Toyota/Lexus Goes Turbo & Improves Infotainment System
07-29-15 | 09:43 AM
#16
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 166
From: NY
200hp D4S version will be nice for sure... 2.0t will still have massivly more torque at below and this is important because when you drive a non-sport vehicle, you dont want to have to gun it to 6000 RPM to get the power... in 2.0t, you have maximum torque at 1650rpm already and massive amounts of it at below that... so at "smooth" speeds, you have massive torque and difference is feel is huge. This is what non-d4s versions of GR did not have, you had to gun them to be fast. Plus it is cheaper too.
Now, 2GR-FSE with Atkinson like what RX is getting, to me, thats superior powertrain to 2.0t but at the same time, it is also a lot more expensive too. Differences wont be that much in power, because torque down below and almost nobody driving RX between 4000 and 6000 rpm, but in initial response which will be superior in non-FI vehicle always. I think Camry buyer might appreciate $1k cheaper 2.0t over existing V6 plus better mpg.
Now, 2GR-FSE with Atkinson like what RX is getting, to me, thats superior powertrain to 2.0t but at the same time, it is also a lot more expensive too. Differences wont be that much in power, because torque down below and almost nobody driving RX between 4000 and 6000 rpm, but in initial response which will be superior in non-FI vehicle always. I think Camry buyer might appreciate $1k cheaper 2.0t over existing V6 plus better mpg.
Drove my gf's NX 200t and I can't say I'm impressed. It just feels lacking off the line, even though it had more torque than my 2011 RX. It was fine at highway passing speeds and midrange was responsive.
07-29-15 | 12:01 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
200hp D4S version will be nice for sure... 2.0t will still have massivly more torque at below and this is important because when you drive a non-sport vehicle, you dont want to have to gun it to 6000 RPM to get the power... in 2.0t, you have maximum torque at 1650rpm already and massive amounts of it at below that... so at "smooth" speeds, you have massive torque and difference is feel is huge. This is what non-d4s versions of GR did not have, you had to gun them to be fast. Plus it is cheaper too.
Now, 2GR-FSE with Atkinson like what RX is getting, to me, thats superior powertrain to 2.0t but at the same time, it is also a lot more expensive too. Differences wont be that much in power, because torque down below and almost nobody driving RX between 4000 and 6000 rpm, but in initial response which will be superior in non-FI vehicle always. I think Camry buyer might appreciate $1k cheaper 2.0t over existing V6 plus better mpg.
Now, 2GR-FSE with Atkinson like what RX is getting, to me, thats superior powertrain to 2.0t but at the same time, it is also a lot more expensive too. Differences wont be that much in power, because torque down below and almost nobody driving RX between 4000 and 6000 rpm, but in initial response which will be superior in non-FI vehicle always. I think Camry buyer might appreciate $1k cheaper 2.0t over existing V6 plus better mpg.
07-29-15 | 12:19 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,342
Likes: 142
From: Illinois
A while back Consumer Reports had an article showing how close cars they tested came to their EPA estimates. In it 20% of the small turbo engine cars missed their estimates by 10% or more and 50% of the hybrids missed theirs by 10% or more. They mentioned that both types required a certain technique to maximize fuel efficiency while regular gas engines not so much.
07-29-15 | 04:54 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,740
Likes: 73
From: ON/NY
07-29-15 | 05:54 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Yes, it does. If driven conservatively the small turbos deliver decent fuel economy, close to their estimates. If not, the gas mileage drops quickly.
A while back Consumer Reports had an article showing how close cars they tested came to their EPA estimates. In it 20% of the small turbo engine cars missed their estimates by 10% or more and 50% of the hybrids missed theirs by 10% or more. They mentioned that both types required a certain technique to maximize fuel efficiency while regular gas engines not so much.
A while back Consumer Reports had an article showing how close cars they tested came to their EPA estimates. In it 20% of the small turbo engine cars missed their estimates by 10% or more and 50% of the hybrids missed theirs by 10% or more. They mentioned that both types required a certain technique to maximize fuel efficiency while regular gas engines not so much.
. I suspect there's a reasonably sized population that just expects things to work with no effort on their part (We can thank Apple for that 
). Cars a bit more complex than a phone/tablet though.Those numbers seem reasonable. There's a bigger difference (or bigger gas saving) between engine on and engine off versus forced induction (turbo in use) or NA (staying off the turbo).
