GS460 no go, engine doesn't fit...
#16
If Audi could stuff the 4.2L V8 into the S4's engine compartment, I'm sure Lexus can figure out how to make the 4.6L V8 fit in the GS's engine compartment, even if it requires slight reconfiguration from the LS460. It's not like 0.3L of added displacement is THAT big a change, especially considering that Benz uses a 5.0L V8 and can fit a 5.5L V8 in the E-Class, and that BMW fits a 4.8L V8 in the 5-Series.
#18
Moderator
Lexus, please bring us the GS 460. It should have at least 380+hp. That's gonna be awesome.
What about the SC 460? Is the 4.6 liter engine too big for the SC's engine compartment?
What about the SC 460? Is the 4.6 liter engine too big for the SC's engine compartment?
#19
exclusive matchup
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by tqlla3k
I think it may confuse people to have a GS350, GS450h and a GS460, espcially if the GS460 costs less and is more powerful.
The comment about the acura not having a V8 is inaccurate. Acura gets flack because their cars do not have any torque, are mostly FWD, and they are not as refined.
Moving from a V8 to a V6 hybrid is a smart move. A V8 is not as much a sign of luxury as it is a sign of excess. V8s have a stigma of wasting gas, and its old tech. Plus the world is a lot more consience about fuel consumption, just ask GM and ford.
A powerful V6 hybrid is where its at, a sign of technology advancements, fuel efficiency and it is pretty powerful as well. Toyota is working very hard to have people equate toyota and hybrids/ fuel effeciency.
I wouldnt doubt that they phase out the 460 from the GS.
The comment about the acura not having a V8 is inaccurate. Acura gets flack because their cars do not have any torque, are mostly FWD, and they are not as refined.
Moving from a V8 to a V6 hybrid is a smart move. A V8 is not as much a sign of luxury as it is a sign of excess. V8s have a stigma of wasting gas, and its old tech. Plus the world is a lot more consience about fuel consumption, just ask GM and ford.
A powerful V6 hybrid is where its at, a sign of technology advancements, fuel efficiency and it is pretty powerful as well. Toyota is working very hard to have people equate toyota and hybrids/ fuel effeciency.
I wouldnt doubt that they phase out the 460 from the GS.
acura needs rwd, AND it needs v8. having that rl with v6 in it is not going to make it fly with any of the true luxury flagship (ls, s, 7, a8, etc...) it's not part of teh arguement here, and i won't go deep in it. but that's the bottom line.
and v8 doesn't necessarily means more gas. although in most cases that might be true, but look at the ls460, it will have mid 20s gas mileage, that's actually on par with some of the 6 bangers. and the old is300 with the i6? it has the SAME gas consumption as my gs400 and sc430 for what it's worth.
go out and do a survey or poll and see what people (with money, those who can afford high end cars) think about what a luxury car is. having a big engine is clearly one of them, that's why all the high end cars are with big engines.
Originally Posted by LexArazzo
They ' ve already trademarked the GS460 in many countries . . .
Plus I don't think a big enough % of the public want hybrids yet, especially a performance hybrid . . . many still leery of them. So the GS460 in the line-up is still very much needed.
Plus I don't think a big enough % of the public want hybrids yet, especially a performance hybrid . . . many still leery of them. So the GS460 in the line-up is still very much needed.
Originally Posted by SCWells72
If Audi could stuff the 4.2L V8 into the S4's engine compartment, I'm sure Lexus can figure out how to make the 4.6L V8 fit in the GS's engine compartment, even if it requires slight reconfiguration from the LS460. It's not like 0.3L of added displacement is THAT big a change, especially considering that Benz uses a 5.0L V8 and can fit a 5.5L V8 in the E-Class, and that BMW fits a 4.8L V8 in the 5-Series.
#20
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Originally Posted by tqlla3k
I think it may confuse people to have a GS350, GS450h and a GS460, espcially if the GS460 costs less and is more powerful.
The comment about the acura not having a V8 is inaccurate. Acura gets flack because their cars do not have any torque, are mostly FWD, and they are not as refined.
