Lexus 3.5 V-6 and 4.6 V-8...what next?
#46
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How realistic is it that Lexus would introduce a 9 speed automatic(to one up the competition just like back in 2007) to pair with a larger displacement V8? In theory, it would improve fuel economy.
#47
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Lexus could introduce a new tranny, who knows. The thing is, as you add more gears to a tranny, you get diminishing returns in terms of performance and fuel economy. Transmission cost and complexity also increases. Having more than 8 or 9 gears doesn't make a whole lot of sense I think.
Mercedes is reportedly set to introduce a 9-speed tranny with the next-gen S-Class. We'll see what Lexus does.
Mercedes is reportedly set to introduce a 9-speed tranny with the next-gen S-Class. We'll see what Lexus does.
#48
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Lexus could introduce a new tranny, who knows. The thing is, as you add more gears to a tranny, you get diminishing returns in terms of performance and fuel economy. Transmission cost and complexity also increases. Having more than 8 or 9 gears doesn't make a whole lot of sense I think.
Mercedes is reportedly set to introduce a 9-speed tranny with the next-gen S-Class. We'll see what Lexus does.
Mercedes is reportedly set to introduce a 9-speed tranny with the next-gen S-Class. We'll see what Lexus does.
#49
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Transmission cost and complexity increases, yes. But how is it diminishing returns in terms of performance and fuel economy? On theory, more gear ratio is better so the engine is always working in the best ratio, as long as it is automatically shifted and shifting time is very low. That's why a stick shift tranny stopped at 6-speed since a human can't handle that much shifting. But if it is done automatically, more ratio is better. Until it get too annoying I think. The current 8-speed is still not annoying yet, but it does feels like it is shifting all the time. MB think 9 speed is the max for something, I would guess is the max human would tolerate, it will be fun to see how it goes.
Yes in theory more gears is better but like I said there is a practical limit with gears in terms of cost, complexity, and how much shifting people are willing to tolerate.
Also, modern transmissions do have the ability to skip multiple gears, but that doesn't really change the complexity and cost aspect.
#50
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Yeah you do feel it, I was just saying it is not that annoying.
I do agreed it is hard to get into the right gear quickly when you want it to.
I really appreciate having many gears though after I drove a Tesla Roadster sport, the lack of gear really blows. I used to think it is cool to not have any gear so you don't lose any time shifting, until I realized the lack of different gear ratio really slow down the rate of acceleration!
I do agreed it is hard to get into the right gear quickly when you want it to.
I really appreciate having many gears though after I drove a Tesla Roadster sport, the lack of gear really blows. I used to think it is cool to not have any gear so you don't lose any time shifting, until I realized the lack of different gear ratio really slow down the rate of acceleration!
#52
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Yes in theory more gears is better but like I said there is a practical limit with gears in terms of cost, complexity, and how much shifting people are willing to tolerate.
Also, modern transmissions do have the ability to skip multiple gears, but that doesn't really change the complexity and cost aspect.
Also, modern transmissions do have the ability to skip multiple gears, but that doesn't really change the complexity and cost aspect.
#54
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increasing the displacement will likely hurt gas mileage. if lexus do that then they need more lower end hybrid to help offset the rating to meet with the standard. i don't think lexus will go FI yet, so maybe hybrid is their way out to balance it, while increasing power with higher displacement
The current manual mode does kind of suck. They could simply make a software change that would shift up when you told it to, just like it currently shifts down when you tell it to.
Maybe some Dual VVTi-EL plus Valvematic
Btw:
I was hoping for CVTs though. The problem though lies in its torque limit capabilities as it depends on manufacturer. Toyota/Lexus can push it as far as V8 provided its mated to an electric motor (i.e. Lexus LS hybrid), Honda can take it as far as 2.4 liters but only in FWD, Audi can do it even on V6 models BUT no quattro..........and for non-hybrid, I think Nissan/JATCO has the most solid unit capable of 3.5 V6 and AWD in the Murano.
Still, I'm hoping for CVTs hehe
Btw:
I was hoping for CVTs though. The problem though lies in its torque limit capabilities as it depends on manufacturer. Toyota/Lexus can push it as far as V8 provided its mated to an electric motor (i.e. Lexus LS hybrid), Honda can take it as far as 2.4 liters but only in FWD, Audi can do it even on V6 models BUT no quattro..........and for non-hybrid, I think Nissan/JATCO has the most solid unit capable of 3.5 V6 and AWD in the Murano.
Still, I'm hoping for CVTs hehe
#55
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9-speed auto is around the corner, it is even a FWD application!
I see a tons of new cars are coming with 8-speed auto now......I am looking forward to feel a 10 speeds. It is like talking about a bicycle.....10 speeds....LOL
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/11/z...ion-is-coming/
I see a tons of new cars are coming with 8-speed auto now......I am looking forward to feel a 10 speeds. It is like talking about a bicycle.....10 speeds....LOL
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/11/z...ion-is-coming/
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