HDEddie1

Now that the word is out that the upcoming 2016 GS F has a 467HP V8, has anyone heard of what's in store for the regular GS350 line? I read somewhere (forgot where) that a V6 turbo is planned.

gotink

I could only hope ...pictures aren't looking to good for the GSF. Would rather a boosted 6 with the fsport then the GSF ....

Afrosheen

I could see Lexus downsizing and going with a 3 liter v6 turbo to save weight and add some mpg, but turbocharging the current 3.5l engine seems unlikely. It'd be a thing of beauty to resurrect the Supra inline 6 but that's nearly impossible.

Atomic350F

I think with the V-8 on its way, it may be a conflict of interest for them to introduce this now.. as it would likely be very close to the v-8 performance wise.

Who knows what the future may hold though.. why not add the turbo to the V-8 next?!!

HDEddie1

Pity though....for the rest of us not needing a 400+ hp and just a daily driver, it just seems like a modest V6 turbo might be the right thing to do. A boosted V6 tuned for a torque but leaving the rest of the car mechanicals (8 speed auto) intact for MPG might be the ticket for folks looking for a sport sedan. I think the Lexus marketing position would remain intact between a GS350 and a GS F as far a price/performance spread is concerned (i.e. BMW 535i, 550i, M5 comes to mind)

Yes, it seems like the Lexus GS team put all their efforts in the upcoming V8 F, and while promising, it still remains to be seen if it'll sway the M5/S6/AMG/CTs-V crowd even a bit. Especially knowing that crowds' availability (and love) for aftermarket tuning moving them into the performance stratosphere.

And, word is out that the F will start at $70K which might be OK if Lexus doesn't have add-ons that'll drive it up (yeah, right). But, if the car is limited availability, like rumored, then I suspect the dealer will be have their "market conditions" tack on. Then it'll be a tougher sell, I think, for the M5/S6/AMG/CTS-V crowd.

My point is how about just a little more engine for the rest of us. The GS350 is a chassis and interior deserving of a more up-to-date engine.

peteharvey

Turbos lost popularity in the late 1980's due to their slower response, and peakier torque curves.

However gasoline prices have been spiralling in Europe, causing a resurgence in small capacity turbos.

For one, Lexus sell primarily in the US where gasoline is relatively cheap, hence Lexus has been slow to redevelop turbos.
Furthermore, Lexus are very thorough, hence slow in development - therefore their four cylinder turbo has only just been released in the NX, so I wouldn't expect small capacity V6 & V8's till at least the 2017 5th generation LS & the 2019 5th generation GS.

Ditto Lexus' thorough & time consuming development of smaller lighter weight lithium ion batteries for their hybrids...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2016 GS200t around fall of this year. Mum is the word on a current 350 replacement which could be a stronger version of the current V6 or a new FI mill

tknx

Nobody is going to cross-shop a GS-F against a CTS-V or M5. They just aren't even in the same league in performance or price.

SlangBlade

I'd bet good money that the 350 engine will be replaced with a single or twin turbo 3.0 liter, probably in the vicinity of 350 hp and comparable torque. I don't think we'll see it until the 2017/2018 model though.

HDEddie1

You and I know that but the press and insider hype is touting the F as a M5 threat. Then I wonder...what is the target cars for the new F? The 550i, E550, I suppose. But even those cars, while nice, are sporty luxury sedans nothing like their high performance variants. Lexus could have just slapped on some turbos and easily competed with those sporty/luxury sedans and their kind.