CAIFAN_64

iTrader: (1)

"For 2008, the IS250 will be gone, replaced by the V6 245 Hp IS300 from the GS. I do not have inside news. Here's the rational:

204 Hp is not enough in this segment: G35 - 300Hp, BMW 325 going to 328 with 230 hp. BMW330 is going from 255 hp to 300 hp. Even Camry/Altima/Accord has more power than IS250. Starting at $31K and only 204 hp. Unacceptable!

For 2007, GS300 is gone from the line up, replaced by GS350. History will repeat itself with the 2008 IS 250 to IS300. I'm surprised Lexus didn't make this happen earlier, as in Model year 2007. BMW made the change within one year. From the 330 255 hp in 2006 to 300hp unit for 2007".

Let the speculation begin.

I found this in another IS forum whta do you guys think??????

TimboIS

I can verify... he DID find it on myis.

Gojirra99

I personally think that's inevitable, & I have said this a year ago when the IS250 first came out that I expect them to do a mid-cycle upgrade from IS250 to IS300 to stay competitive . . .

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

Yup I believe it to and also knew this was/is going to happen.

North America US Spec: 2008 Lexus IS300 will have the 3.0 V6 from the 06 GS300.
Europe/Asia: Will have the same 2.5L that is currently in the 2007 IS.

So I bet this is what is going to happen for 2008+. This makes sense because the 2.5L engine will not go to waste.

conekiller

I'm still amazed the 250 was even produced w/the 204hp engine. If anything the 250 should have at least maintained the power output of the outgoing IS300...offering a new LARGER/HEAVIER car with considerably less power was...well...dumb.

Gtidan

You could be on to something.......The IS250 motor is a concession to the European tax system on displacement. However, in order to keep interest up on the IS350 here at home there are rumors that the 2.5 motor puts out some 20+ HP more then the ratings. Just as Mercedes did with their 2.3 Kompressor motor. Every Mercedes forum member pretty much knew it kicked out at least 20 HP more than the 192 claimed to keep interest in their 3.2 motor rated at 225 or so.

Here is a segment taken from a Canadian review of the IS250/350 alluding to what I said earlier>.. The full review is here:

http://www.carpages.ca/go/roadtest/2...road_test.aspx

The IS 250's 204-hp V6 definitely gives off a seat-of-the-pants impression that the rumors of its horsepower rating being downplayed may be correct. (Photo: Hideo "Edge" Egashira, Lexus Canada)

Where I-6s offer the pinnacle of engine smoothness, promoted by none other than rival BMW, the IS follows the lead of Mercedes-Benz which dropped its inlinesixes years ago in place of a series of new V6 engines. Where we can chalk one up for Lexus, is in just how quiet and refined its new 2.5-litre V6 is, even with direct injection on board, a technology acclaimed for its performance-boosting abilities but panned for its inherent loudness. With the aforementioned D4-S direct injection system, dual variable valve timing, and dual overhead cams, the smaller 2.5-litre engine comes close to eclipsing the old IS 300's performance too, with an output of 204-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, giving it an impressively high specific power ratio. Rumors have it that this value is downplayed, with the actual output being some 20 horses higher. It certainly gives off a seat-of-the-pants impression that the rumors may be correct.

daveortega

Let's dispell that right now: as new 2006 models, the 2IS' ratings are based on the revised SAE specification. In other words, the power rating is exactly as published.

BottomsUp

does this make buying an IS250 right now a bad idea?

TimboIS

Exactly .

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

to compete with the new BMW 328 (230 hp) this is a good move, production wise its very simple, the 300 engine has been tested and produced, I bet all thats different is the crank and maybe other things, not that hard to change over

The Chad

I believe that the change would be an excellent move, for all of the reasons mentioned above.

But I don't think that offering the lesser horsepower / heavier car than the IS300 has hindered sales. But the sheer number of IS250s I see compared to the IS350s, I'd say they are selling quite well, even if some of us feel the power is slightly anemic.

You can now get XDrive on practically every Bimmer these days, including the 3-series coupe. I think to be more "competitive", I would rather see them bring the AWD platform to the 350, because as of now, sales of the 250 still have to be pretty good. Wait until they slump before a mid-model re-fit.

DeadPixel

That's what I'd like to know. I'm looking for one now.

The Chad

Until it's confirmed by Lexus Corporate, it's just speculation. If you're concerned, wait until the spring auto shows to see if Lexus debuts something. But if you don't see anything by late spring, it won't be here for '08. And doing a significant refresh only in the 3rd MY would be kind of early for a good selling car.

My opinion. If you need the car now, I wouldn't wait. If you can afford to wait, I might see what happens in the next few months.

ABC

That would be pretty cool if they did an IS300. If it gets the same gas mileage as the 250, i would consider 'upgrading' to it in a year or two. I have a blast with the 250, i can't image having another ~40-50hp to mess with

IS_250

iTrader: (2)

i think the 3.0 from the GS would net better gas mileage. ive driven 2 06' GS300 loaners and my brother just bought one. ive put plenty of miles on each of them and i averaged over 28 MPG in mixed driving compared to 24-26 in my IS 250..