biker

It might own on paper but with only a slushbox, it might not on the road. The E90 330 with a "measly" 258HP (lowest of the class) does 0-60 in 5.6s or less and drives like it's on rails. The G35 and TL both have less HP than the IS350 but might end up with same performance numbers at the end of the day. I would have been just as happy if the IS350 had only 250HP but out performed all the others in class. Don't give me paper numbers, I want real road numbers (and great feel to go along with the numbers).

I think the sleeper of the class is the new C350 which can be had with a 6MT or 7Gmatic.

AJL0365

but the C230 Kompressor and C320 Sport and AMG models with that body, its hot to me atlease, especially if its in red or that blue, cant wait to see a red IS350/250, or maybe a yellow

TheRupp

As nice as that car looks (I do agree with you, completely), it holds nothing against the new IS. The IS is going to walk all over the baby Benz, regardless of the supercharged engine or the 3.2L in it. The only one that'd compete (which doesn't, since it's not even in the same price or engine bracket) is the C55.

The 1.8L (C230K) puts out 189 hp. 189 hp < 2xx hp. The IS250 is more likely going to compete with the C320 since the 3.2 only puts out 215 hp. (These cars are a LITTLE underpowered for being so expensive )

They also don't hold anything against the IS reliability wise. MB has a terrible reliability reputation.

AJL0365

TheRupp
oh i just like the way the car looks, i know the IS will trample over it, but MB will be coming out with a C350 one day producing like 268hp or something.

question
will the C55AMG compete with the IS350 or the 06 C350? thats what got me confused

saw the C350 on edmunds.com, click inside track or inside line (its one of those to)
Lexus doesnt have to even worry about BMW in terms of styling because the rear of the 3 looks like it was taken off the infiniti G20

TheRupp

They still only got 268hp out of a 3.5 though, but a 7-speed automatic is...different

TED_FR

The 3.5 V6 engine for its first use in Lexus model line has been installed in the GS350 (for the time being, reserved for asia market ). If anyone can read japanese, I'd interested to know what is said on the Lexus japanese site regarding this engine.
http://lexus.jp

spwolf

All depends on what you mean by performance - 0-60 is not real performance. 330i will be significantly slower in any gear, at larger speeds, simply because it has 20% less torque. 0-60 is pretty weak performance measurment - for example, published 330i passing numbers 50-70, 30-50 are fairly weak, and are reflective of its low torque (220 only). Thats real road number, not long 2nd gear for 0-60 :-).

Gojirra99

This question has already been asked in the car chat forum. There are no details on the GS350 specifications yet on this site, but someone here will be keeping track of this site & keep us updated when details are available.

sufall96

You forgot about Acura's 3.5 liter V6 with 300hp in the RL.

Gojirra99

TED_FR is from France & there's no Acura there & I don't know if the equivalent Honda Legend is available there yet ? The Infiniti G35 6MT has 298hp too, & they don't have that there.

TheRupp

Based on engine size it fits in, but I think the RL's dimensions are too big to be competing with the rest of these vehicles.

biker

Yes, Honda Legend just became available in Europe with the same drivetrain as the RL.

spwolf

I think the big thing will be its combination of power and torque - G35's 6MT 298hp engine has "only" 260lbs of torque, same as RL's engine, so when it comes out, IS350 will have the most potent V6 engine....

tek2k

who said it does? if competes against the m35, gs300, e320/350, 530.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i do believe that the new 350 engine will probably be the most powerful in its class