GS450h News/Information...
02-08-05, 11:19 AM
#46
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Originally Posted by flipside909
The GS450h will be released in Fall 2006 as a 2007 model. There are alot of conflicting reports that the GS450h will be a 3.5L V6 variant w/electric motors powering both front and rear, and there are sources that say it will be a reworked 4.3L V8. It's a matter of time before we see the actual specs.
I really hope the V-8 rumors are true. But even with the V-6, looking at the RX400H reviews, the hyrbid is an instant torque beast. Street start and 0-60 time is almost indentical. And seeing the hybrid is AWD, I think the GS hybrid would be AWD as well.
02-08-05, 11:46 AM
#47
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Well, guess what I'm saving for. I really hope the V-8 rumors are true. But even with the V-6, looking at the RX400H reviews, the hyrbid is an instant torque beast. Street start and 0-60 time is almost indentical. And seeing the hybrid is AWD, I think the GS hybrid would be AWD as well.
I really hope the V-8 rumors are true. But even with the V-6, looking at the RX400H reviews, the hyrbid is an instant torque beast. Street start and 0-60 time is almost indentical. And seeing the hybrid is AWD, I think the GS hybrid would be AWD as well.
02-08-05, 11:54 AM
#48
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Originally Posted by Sam Khoury
I hope you're right about the hybrid being AWD. My lease on my 2002 is up on Dec 1st and I'm debating whether or not to wait for the hybrid (and buy my 2002 at the end of the lease) since I'd want the GS hybrid if it has AWD.
02-08-05, 04:05 PM
#49
Lexus Test Driver
GS450h architecture and other Hybrid benefits
I did not know that this thread existed or I would have commented earlier. The subject of the upcoming GS450h came up at the factory training on Jan 10th. The factory product specialists told us that the new GS Hybrid would come out in about a year and have 3.5 V6 310HP engine mated with an Electric motor generator in a RWD format. This surprised me as we had just learned about the RX400h AWD platform and I thought the GS version would be similar.
The RX400h designation means that the 3.3L V6 and the electric motors will give the theoretical performance of a 4 liter engine (V8). So the GS450h should have equivalent performance of a 4.5 liter V8. That either retires the 4.3L V8 or signals the replacement of a larger V8 (4.6?). The 3.5 liter 310HP V6 will be used first in the new IS350 this fall. The entry IS250 will come in an AWD and RWD versions. The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one. The IS350 will come only in an automatic shift. The IS250 RWD will have a 6 speed manual version available. All of these introductions leave room for a future GS350 310HP V6.
Hybrids take advantage of the characteristics of High power electric motors which is torque at maximum around 1-2,000 RPM. This torque is available for short 6-10 second bursts and then it starts to wane as the battery power is sapped. So think of the the motor as an electric turbo charger. In the RX there is three electric motor/generators. Two function as power adders and generators for the battery whenever you slow down. Performance is the main benefit of Hybrids so it is a perfect fit for enthusiasts. There is 5 kW of headroom in the RX400h motors so if you can give them more juice they can perform at a higher output. By merely changing the battery to a higher output you might gain 15-20 HP! Who knows what type of motor/generator will be in the GS450h. This car will not be for tree huggers like the Prius but it will be enviromentally friendly.
The RX400h designation means that the 3.3L V6 and the electric motors will give the theoretical performance of a 4 liter engine (V8). So the GS450h should have equivalent performance of a 4.5 liter V8. That either retires the 4.3L V8 or signals the replacement of a larger V8 (4.6?). The 3.5 liter 310HP V6 will be used first in the new IS350 this fall. The entry IS250 will come in an AWD and RWD versions. The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one. The IS350 will come only in an automatic shift. The IS250 RWD will have a 6 speed manual version available. All of these introductions leave room for a future GS350 310HP V6.
Hybrids take advantage of the characteristics of High power electric motors which is torque at maximum around 1-2,000 RPM. This torque is available for short 6-10 second bursts and then it starts to wane as the battery power is sapped. So think of the the motor as an electric turbo charger. In the RX there is three electric motor/generators. Two function as power adders and generators for the battery whenever you slow down. Performance is the main benefit of Hybrids so it is a perfect fit for enthusiasts. There is 5 kW of headroom in the RX400h motors so if you can give them more juice they can perform at a higher output. By merely changing the battery to a higher output you might gain 15-20 HP! Who knows what type of motor/generator will be in the GS450h. This car will not be for tree huggers like the Prius but it will be enviromentally friendly.
Last edited by Rockville; 02-08-05 at 04:09 PM.
02-08-05, 04:18 PM
#50
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thanks for the explanation about how they come up with the designation.
You're undoubtedly correct that when it comes out they'll introduce a larger V8. I don't think they'll drop it yet. Hybrid has to have general acceptance across the board before we start transitioning from the current norm.
02-08-05, 04:22 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by Rockville
The 3.5 liter 310HP V6 will be used first in the new IS350 this fall... The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one.
Also, what do you mean by limited production? Do you mean limited like 5-10K units per year, or just that it's going to be in such high demand like the Prius that there's going to be a long waiting list? Or is that also going to be answered at Geneva?
02-08-05, 04:32 PM
#52
Lexus Test Driver
OFF topic
The IS350 will be produced in small amounts. Our dealership expects to get maybe one a month. We get more SC430's than that. We are a medium size store selling 150-170 Lexus a month. Elizabeth works for the biggest of the West and they sell three times as many as we do plus California sells the most IS series. She will have more. They are already fielding a racing team from the last Gold cup and will compete in '06. Ours will come loaded and we are asking for 18" wheels which are optional.
We don't get real dates of introduction but we are told Septemberish.
We don't get real dates of introduction but we are told Septemberish.
