Faheta

There are many factors: design cost, time needed for extended stress test, fuel efficiency, noise, etc. Lexus V8 is one of the most sophisticated engines from Toyota. I would think they want the engine to last long enough to get decent return on their investment.

Cream of V8 crop from BMW is 4.4 liter - 325hp. Infiniti is 4.5 - 340hp. Mercedes is 5.0 - 302hp. I think Lexus only needs to crank out 325hp from this smallest engine to stay/look competitive. If the new GS weighs 100lbs less than the current generation, you'll have one fast and nimble sedan.

Up to this point, it's all guesses and speculations. Regarding Lexus hiding their secrets, I think they only do it with the conservative models like the LS and the ES. The RX, GX, and GS (aka HPS) were all shown in their concept form a year before production. So likely between the Paris Auto Show this September and the Tokyo Auto Show next April, we'll see the new GS.

Hurry up Lexus ... I'm ready to trade in my BMW ...
Don't make me get G35 Coupe

liazon

iTrader: (1)

i don't see much motivation on the part of Lexus to go all out performance wise on future gs models as the recent sales figures don't reveal much consumer"desire" for the gs430 over the 300....

...which is why it'll be up to us to maximize performance levels in our cars as we see fit.

just an opinion..........

Faheta

That's true but custom-enhanced cars don't get the same amount of attention. Some kids could always fix up a Honda Civic to drive just as fast (and maybe look just the same) as a Ferrari, it always has the "cheap imitation" perception to it.

Consumers buying Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW look for more than just simple transportation from point A to point B.