I agree. This is just ridiculous. What the heck are they thinking over there at Toyota? There better be one REALLY good reason for giving the GS460 342HP, but the sad thing is they probably don't have one.

This definitely is making me lose faith .

And if the GS460 doesn't have DI, or the D4-S system then it totally kills the marketing and branding of the Lexus models. The D4-S system is supposed to be exclusively for Lexus models, and that means the GS350 will have the D4-S system while the flagship GS460 does not?

 

Where does it say it's exclusive only to? D-4S is utilzed in Toyota models outside of the US i.e. Crown.

 

That is correct, but Toyota is establishing a trend/pattern with putting in DI engines only in expensive models like Lexus cars. In North America at least, DI is exclusively for Lexus. It's not explicitly mentioned, but it's pretty easy to see that Toyota wants D4-S engines to be primarily Lexus engines. Only in select markets like Japan do we see DI on Toyota models.

At the moment, the only Toyota model that uses a D4-S engine (2GR-FSE) is the Crown Athlete. Other Crown models and the Mark X use the 3GR-FSE/4GR-FSE, which has only D4 so it's not dual injection.

And if the GS350 gets a D4-S engine, why shouldn't the GS460? Further, if the GS460 gets the 8 speed, why must it's V8 be detuned compared to the LS460?

 

One answer....planned obsolesence. This is the first year of the 460 in the GS line. They're simply pacing themselves and planning for 09 and 10 improvements without having to invest in substantial new technology. I'm sure the DI version is already planned for future GS's, along with Aux input and IPOD integration. It's a business with a focus on selling cars and turning a profit...more than delivering the best they can at any given time. Simply ensuring that 08 buyers will have a reason to upgrade in 09 and beyond. A commentary on the times, I'm afraid.

I'm starting to think IS rather than GS for my next trade.

 

That sort of thinking is not what got Toyota to where they are today.

 

I believe the 335i is a solid mid 13 second car while the 760iL is a low 14 second car. Isn't that just a shame as well?

 

I will have to agree with you there for sure. The problem is that
we've been waiting for this car for years and when they do bring it
out it is already 3 years behind the competition.

It is the SECOND stopgap measure in this product line (the first
being the GS300/430 engines). I hate to agree with the haters,
but the GS line has become a HUGE disappointment.

No V8 AWD, no hybrid AWD. Infiniti is going to continue to take market
share and Lexus will most likely drop to the #4 position in the executive
class sales. End of rant.

 

I ain't going to lie I just new the GS460 would have close to 400 hp not 350. I think Lexus did a real good job With the 3rd gen design. What I can't understand is why didn't they do the same thing as they did in 2001 with the LS 430 and the GS 430, the engines came out the same time and gave the GS more HP because it is the sport sedan of the Lexus line-up.

 

Well Infiniti M45 only has 325HP and 336 TQ. The new G37 coupe has more HP than the M45.

 

I have been waiting for these offcial numbers. IMO very disappointed. There were people in the Bimmer forums boasting that the GS 460 will have 400 hp with a 0-60 in 4.8 sec and the 1/4 mile in high 12's.

 

It seems the GS is always the neglected child in the Lexus lineup. They let the 2GS dragged on too long before a redesign about 2 model years late. When the redesign came, the engine upgrades are not significant, & now this.
Toyota have always treated the GS line as of secondary importance compared to the other models, that's why they're always among Lexus' least successful models in terms of sales.

 

But it's already been out for about 2 years AND they've added AWD to it.
It is pretty much certain that the M50 is going to outpower the GS460 by a
significant margin.

 

i already expected most GS buyers are going to buy 350 model anyways. Lot of people are going to stay away from V8s because of gas prices and the 350 is already more than enough to drive around. A GS with the same hp and transmission as the GS can hurt LS sales. Who knows if its really 342hp i bet its the same exact engine but they restrict the intake or exhaust to bring it down from 380

 

I have to agree with you on that I heard that the new M50 will have close to 400HP and if the GS460 only has 342 it want have a chance against the M50 except the name.

 

I don't think it would take away from the LS sales it happened in 2001 I don't think it hurt the LS 430 sales at all.