Scotty99

This could be the Lexus answer:

http://my.is/forums/showthread.php?t=283726

Rockville

but the answer for Lexus will be more hybrids. If you take the IS350 and add the Hybrid CVT trans and electric motors (space could be a limitation) you get 339 HP normally aspirated with instant torque and 33% less gas consumption, 80% less emissions. The weight increase would require a stiffer suspension. BTW, VDIM is a plus not a negative. The press has brainwashed the male ego to resist any electronic Nanny's. Anyone want to go back to non ABS? When I started driving there wasn't any power steering, power brakes or automatics on sports cars. Driving an Aston Martin DB4 is quite a work out especially if you need to parallel park it. The TR3's, Mini Coopers and Healy 3000's were a lot of fun but couldn't keep up with an IS250 of today. BMW's of today require a lot of stall time getting downloads. We don't have that at Lexus. When a turbocharged Bimmer hits the market it will get raves from the press. The owners will get the bill.....

Rock

GFerg

Or maybe just a coincidence or a combination of all the main competitors jumping into the hp race. Though it is nice to see BMW up hp and hell even match the IS350, I dont think it was only because of Lexus.

Ramon

Agreed. I tend to think that BMW was due for an engine upgrade. I don't think it was the IS350 that initiated the change.

y2ks2k

But they did! This year they went from the 225 hp engine to the 255 hp engine.

akhbhaat

200 lbs? Please - just stop. No offense, but you're really starting to look foolish.

The entire magnesium/aluminum N52B30 (3.0L) block (including necessary peripherals; all operating gear, camshafts, timing gear, and whatnot) currently used in the E90 only weighs 160 kg / 352 lbs. No idea what the N54 weighs, though it's said to be considerably lighter than the 4.0L V8 currently used in the 540i (which I believe is lighter than - or at least no heavier than - the old 210 kg M60B40 block, let alone the 221 kg M62B44). BMW Ag press release claims reduction of 70 kg from aforementioned 4.0L, but I'm a bit skeptical.

The all-aluminum construction of the N54 block should add around 8-10 kg to the block weight over the N52 (probably about in line with that of the aluminum M54B30, 170 kg), all of the turbo plumbing should add about the same, perhaps less. I figure no more than ~175 kg for the whole shebang.

akhbhaat

On another note, it's in BMW's best interest to price the 335i competitively with the IS350 and G35 and dump the underpowered 330i entirely (maybe give the 325 model a slight boost in the process, but it's really not needed yet...seeing as it already runs rings around the IS250, TSX, and others).

I know I won't even think of buying the 335i if the base price of the sedan model exceeds 40k. You're talking 5 series, E-class, GS territory.

BMW is supposedly developing a 2.5L SULEV-II qualified engine for Sept. 06 production, specifically for the US market, named N51B25. No word on whether or not this engine will use HPI, though I doubt it (that would be the under-development N53 series: naturally aspirated derivatives of the N54, replacing Valvetronic with HPI and using current displacements).

This being the case, it would probably find its way into a new entry-level 3 series, or (considerably less likely) replace the detuned 3.0 found in the 325i in emissions sensitive states. Can't see this thing intended for 1 series use when the US-market 1 series intro is still years away. Personally, I think this engine will be used in a 320i/323i type of car, using the E90 chassis, and selling for under 30k with around 190 hp. Upgrade the 325 a bit, dump the 330i and replace it with the 335i. Slight (<$2000) price increases for all of them. But, that's just my opinion. Though the European strategy is apparently set in stone, nobody knows for sure what BMWNA will do at this point. At least, nobody who talks.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

You have to remember what 1SickLex and others said in another topic. Development of new cars and engines don't happen overnight. BMW didn't wait unitl the end of 05 to see what engine the IS350 has and then decide to build a turbocharged motor. They have been developing this motor for a while now. Some have said for at least 2 years now. Maybe they were in the same boat as Lexus. Just as the GS300 will get a new engine and become a GS350, it probbly is the same for BMW. The current 330 and GS300 engines were probably put in there because they needed to release the car and the other engines just weren't ready yet.

dkaplan435

Excellent post. Thanks to you and 1SickLex for pointing out these facts, which should be obvious to all, but isn't.

bagwell

I agree...bring on the Hybrid IS.....

mcfly

You've obviously never driven a car with a CVT transmission. If you had, you wouldn't be so enthusiastic. It's the biggest piece of garbage imagineable, at least for someone professing even a moderate interest in driving a sports sedan.

XeroK00L

Apparantly Lexus has much improved the CVT for the GS450h according to thecarconnection.com, which says that the transmission is smooth and the transition between the electric motor and the gas motor is nearly imperceptible, unlike the previous hybrid vehicles.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...74.A10059.html

mcfly

I could care less how smooth it is. If you're interested in driving a performance vehicle that professes to get around corner quickly, smooth isn't a primary concern. You want control of gears. A CVT has none.

y2ks2k

I think people are also forgetting that the 3 series does have a stock 333 HP engine in it from the factory. I think a lot of people forget that the M3 is still a 3 series... hella over priced but still...

But they continue to miss the boat on the 330 model with HP. At this point, its well behind just about every car in this class as far as HP goes. Considering this is the model put up in this class. BMW has has what 4 years to put up G35 hp and 2+ years to put up TL HP. They respond 4 years later to the G35 with an engine with 45 less hp

Gojirra99

The tranny on the GS450H has a manual mode simulated six-speed, so you can have some control, but of course nothing compares to a true manual transmission with a clutch.