joshthorsc

I'm not a fan of the new Supra having a BMW engine but I like the idea of it being in the next gen IS. It'll be interesting to see what the next ISF will put out if they decide to make it.

MattyG

Or maybe, just maybe they could do an IS250 with say a Bimmer 4 cylinder turbo. Civic does it, Golf GTi does it... price it right and who knows.

tex2670

But Lexus already has a 2.0T for the IS. Why would Lexus or BMW do that?

situman

I highly doubt that, if this is indeed true, BMW will give Lexus the latest stuff. Kinda like how Toyota refuses to give Lotus best it has so it ends up still using the non-direct injected 2GR.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

IMO Lexus should make an IS F with a hopped-up 3.5L from the LS500, and make a new smaller 3.0L TTV6 based on the larger one for an IS350 replacement. Maybe call it IS400 since BMW's is 340i.

arentz07

I'd much prefer having another V6 to having the rumored 2.4-liter 4-cylinder as the midrange engine option. IS400 seems like the obvious name choice. Or even 450 if it's powerful enough.

Stroock639

"simply removing a turbo" doesn't make a V6 magically turn into an inline 6

plex

iTrader: (11)

Ha ha I was going to let that slide but saw you jumped on it.

Until Lexus/Toyota issues an official statement this is nothing but a magazine issuing statements and making assumptions to generate attention. I do like that render though looks good.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

uh what? last i checked honda and vw are not using a bmw 4 cyl turbo.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Agreed, what?? LOL

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Why would Lexus use a BMW 4 cylinder? They have the in-house 8AR-FTS 2.0T. All they need to do is refine the powertrain, and give it a slight bump in power. Honestly the biggest problem the OP mentioned is the weight of the current vehicle. If GA-L really could shed 300-400lbs from the current one, that would be a massive jump in performance and efficiency. But the LS and LC are already pretty heavy, so I won't hold my breath on that though.

Stroock639

well i don't want to sound like i'm anti-bmw or anything, but any toyota product that features bmw running gear i won't be thrilled about

bmw certainly has its place... they make some of the best looking and best best driving cars, and the engine of my all time favorite mclaren f1 is a bmw... but most of what they make isn't too special or of any particular good quality with weird plasticky controls and firm ride quality / seats, qualities i've always appreciated toyotas generally not having

historically i've used toyota as an example of good reliability and low running costs, and bmw as an example of bad reliability and high running costs, so i just don't like that the two are now mixing lol... it could potentially give what i say less credibility

MattyG

I meant Honda/VW are using small turbo fours with good results. Perhaps you misinterpreted what my meaning was, because I neglected the Lexus 2.0t that's already in the IS/NX etc. While it gets praised for its own character, the Bimmers are getting pretty decent reviews for smoothness and their 1250 rpm starting point on boost.

BMWs generally seem to be underrated for HP numbers because in real world testing they do better with acceleration numbers/fuel economy. Still a surprising possibility but given the Z4/Supra alliance, a BMW powered IS is not out of the question.

MattyG

They need to up its HP numbers to get more punch out of it. BMWs seem to do well with their 4 bangers, as bad as that sounds compared to an inline six. Maybe Toyota likes the 8AR for the NX etc.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

In the NX it makes 235hp, in the IS 241hp. Both make 258ft-lbs. If they could make it around 260-270hp.

The biggest problem I see is the weight of the vehicle. BMW, Jaguar, and Alfa all did a great job in keeping the curb weight down on their current compact/small sedans.

MattyG

Yep, the oldest formula for making a great speedster is to add HP/torque and lighten curb weight. The cheapest addition to HP is to just take away the pork. BMW's N20 is probably running well over 240 hp that BMW says it is making. At the wheels, dyno numbers show that it nets 228 hp and that would mean closer to about 270 or more hp at the crank. Lexus can do this too with the 8AR, but it might mean sacrificing long term durability.