02-08-05, 04:44 PM
#53
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Off Topic- Thanks
Thanks, I appreciate the information. And actually, I will be moving to L.A. in the fall, so Longo will be one of the dealerships I check out (my parents actually bought an ES300 from there like 12 years ago), as the new IS350 & GS330 are both on my short list.
Sorry everyone, I'll let you have your thread back now.
Sorry everyone, I'll let you have your thread back now.
02-08-05, 04:49 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by Rockville
I did not know that this thread existed or I would have commented earlier. The subject of the upcoming GS450h came up at the factory training on Jan 10th. The factory product specialists told us that the new GS Hybrid would come out in about a year and have 3.5 V6 310HP engine mated with an Electric motor generator in a RWD format. This surprised me as we had just learned about the RX400h AWD platform and I thought the GS version would be similar.
The RX400h designation means that the 3.3L V6 and the electric motors will give the theoretical performance of a 4 liter engine (V8). So the GS450h should have equivalent performance of a 4.5 liter V8. That either retires the 4.3L V8 or signals the replacement of a larger V8 (4.6?). The 3.5 liter 310HP V6 will be used first in the new IS350 this fall. The entry IS250 will come in an AWD and RWD versions. The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one. The IS350 will come only in an automatic shift. The IS250 RWD will have a 6 speed manual version available. All of these introductions leave room for a future GS350 310HP V6.
Hybrids take advantage of the characteristics of High power electric motors which is torque at maximum around 1-2,000 RPM. This torque is available for short 6-10 second bursts and then it starts to wane as the battery power is sapped. So think of the the motor as an electric turbo charger. In the RX there is three electric motor/generators. Two function as power adders and generators for the battery whenever you slow down. Performance is the main benefit of Hybrids so it is a perfect fit for enthusiasts. There is 5 kW of headroom in the RX400h motors so if you can give them more juice they can perform at a higher output. By merely changing the battery to a higher output you might gain 15-20 HP! Who knows what type of motor/generator will be in the GS450h. This car will not be for tree huggers like the Prius but it will be enviromentally friendly.
The RX400h designation means that the 3.3L V6 and the electric motors will give the theoretical performance of a 4 liter engine (V8). So the GS450h should have equivalent performance of a 4.5 liter V8. That either retires the 4.3L V8 or signals the replacement of a larger V8 (4.6?). The 3.5 liter 310HP V6 will be used first in the new IS350 this fall. The entry IS250 will come in an AWD and RWD versions. The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one. The IS350 will come only in an automatic shift. The IS250 RWD will have a 6 speed manual version available. All of these introductions leave room for a future GS350 310HP V6.
Hybrids take advantage of the characteristics of High power electric motors which is torque at maximum around 1-2,000 RPM. This torque is available for short 6-10 second bursts and then it starts to wane as the battery power is sapped. So think of the the motor as an electric turbo charger. In the RX there is three electric motor/generators. Two function as power adders and generators for the battery whenever you slow down. Performance is the main benefit of Hybrids so it is a perfect fit for enthusiasts. There is 5 kW of headroom in the RX400h motors so if you can give them more juice they can perform at a higher output. By merely changing the battery to a higher output you might gain 15-20 HP! Who knows what type of motor/generator will be in the GS450h. This car will not be for tree huggers like the Prius but it will be enviromentally friendly.
So let me clarify, the 450h will be 310hp+ the electic power? Or is it 310hp combined?
And yes, clearly, the GS 460 has to jump in power. Thanks for the explanations as well.
02-08-05, 05:03 PM
#55
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by RohithT
I guess this is off topic and should be asked in another board, but since you mentioned it here and you're as good a source as any, oh well:*do you know when in the fall the IS350 will be out? Is there any preliminary pricing or ballpark numbers, or are we going to have to wait for Geneva for that?
Also, what do you mean by limited production? Do you mean limited like 5-10K units per year, or just that it's going to be in such high demand like the Prius that there's going to be a long waiting list? Or is that also going to be answered at Geneva?
Also, what do you mean by limited production? Do you mean limited like 5-10K units per year, or just that it's going to be in such high demand like the Prius that there's going to be a long waiting list? Or is that also going to be answered at Geneva?
02-08-05, 05:04 PM
#56
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by RohithT
Thanks, I appreciate the information. And actually, I will be moving to L.A. in the fall, so Longo will be one of the dealerships I check out (my parents actually bought an ES300 from there like 12 years ago), as the new IS350 & GS330 are both on my short list.
Sorry everyone, I'll let you have your thread back now.
Sorry everyone, I'll let you have your thread back now.
02-08-05, 05:18 PM
#57
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Originally Posted by flipside909
Horsepower for the IS350 is rumored to be above 300hp (we were told around 320hp for the 3.5L 2GR-FSE variant). This is from our briefing with Lexus Marketing - Ralph Pisco and Chuck Goldsboro - Team Lexus, at California Speedway at the Lexus Grand Am Cup Weekend back in October 04.
02-08-05, 05:46 PM
#58
Lexus Test Driver
3.5 liter V6 310HP
To clarify the hybrid (GS450h) will add a motor/generator to the 3.5 liter V6 from the IS350. On the RX400h they detune the V6 for most the fuel efficient configuration. The GS450h will be built for speed and will be a RWD only. IS hybrid to follow GS and then LS etc. Eventually you will be able to breathe the air in LA and DC...
02-09-05, 06:13 AM
#60
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by Rockville
. . . The IS350 will be a limited production so get in early with your deposit if you want one. The IS350 will come only in an automatic shift. The IS250 RWD will have a 6 speed manual version available . . ..
I thought they intend to be a true 3 series competitor, I guess not. 
And I can dismiss any possibility of ever trading my G35 coupe for a IS350.
Last edited by Gojirra99; 02-09-05 at 06:17 AM.