Lets hope they change at least 3 things

HP, ugly wood trim, and ugly aluminum trim on dashcenter :-)

 

i agree.. they changed a body.. i think they should have increase some HP on that car.. it seems a bit unfair for people to buy car that has same engine as old car.. just a new body.

 

Well they stated in the Lexus Magazine that they will make use of an upgraded V8, lets hope it is the 400HP-V8 that will be used in the rumored LS500GT

 

Now that I read the exact quote, I think they might have used the term "upgraded" in relation with the V-6, meaning that the V-8 is the upgraded engine from the V-6 . If Lexus stated 300HP/325lb-ft of torque at the Detroit show, I think that's what we'll get.

A few comments:

- With horsepower and torque numbers becoming more important to consumers now, I think that it's important that Lexus steps to the plate and offers something comparable. After all, if someone is looking at the GS430 over the GS300, they obviously DO care about that extra power, and at that point the customer is also probably looking at the 545i, A6 4.2 and M45 which outpower the GS by at least 25 horsepower. I also think there are consumers who will choose the 545i or M45 over the GS430, just because of it's "lack" of power. If I was plunking down $55-60K, I'd want the best all around car and when you have cars that are as well rounded and closely competitive as this current crop of sedans (E500, STS, GS430, 545i, A6 4.2, M45, RL, ect) power is one of the only things that draws a line between competitors.

- On the other hand, you have to consider the actual horsepower numbers and compare them to the performance numbers. For instance, the GS430 is now five years old, and has "only" 300HP, but still manages a 0-60 of between 5.6 and 5.9 seconds, which is faster than Cadillac's brand new STS. If the 300HP Lexus can outrun the 320HP Cadillac, then why do they need to put more horsepower under the hood? The case could be made again for consumers who are simply power hungry, but literally, there's no reason for that extra power if it's not going to make the car any faster than the competition. Another thing to consider is transmissions. Lexus is phasing out it's 5spd automatic and moving towards it's new 6spd automatic. Lets look at the 2003 VS 2004 LS430. The 2003 had the same 290HP and 320 lb-ft of torque that the current model has, same weight and capacities, and the old 5spd automatic. The car typically ran from 0-60 in 6.8 or 6.9 seconds. Now that Lexus hasn't changed anything but the new close ratio six speed automatic, the car is running 0-60 in 6.3 or 6.4 seconds. That has taken off between four and five tenths of a second in the car's 0-60 acceleration. The 2004 and 2006 GS430 will share the same engine with the same horsepower and torque figures, but the 2006 will utilize the new 6spd automatic. If this goes anything like the 2003-2004 LS comparison, theoretically, the 2006 should be snapping off 0-60s in anywhere between 5.3 and 5.6 seconds, which is blisteringly fast for it's class. At the same time though, the 2006 will change significantly over the current model. The 2006 gains 2 inches in wheelbase, .6 inches in legth, .8 inches in width, and .3 inches in height. looking at those figures alone, the weight of the '06's body should change little if at all. Other things to consider though- the new 6spd automatic will probably be a bit heavier than the 5spd, there will be an 18" wheel option which means they're probably heavier than the 17"ers, and some of the equipment levels have changed which could "up" the weight a bit. Again, theoretically speaking, the added weight and added performance from the new 6spd automatic should really cancel eachother out, leaving the performance stats comparable to what they are now. I AM betting however that the new 6spd will help to improve the quarter mile performance.

Just my rambling...

-Michael-

 

Michael, I do not see how he "upgraded" in the quote can have anything to do with the V6, since they mention an all new V6, and an upgraded V8.

I.M.O. the "upgraded" is aiming at he V8 not the V6.

Numbers are fluctuating from test to test, with a couple of tenth's difference here and there.
If Lexus wants to be on top, they better come with a high 4 to 60 / high 12 quarter to realy make it stand out

Again I still count on a 5.0/V8 with 400hp (as part of the rumored upcoming LS500GT)

If the V6 comes with 265hp, the V8 cannot come with a measily 35 more, as for weight I think that the V8 based GS gaines more than you think.
If they would have used lighter materials they might as well have mentioned it at the introduction, since every pound counts, my guess is an additional 100lbs, that has to be off-set.

 

I'm not sure what to make of the "upgraded" remark, but we'll just have to see when the final specs are introduced. As for the performance numbers, I really, really doubt we'll see the GS430 making a 0-60 sprint in less than 5 seconds, or a quarter mile in the high 12s. The "GT" version maybe, but I certainly don't think those are attainable numbers unless they plan on pumping 375+HP into the 430. For the supposive GS500? Probably, but not for the midrange 430.

Also, the V-6 is coming out with 245HP/228 lb-ft of torque, not 265 so the 300HP will be a significant change.

Again, we'll have to wait and see just how much weight the car gains once it hits the showroom floor.

-Michael-

 

Michael, no you can't make anything out of the "upgrade V8" remark, but it is aimed at teh V8 not the V6 for sure.

If (and that is a big IF), there is any truth in the LS500GT (which is a 5.0L/V8-400hp together with 200hp electric) than it would make sense that that same engine (without hybrid addition) would end up in the "regular LS and GS V8 cars.