07-29-15 | 06:07 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,740
Likes: 73
From: ON/NY
Yeah right, tthe latest incarnation of iTunes sucks beyond belief. It has become the most frustrating system just to manually add playlists to my iPod. I had to go to a 3rd party system to add podcasts manually.
07-31-15 | 01:06 PM
#24
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,891
Likes: 12
From: Virginia
Toyota continues to resist Android Auto / Apple CarPlay
http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/30/90...scout-gps-link
Toyota and Telenav are announcing today that certain 2016 vehicles will be the first to support Scout GPS Link, a feature that ferries route and destination information between the dashboard and a version of Telenav's Scout app for iPhone and Android. Scout already has an in-car turn-by-turn mode that you can use directly on your phone, but this makes it easier — all the interactions (including voice commands) happen through the car's display and audio system instead of the phone's.
If this sounds a little familiar, it should: Toyota recently entered an agreement with Ford to explore the use of its SmartDeviceLink technology, which — like Scout GPS Link — lets Toyota maintain control over its user interface in a way that Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto do not. It's been a point of contention for a number of major automakers, who generally believe that they should control the connected car experience rather than farming it out to third parties; Volkswagen didn't commit to offering CarPlay or Android Auto until this year, Ford hasn't given an exact timeline, and BMW still thinks that its own platform is the way to go. This quote from Sal Dhanni, president of Telenav's automotive unit, is telling: "Scout GPS Link provides a flexible brought-in platform that enables car makers to customize the in-car experience to meet their customer needs."
Of course, Scout GPS Link is strictly for navigation, so it doesn't offer the flexibility of a CarPlay or an Android Auto — this is primarily in Toyota's interest, which can boast that it has a new connectivity point between its cars and drivers' phones. For one of the world's largest automakers, the next question will be whether support for Apple and Google in the dashboard will become a must-have for drivers cross-shopping Camrys against Passats and Malibus.
If this sounds a little familiar, it should: Toyota recently entered an agreement with Ford to explore the use of its SmartDeviceLink technology, which — like Scout GPS Link — lets Toyota maintain control over its user interface in a way that Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto do not. It's been a point of contention for a number of major automakers, who generally believe that they should control the connected car experience rather than farming it out to third parties; Volkswagen didn't commit to offering CarPlay or Android Auto until this year, Ford hasn't given an exact timeline, and BMW still thinks that its own platform is the way to go. This quote from Sal Dhanni, president of Telenav's automotive unit, is telling: "Scout GPS Link provides a flexible brought-in platform that enables car makers to customize the in-car experience to meet their customer needs."
Of course, Scout GPS Link is strictly for navigation, so it doesn't offer the flexibility of a CarPlay or an Android Auto — this is primarily in Toyota's interest, which can boast that it has a new connectivity point between its cars and drivers' phones. For one of the world's largest automakers, the next question will be whether support for Apple and Google in the dashboard will become a must-have for drivers cross-shopping Camrys against Passats and Malibus.
07-31-15 | 05:34 PM
#25
the next question will be whether support for Apple and Google in the dashboard will become a must-have for drivers cross-shopping Camrys against Passats and Malibus.
07-31-15 | 07:09 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,740
Likes: 73
From: ON/NY
After much resistance, they'll probably cave. Much like this thread and the announcement of a turbo for the Camry (didn't they swear to keep NA for awhile?), only a matter of time. They already incorporate Siri Eyes Free in most new Lexus's so I see them taking the CarPlay route, but they certainly should add Android Auto too. Honestly though as long as the car has Bluetooth Audio, that's all I really need.
07-31-15 | 10:04 PM
#27
After much resistance, they'll probably cave. Much like this thread and the announcement of a turbo for the Camry (didn't they swear to keep NA for awhile?), only a matter of time. They already incorporate Siri Eyes Free in most new Lexus's so I see them taking the CarPlay route, but they certainly should add Android Auto too. Honestly though as long as the car has Bluetooth Audio, that's all I really need.
07-31-15 | 11:21 PM
#29
Lexus is a very late bloomer in terms of infotainment tech. For a brand that is putting so much emphasis on younger buyers who expect constant software updates, they are behind. Tesla is definitely leading in that realm.
08-01-15 | 01:04 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 28
From: TN
Seems like when you take your Tesla in for service, you don't get an oil change, they give you a software patch and update lol. I've also heard that they have offered software updates on their earlier production cars for free, fixes that take care of problems customers have complained about, like the fiddley door handles that pop out.