Moving from a V8 to a V6 hybrid is a smart move. A V8 is not as much a sign of luxury as it is a sign of excess. V8s have a stigma of wasting gas, and its old tech. Plus the world is a lot more consience about fuel consumption, just ask GM and ford.
A powerful V6 hybrid is where its at, a sign of technology advancements, fuel efficiency and it is pretty powerful as well. Toyota is working very hard to have people equate toyota and hybrids/ fuel effeciency.
I wouldnt doubt that they phase out the 460 from the GS.
The comment about the acura not having a V8 is inaccurate. Acura gets flack because their cars do not have any torque, are mostly FWD, and they are not as refined.
Moving from a V8 to a V6 hybrid is a smart move. A V8 is not as much a sign of luxury as it is a sign of excess. V8s have a stigma of wasting gas, and its old tech. Plus the world is a lot more consience about fuel consumption, just ask GM and ford.
A powerful V6 hybrid is where its at, a sign of technology advancements, fuel efficiency and it is pretty powerful as well. Toyota is working very hard to have people equate toyota and hybrids/ fuel effeciency.
I wouldnt doubt that they phase out the 460 from the GS.
1. It looks like the GS model lineup could be a V6, a V6 hybrid, and a V8. That doesn't look too cumbersome or confusing to us poor old consumers.
2. There could very well be delivery issues with the hybrid. I do not know what Lexus capacity is but hybrid deliver might be an issue and lost sales are, well, lost sales.
3. Actually the biggest reason you could think of would be why not? I do not believe there will be much of any engineering difficulty in putting the 4.6 in the GS so whatever costs you might encounter could permit quick payback even with limited volume. If the GS doesn't get the 4.6, you will be left with the LS and the SC, for as long as it lasts. I don't think Toyota likes to have a motor for basically one model.
It is interesting to me that we have been screaming for Lexus to seriously go after the performance market and when an opportunity arises for them to very, very easily give the GS the power it should have had from the start, we are trying to find reasons for them not to do it. Time and time again, salesman have said that the GS is their performance sedan. OK, the IS also exists now but there is definitely room for the GS to have three versions with a big ol V8 at the top. Like I said, in the final analysis, the costs required to make the GS460 seem small and it wouldn't need a lot of sales to recoup them.
And there might be some people out there that will go for the lighter weight and stronger performance, not to mention easier modability. And before we get all convinced that of course we know Lexus business better than they do, it is worth keeping in mind that hybrid technology is still somewhat of an unknown. Please take any hybrid uber alles emotions somewhere else, I have already seen them. But there are not an insignificant number of articles on the poor payback of hybrid costs in increased mileage. Lexus may just want to cover their bets. After all, if the top GS is a hybrid and there are troubles with that technology in that model, they could really be hurt. I guess we don't have long to wait and find out, one way or the other. Like I said, I can see both sides of the argument.
#23
Am I missing something or is it definite that the GS won't one day have a V8 hybrid. I know for a fact that the new LS will have a V8 hybrid. Why not use the same motor for the GS? By the way, I checked out the new LS LWB up close and personal and.....WHAT A CAR!!!!!
#27
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Originally Posted by LexArazzo
They ' ve already trademarked the GS460 in many countries . . .
Plus I don't think a big enough % of the public want hybrids yet, especially a performance hybrid . . . many still leery of them. So the GS460 in the line-up is still very much needed.
Plus I don't think a big enough % of the public want hybrids yet, especially a performance hybrid . . . many still leery of them. So the GS460 in the line-up is still very much needed.
#29
Lexus Test Driver
Salesmen will vary on their product knowledge..
but don't hold your breath for the GS460 as it might take a while. Have a Snickers or something to snack on. The GS450h isn't a tree hugger car it's a gas/electric muscle car that uses less gas. The GS450h sends a message to the old country like keep making those diesels, Dieter. We are going to use magnets not turbochargers now....
Rock
Rock
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
Originally Posted by Rockville
but don't hold your breath for the GS460 as it might take a while. Have a Snickers or something to snack on. The GS450h isn't a tree hugger car it's a gas/electric muscle car that uses less gas. The GS450h sends a message to the old country like keep making those diesels, Dieter. We are going to use magnets not turbochargers now....
Rock
Rock