Again we will have to wait as you stated, but I sure hope they finally make a bold (un-Lexus/Toyota) move.

 

If they come out with a GS500 with a 400HP 5.0L V-8, how will it slate into their lineup? It won't compete directly with the M5 (502HP), E55 (469 HP) or RS6 (expected to be around 490-500HP) because it won't have enough power, but it will also outpower the 545i, E500, and it's own cousin the GS430. It would occupy that odd spot that the S-Type R holds right now.

Lexus needs to do it like this, IMO:

GS300: 3.0L DI V6 with 245HP/228 lb-ft of torque and 6 spd automatic/sequential shift

GS430: 4.3L V-8 with 325HP/340 lb-ft of torque and 6 spd automatic/sequential shift

GS500: Supercharged 5.0L V-8 with 475-500HP and 6spd automatic/sequential shift or optional close ratio 6spd manual.

I really don't care to see the word "hybrid" appear in the future high performance Lexus products. If they want to offer these sorts of cars as part of the lineup, like the 400h, then I think that's fine. But there is a lot of controversy about the ability of a High performance hybrid being able to retain it's battery power for more than a lap or two of top speed testing. If Lexus takes a 400HP gas motor and straps a 200HP electric motor on the car, after 10 minutes of pedal to the metal driving, you're battery is dead and you're down 200HP. That's the long and short of the argument, but Lexus has such a wonderful resource, TRD, that I think they should turn to them and develop supercharged/turbocharged high performance cars, not hybrid ones.

Again, time will tell, but we can dream!

-Michael-

 

Michael, what I ment was that IF they would come with a LS500GT (from their performance division), than their "non-Performance" models (LS500/GS500) could as well be using the 5.0L/V8 normally aspirated engine and they could be good for 400hp.

I don't like the hybrid idea much either (although the Toyota Volta gave some impressive numbers, based on a V6)

Just the 5.0L/V8 (without hybrid, so not the GT) would be good enough.

I don;t think Supercharging/Turbo will be part of the model line-up, since everybody is going "green" by using hybrid.

Even Mercedes is going to change to normally aspirated i.o. continuing with the AMG turbo and supercharged engines

The way I see it, they could come out with the following;

GS330 - V6 (245hp ?)
HS500 - V8 (400hp)
LS500 - V8 (400hp)

GS330GT - V6 Hybrid (245+170hp)
GS500GT - V8 hybrid (400+200hp)
LS500GT - V8 hybrid (400+200hp)

Yes the GS would (hp wise) fall in between the 545/A6/E500 and the M5/S6/E55, wouldn't that be nice, why follow if you can lead ?

 

I just had random toughts.

What kind of red you would like to see on new GS. Would it be IS/SC performance red (maybe a little bit saturated) or current LS/GS elegance red?

 

I honestly would like to see that black cherry red, even though its more black than red that would be cool. I would also like to see the red from the IS on this car, maybe jsut a little darker, cause I think that would be too loud for this car. I wouldnt mind if Lexus started offering more color choices like Mercedes. I was at there dealership the other day, and man they have more colors than crayola. They have this blue color that looks like it has a little bit of grey mixed in, DAMN, that was a hot color. They have like 4 different blacks jsut for one car, 3 different blues, a few reds, and the regular, greens, and tans. etc. There mixtures of colors they create is amazing. We need some interesting colors on our Lexuses. The most interesting color to me in the Black Cherry, and the Flint Mica, even though its pretty common now, it just looks incredible on the new LS.

So basically, instead of jsut a few color changes here and there, I want a complete overhaul with more colors, and leather and wood choices. I want to mix and match like I mix and match with my shirt suit and tie.


I jsut had a random thought too. The front is gonna look butt-as* ugly with NJ liscense plates on them. DAMN I hate NJ.

 

I want to see IS red, go good with upgraded brakes. I HOPE they do offer their Cinnebar, red or Black Chery with BLACK leather.
I do hope we get some diff wood options.

With the total UNVIELING of the new RL and M35/45, the ball is TOTALLY in Lexus court with the GS. They BETTER get it right!

 

I hope they put the 3.5L 270HP V6 in this car...GS350?

 

I don't think Lexus is going to release a all new 3.5L V6. The new GS will have a new 245HP 3.0L V6. The rumor GS350GT I would guess will be based on the 245HP 3.0L V6 plus a Hybrid 105HP electric motor giving a total 350HP (just a guess). The reason why I think the model number for the new Lexus vehicles does not necessarily mean displacement. For example, the upcoming RX400h uses a 230HP 3.3L V6 (same as RX330) plus 40HP electric motor (for a total of only 270HP) and it did not come with a 4.0L engine as the name implies based on previous Lexus naming schemes.

On a side note the Volta concept uses the same 230HP 3.3L V6 (RX330) to power two electric motors producing a total of 408HP. I forgot where I read it but there is no direct link from the gas engine to the wheels. The 3.3L V6 is use only to generate electricity to the two electric motors.

Chu...

 

If the 2005 Avalon gets the 3.5L 270HP V6 then why not the 2006 GS