Rockville

Why Lexus opened the GS with the 3.0 instead of the 3.5 may have to do with how new models are certified for import. When they had to bring it they were further along than they were with the High Performance version of the 3.5 that will come in the IS350 this fall. Everyone scoffs at the displacement but it's definitely an engineering feat to improve torque, horsepower and fuel efficiency and at the same time reduce emissions. The 3.5 that is offerred in the Avalon is not the performance version that will show in the IS350, GS450h and later the GS350. The ES350 and RX350 will not have the same output either. The IS350 will tell us the most about the eventual GS350. I had guessed 280 lb/ft of torque and they mentioned 275 lb/ft. Pretty close. The 3.0 gets maximum torque at 3600 RPM's which is earlier than 90% of the engines out there so if the 3.5 is similar we will have the torque available for passing very quickly. I had guessed 315 HP and they said over 300 HP. Pretty close again. The 0-60 dash is in the high 5's so that would be 5.8 possibly? Just add the Weight factor for use in the GS and you probably are looking at low 6's in the 0-60 time. Taking this same engine and possibly detuning it for Hybrid purposes and you should get mid 5's in the 0-60 but have to pay a Hybrid weight penalty. Once you have intertia the Hybrid will have no lag and give you instaneous push better than anything but a large displacement engine. The 3.0 is a fine engine and deserves respect yet being the jaded enthusiasts we are our thirst for power is never quenched. Frankly, I can't see Jroosh buying a V6 unless it's a Hybrid and he starts to see the light. The 4.6 will be more to his taste. The GS430 now is a fine car and we know that engine like a good friend. If we get a performance and fuel efficiency improvement similar to what Lexus did to the V6 powerplants in the new V8 then we are in for another treat. It's all good.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

maybe they already delayed the release of the new gs? maybe they first wanted to relese the car ni sept of 04, but they already pushed it back by 6 months. and they couldn't wait any longer coz' of the new IS

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

True. I wish they did release it back in 04, or even 03 for that matter. It was long overdue. I still may end up with an 06 style GS in a year or two when I'm ready to buy another car for myself. As it stands now, I flip flop between the GS and RL. I threw in the M for a few months but certain interior things I just can't live with. Both the 05 RL and 06 GS are cars I woudn't mind owning, but don't have to own. Now, if the GS350 came out the GS just might be a car I have to own But then again, if the RL improves as and gets more power as well, I'm right back in the same situation. This really is good times to buy a car in this segment. Lots of good choices.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah. seeing that the new IS coming up late this yr, and then the new LS probably late next yr. it sorta makes sense for the gs to come out late last yr.... imho there is a reason for the "late" release, but we can only speculate

HKGS300

Also ... remember, that there is a GS430, but no IS430 for now.
Companies tend to introduce the topmodels first, and that is at this moment the GS430.
With a 300+ hp GS350, the GS430 would be totally obsolete.

From marketing point of view, a V8 has more prestige than a V6, and can be sold t a significantly higher price. Toyota will make significantly less margin on a GS350 compared to a GS430 ...

LexFather

Well its starting to make sense. While competitors have put all they're eggs in a basket, Lexus, being of course smarter, will sell more than them with less power now, and then blow them away with updated power in a year or two.

And the GS 450h is is a class of its own. So it makes sense, when you think about it.

Lexus has stated they want to sell 33k a year. So they can't afford to do everything at once. When sales drop off some, they'll have new engines to pump sales back up.

static808

Are you saying that in this competitive market Lexus wants to sell 33,000 GS cars (GS300, GS430) in a calendar year. Even with Lexus being more known than Acura and Infiniti, thats alot of cars.

The RL, M, GS are all basically the same with some subtle differences. Up here in North Jersey, there are dozens of GS cars in dealer lots and the dealers are starting to discount, liberally. The same can be said for the RL and Infiniti M.

Great time to buy but I am curious to see if Lexus can move that many cars. If so, I would be impressed.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=1257753

that's their plan.

to be honest though. lexus has no problem selling 10k sc430 a yr. it's a different car, and with the gs being quite a bit cheaper and more suited for family, i think it's doable?