just the execution of iDrive is very non-intuitive to most... (It certainly was when I used it) The price for BMW of being a pioneer... The new Mercedes controller in my S600 is far easier to use... I think they got the balance right...

...interesting looking at all the manufacturers at the SF Autoshow the other day... Lexus is starting to stand out as the main luxury manufacturer that has not implemented anything like this... Given the sheer amount of functionalty available the LS looks somewhat anachronistic with all the buttons and switches all over the place... (IMO of course)

Worst execution must be Infiniti where you have to physically stretch to the dash to use the rotary controller... In that sense BMW/Mercedes/Audi are superior ergonomically in that the controller is immediately under-hand while you are in a relaxed position... Though Lexus has the touch screen I also find that ergonomically awkward to lean over to touch on our RX330...

Chris

G Star

iTrader: (2)

I believe most of what BMW is claiming but if they claim the new 7 will be better than the LS600h and cheaper, I will not believe it is cheaper because BMW is most definitely always more expensive than Lexus.

picus

Is that real world or manufacturer reported? Just wondering, afaik the G37 owners are getting 17-21mpg or so, sometimes less, very rarely more.

RFFG

Interesting...let's wait and see...