mmarshall

Although there were a few V16's put into some luxury cars back in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it is true, in general, that as far as traditional piston-engines go, it's hard to beat a good V12 (or the VW/Audi W12) for smoothness. That's because the more power-pulses you have per unit of crankshaft rotation, the less you feel each one.

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.


The 4.6L V8 in the current LS460, though, is already one of the smoothest piston-engines on the planet, even though it is not a V12. As you note, though, it's not the equal of the Mercedes V12 in torque, particularly the twin-turbo AMG version.

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.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Audi's S8 comes equipped with a v10 (there will be another ) If Lexus did such a thing with the LFA motor & stuffed it in an LS body, then they would be in business. I would love to see comparo vids of the LS sport vs the competion.

mmarshall

There already are more V10s. They are available in the BMW M5, Dodge Viper, and some versions of the Ram pickup.

mmarshall

True, but what I meant is that sometimes computers determine at what RPM that process will happen. Spinning mechanical parts, by themselves, can't determing what speeds they are spinning at......it usually takes electronics.


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.

mmarshall

Back on topic, does anyone in this thread already own an LS460 Sport? I would imagine most of the talk for it is in the LS forum.

(Cj)

That could happen if a proverbial GS-F came out with a V10 and the LS also shared that V10 in a F sport model. Both would probably be modified versions of the LFA engine.

I believe there is one new LS Sport owner in the LS forum...

Och

iTrader: (3)

Not true. Valve train is purely mechanical, and spun by the timing belt/chain, which spins at whatever the speed of the crank. The computer controls fuel injection and ignition by not valve opening/closing.



Well, most of todays engines are interference, and this is why manufacturers are abandoning the quiet timing belts with maintenance free chains.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

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

mmarshall

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.

pagemaster

LMFAO

pagemaster

Cost of changing the belt has less to do with whether the manufacturer has a belt or not and more to do with power rating. The power of most cars today require a timing chain, the power of the 5.7 (381hp) and 4.6 (380hp) and even the 3.5 (306hp) is usually a little too much for most belts....at those power rating you might as well go with a chain. That is not to say that some 300hp engines can't have a belt...its just easier to get very high power rating with a chain. Also, cost..the cost of chain design is more than that of a belt...either way the consumer bears the cost.

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

I8ABMR

MY wife's TL has a timing belt and yes it is annoying to have to replace a belt. In fact I was blown away that Acura had designed the motor with a timing belt and not a timing chain.

pagemaster

Toyota has been using belts on their interference engines for a while now.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Most of Toyotas interference engines with timing belt started out as non interference.

pagemaster

Are you sure?