pfsacer

I know it was mentioned before based on an article in AutoExpress, and I made a mistake the article in July 04 was in Car and Driver and not MotorTrend.

pfsacer

Here is the article from Car and Driver






Lexus Plans Its Own ‘AMG’ Shop

BY PETER LYON
July 2004


Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver’s brand, Toyota’s luxury division will set up an in-house performance shop much in the fashion of BMW’s M division and Mercedes-Benz’s well-known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next-generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.

The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo show. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz’s 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.

Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5-liter V-6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s E55 AMG. The GT version of the GS is expected to go on sale in 2006.

One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling from the LF-C concept shown in New York (see page 38) and the 300-hp V-6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006.

pfsacer

This was posted earlier based on the article in AutoExpress, look at the similarities

Hi all, check this out !

Could it mean that the new GS will have a 400hp 5.0-V8 ? if you do not go for the AWD option ?

Hope it wasn't an April fools joke

Check out this story

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?...wd=mazda_banner

Here is the story:

Mean, Green Lexus On Way


Things look set to get highly charged at Toyota. The company intends to enter the performance saloon market with a family of Lexus models that will all feature hybrid technology.

Engineers are currently working on two machines, one of which will be a new version of the flagship LS. However, first to hit the road will be the GS350 GT, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Expected in August 2005 and aimed at the Mercedes E55 AMG, it will mark Lexus' first anniversary of sales in Japan, and sport a 300bhp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a 170bhp electric motor. Offering an astounding 470bhp, the car will feature all-wheel drive and be capable of around 60mpg.

But if you think that sounds impressive, then just wait another 12 months, when Lexus' ultimate hybrid - the LS500 GT - will appear. Combining a 400bhp 5.0-litre V8 with a 200bhp electric motor, the car will offer at least 600bhp and be targeted at the Mercedes S-Class flagship, the S600L.


To predicted improvements in battery technology, economy of more than 50mpg is expected - double the standards set by traditional petrol engines of equivalent performance.

But the march to bring eco-friendly performance technology to Lexus models won't stop there. The firm's popular IS will inherit a new flagship when it is replaced in 2006. The IS350 GT will offer a tuned version of the 3.5-litre V6 that will be in the GS. However, it's not clear if it will sport a hybrid powerplant, although it may integrate some of the bigger syst***s fuel-saving technology, including engine stop and start systems which save fuel in stationary traffic.

For now, the cost of hybrid technology means it's likely to be reserved for Toyota and Lexus' most expensive models. However, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, one Toyota insider told us that the company was committed to hybrid cars, and that ultimately they will be available right across both ranges.
Peter Lyon




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pfsacer

LookNow12, I agree with you, however all GT models will be coming from the "M"/"AMG" division of Lexus.

What interests me more is that the base V8 for the LS500GT will produce 400hp, if that is the case I wonder if we might see a GS500 with a 400hp V8, in GT form that would be 600hp with the hybrid setup

Since the GS is the first in line to be released I sure hope they start with the GS500

videcormeum

I just realized that, after having stared at the new GS for what probably amounts to hours, I am really starting to like it.

*Recants all the posts flaming the car*

New policy:

pfsacer

Just got the 3rd Quarter Lexus Magazine, and there is an article about the 2006 GS.
Although it doesnlt tell much it does mention the engines as quote: "a new 245hp-V6 and upgraded V8".

Hope they will upgrade the V8 enough :-))

SCWells72

I'm not trying to be negative here because like everyone else, a true upgraded V8 would be a welcome addition to this car, but I wonder if that really means the 6-speed tranny more than the engine...

Just thinking out loud (again)...

pfsacer

No because the tranny is mentioned seperately, here is the complete quote:


Quote: " And who could fail to notice when faced with the choice between q new 245bhp V6 set up or an upgraded V8, both allied with top-of -the-range six-speed automatic transmission. All of which promises, faster and smoother acceleration and improved fule economy" end quote

SCWells72

Very cool! Well, it's in the Lexus magazine, so it must mean something real. Now if they'd just put a real manual tranny on as an option. Perhaps the GT version will have one, though I imagine Lexus will go the MB E55 AMG and Audi RS6 route and keep it a paddle-shift auto. Unless I'm wrong, even the new M5 is now SMG only. No option with a clutch.

pfsacer

Yes it will be an auto tranny, but it will save the cost of the clutch replacements :-))

I sure hope they come with a 400hp-V8 as was mentioned in the LS500GT, that with the 6-speed could really make a big difference (high 4's/12's ???)

LexFather

I can't wait!!!!

looknow12

I'm with you

pfsacer

What is up with Lexus ?

I would imagine when you have a major new model revision coming up you would want to have the car magazines all over it right ?

Everybody else does it, even for cars that won't see their release until the end of next year.

The GS is supposed to be at dealers by March/April, and the only thing you see is what they showed at Detroit in January.

Anybody anymore inside in this ??

looknow12

Mags talk about it when its ready to be test driven. Lexus hasn't finished it yet. What you saw in Detroit was a mockup.

Believe me, as soon as Lexus has something the mags can test, they'll give it out.

looknow12

The good news is you might expect some nice changes/additions between now and the release date.