Road & Track on the Lexus LS460 Sport
#91
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A V12 is inherently smoother (perfectly balanced) than any other configuration (Essentially two coupled I-6's) with a power delivery curve, torque, and acceleration, throughout the range that is in a different league. It is a very mechanically sweet and pure design and the natural engine for a luxury or high performance car. Bragging rights are irrelevant except to those whose idea of quality is numbers of cylinders and not good engineering.
However, most engineers feel that rotary engines, such as the ones used in some Mazdas and the four-rotor Mercedes C111, represent the ultimate in internal-combustion-engine smoothness. That's one reason, among several, why the Mazda Renesis rotary has a 9000-RPM redline.
I have lived with my S600 for 2 years. I would have loved another LS but the LS600h (which I tested extensively) just could not compete - but I really wish Lexus would. I see a gap in the traffic 50 yards ahead of me... a slight pressure of my foot.. and in an instant I am there... its the next best thing to a transporter beam... the way power is delivered makes any maneuver at any speed in complete confidence. There are few if any situations I can not easily maneuver out of. The way the S600 V12 delivers power makes it simply the safest car I have ever driven and well worth the price. (And it even does 21 mpg for an almost 10 year old 3 valve engine design)
Coming back to the thread subject an Lexus V12 equivalent would be to me a true LS Sport! (And one I would seriously consider buying)
Coming back to the thread subject an Lexus V12 equivalent would be to me a true LS Sport! (And one I would seriously consider buying)
And, besides the reasons you already like your S600, you can add to them the fact that it has some of the most advcanced safety features in the industry......something that Volvo and Mercedes are known for, especially in their flagships.
#93
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#94
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Furthermore, most modern engines are high compression, and therefore they are interference engines, which means that even if there was a way to keep valves open during cylinder cycles, they would get damaged by the moving pistons (like what happens when timing belt breaks on interference engines).
#96
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I believe there is one new LS Sport owner in the LS forum...
#97
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Some are; some aren't. If an engine is interference or non-inteference, though, that will be the case whether fuel is being fed to it or not. Either the valves/pistons collide at maximum extensions or they do not. And, yes, THAT is why it is so important to replace the timing belt at the proper interval.
#98
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There is actual video footage of the LS sport vs a Mitsubishi Evo. Click "video wiederholan"
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6529148/Lexus_vs_Leitplanke
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6529148/Lexus_vs_Leitplanke
#99
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Well, most of todays engines are interference, and this is why manufacturers are abandoning the quiet timing belts with maintenance free chains.
#100
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There is actual video footage of the LS sport vs a Mitsubishi Evo. Click "video wiederholan"
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6529148/Lexus_vs_Leitplanke
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6529148/Lexus_vs_Leitplanke
#101
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In the past, Toyota/Lexus engines were known for be quiet and not as well known for being powerful....it made up for less HP with lesser drivetrain loss
The maintanence free advantage of the chain is minimal in the long term operation of the vehicle as most cars these days will only see one timing belt change....perhaps maybe a second one on some occasion.....that being said my 4.7 is due for its second and my gf's 4.3 still hasn't had its first
Last edited by pagemaster; 02-14-10 at 02:55 PM.
#102
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I think you misunderstood my post. True, mechanical parts in an engine usually operate and spin in harmony....we agree there. But the actual RPM readout....and engine management system.....is determined by electronics; that's all I was saying.
Actually, chains are coming back mostly from customer complaints/requests. Timing-belt replacements can be a costly, inconvienent PITA, and, with transverse-mounted engines, can involve quite a bit of labor.
Actually, chains are coming back mostly from customer complaints/requests. Timing-belt replacements can be a costly, inconvienent PITA, and, with transverse-mounted engines, can involve quite a bit of labor.
#103
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