SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

^^^ ah yeah, since its a 'remote touch', then most likely it will be up there. Which is not that bad

DaBeast

From a Lexus insider I got a little scoop as to what is going on w/ the GS. The 350 and the 450 (Hybrid) will be carried over. Possibly with new number badges but in essence the same cars. There is a GS "fast" car being designed but they are keeping it hush hush and it is under a code name. Keep in mind they have already come out w/ F Sport parts for the GS so Lexus does see the market for a high performance sedan to try and compete with the M5. But they know they need to be real competition in order to be taken seriously. I know it just adds to the rumor mills but this is from a good source.

*Batman*

Sounds like they won't have a competitor to the BMW 550i at launch. GS450h would be too slow (won't have a sub 5 second 0-60 time), and the fast car won't be available till later.

Don't really want an M5 competitor. Just want something that is like the new BMW 550i - super fast, and with well separated comfort and sport modes that do as the name describes.

DaBeast

Well the 350 will have a carry over I hope that they make the motor right from the get go and it should be a great car.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

they think the gs fsport is enough? umm... can't say i agree at all, i have driven the fsport and it's nothing really that exciting as when i drive the m5/e63.

if they simply just carry over the 350 and 450h drivetrain without any changes / bump in performance, to be honest, it will be 2006 all over again...

*Batman*

I agree. It will be a weak start for the new model. They won't increase market share with the same powertrains. They will just stop the bleeding.

Plus I think given competitor moves, it is likely the new car will be a little larger - to improve the rear leg room. bigger car with same engines is not a good recipe.

They need to launch the car with new engines. I think a 330hp V6, a 380hp Hybrid, and a 400hp+ V8.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

they started out so bad (overall) with the 3gs, underpowered gs300 and gs430, back in 2006, imho causing the 3gs to never really get as much traction and haven't been as successful as the 2is and 4ls. if they repeat the mistake again with the 4gs, i don't know what to say. by comparison, i would rather have them delay the car until newer, more powerful and efficient engines come out.

DaBeast

I think if they do a GS-F it has to have over 500bhp. They can't fall far from that mark if they want to have any shot of making an impact.

*Batman*

Agree. Otherwise it's just a V8 model not a uber-sedan.

mikesm

Interesting info. What do you mean a 12" screen with "remote touch"? I've never heard the term remote touch before. Is this like an ipad or something?

Is this supposed to debut in 2012 or earlier?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

look at the navigation system on the rx, that "mouse" thing is remote touch

encore888

Larger screen can fit better with remote touch, as the screen can be pushed forward, keeping interior room up. I'd like to see also an even more luxurious cabin, with Ultra-Luxe pkg type features, to further justify the price hike over the ES (and if it encroaches on LS territory, so be it--a more sport style can differentiate somewhat). Heck, maybe the LS Sport interior could provide a hint.

They *should* have updated nav, systems etc to take advantage of a 12" screen; Denso just signed a deal with Microsoft (i.e. Sync) which may be for future systems. A HUD could be a likely option, with $$$, given that HS and RX have it.

Now for engines, definitely from the enthusiast POV it was unappetizing to have carry-over powerplants. One notes however that the E350 has a carry-over engine which hasn't hurt its sales at all (but then again, it's MB and they also have only 1 main mid-size sedan class). I fully expect the GS 350 to continue, question simply is whether the engine is a total carry-over or whether it will be retuned for more oomph. For the hybrid I expect a more thorough revision. No V8 for now by the rumors, save GS-F.

mikesm

Ugh, a mouse. What kind of stupid name is remote touch for a mouse? Does the touchscreen still work and you can use the mouse too, or is the screen not touchable at all any more?

Sync is designed to support a touchscreen, so I can't image it working for this. I'd love to see the ford sync system in a lexus though. Programmability is huge.

encore888

It's called remote touch because there is force feedback, you can 'feel' the screen buttons as your hand uses the mouse. The Remote Touch system is used on the HS, RX, LFA, while touchscreen on the GX...the screen is set far ahead, recessed usually, not touchable.

mikesm

Sigh... The computer industry has been using mice and screens for a long time, but now touchscreens are all the rage. Why is lexus going backward? Is it that hard to put a large screen in the dash in a way that is easy to access?