U.S. 2016 Lexus IS300 and RC300?
06-15-15, 03:55 PM
#77
06-15-15, 07:01 PM
#78
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If the IS 300 rumor is true, it will be interesting to see how Lexus positions the three engine choices & to what end. Am not sure there is enough space between the new 2.0T and the current 3.5 V6 in terms of performance etc ; or are there any other niches or reasons they are trying to address 
06-15-15, 09:40 PM
#79
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If you have seen Ford performance map for ecoboost, the power gain is everywhere. Trade off maybe engine durability, but we're talking about 20-30hp here, not 50hp gain. I don't see any stress to the engine at all.
06-15-15, 10:38 PM
#80
3 engines for IS/RC makes sense.
200T is for enthusiasts with a budget who also wants decent MPG while enjoying the instant torque curve of the FI engine
300 is for the current 250 buyers, basically just want a daily diver with smooth V6, not really care about performance, hence the rumor of AWD only available on this trim, i see a lot of loaners will be made up by the 300 rwd trim
finally the IS350, it should be self explanatory, it's the top performance trim, i won't be surprised they squeeze out 10-20 hp out of the old and proven 3.5 mill
200T is for enthusiasts with a budget who also wants decent MPG while enjoying the instant torque curve of the FI engine
300 is for the current 250 buyers, basically just want a daily diver with smooth V6, not really care about performance, hence the rumor of AWD only available on this trim, i see a lot of loaners will be made up by the 300 rwd trim
finally the IS350, it should be self explanatory, it's the top performance trim, i won't be surprised they squeeze out 10-20 hp out of the old and proven 3.5 mill
06-16-15, 04:25 AM
#81
with larger turbos, there is more of on/off effect - so it is slower to respond to gas pedal.
06-16-15, 05:38 AM
#82
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All answers will be revealed if GS200t AWD pops up on some market. That would definitely mean IS/RC are "too tight" for AWD setup with Turbo engine.
06-16-15, 05:42 AM
#83
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Well I can definitely see the updated headlight cluster to bring it together with either RC or refreshed GS. I personally prefer RC LED stacking instead of typical inline alignment that all vehicles received after RC, but that makes RC even more exotic.
06-16-15, 07:11 AM
#84
Kaizen, it is likely the Lexus trainer only has information on 2016 model year offerings. The idea that the 2GR-FSE will not be replaced beyond that, may not be something they can accurately state or determine, if such information has been withheld from them by senior personnel.
In my own work, there are many things going on at Land Rover, that I am not fully aware of or privy to for security reasons. Jaguar concerns more of my duties, but still limitations between different programmes in some cases.
Why would that be the case? Lexus has trademarked both sets of IS200t/RC200t and IS300/RC300 in the U.S. market. They have also renewed the former two as of March 2015 (RC200t) and May 2015 (IS200t). They have not been abandoned either.
Kaizen has also reported both are coming for MY2016. Whether this applies differently in parts of Europe and Asia, is another question of course.
In my own work, there are many things going on at Land Rover, that I am not fully aware of or privy to for security reasons. Jaguar concerns more of my duties, but still limitations between different programmes in some cases.
Why would that be the case? Lexus has trademarked both sets of IS200t/RC200t and IS300/RC300 in the U.S. market. They have also renewed the former two as of March 2015 (RC200t) and May 2015 (IS200t). They have not been abandoned either.
Kaizen has also reported both are coming for MY2016. Whether this applies differently in parts of Europe and Asia, is another question of course.
06-16-15, 07:33 AM
#85
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If that's the case, and most likely it is, that means the turbo engine was not even in the pipeline when IS was in the making. I guess market caught Lexus unprepared.
All answers will be revealed if GS200t AWD pops up on some market. That would definitely mean IS/RC are "too tight" for AWD setup with Turbo engine.
All answers will be revealed if GS200t AWD pops up on some market. That would definitely mean IS/RC are "too tight" for AWD setup with Turbo engine.
06-16-15, 08:33 AM
#86
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If they can shove a giant 3.5L with AWD for larger cars, they can shove the much smaller 2.0 with AWD in there. The 2.0L may be for markets with engine displacement restrictions due to taxes and etc like china has the 2.0L non turbo in the NX. Poor engine gotta work its guts out.
06-16-15, 09:04 AM
#87
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We're talking about mapping. Software stuff, not hardware. Toyota is always conservative with their factory tune, I believe that their 2.0T can easily make 300hp with more aggressive mapping.
06-16-15, 12:33 PM
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06-16-15, 12:42 PM
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Yes, no problem with the technology of today. Took a test drive with the latest Golf R ( 300 hp ) and that engine does really show that a 2 liter is more than enough in a smaller car. But then again, this is Lexus, so that wont happen, probably because it would be to fun and exciting for a TMC product
06-16-15, 03:31 PM
#90
When the trainer was here I asked him when we were going to get a replacement for the GR series of engines, and he looked at me like I was mentally handicapped. Apparently, Lexus thinks that this engine has enough power, refinement, and mileage to stick around for a few more years at least. He said "I have no knowledge of Lexus working on a replacement for the current V-6."
