Lexus IS Next to Get Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
#92
#93
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I personally think the new C class suffers from a common problem in exterior design, boring rear-end design. Something about those round headlights. Front and sides look good but the rear-end is just uninspiring, while the 3IS looks great from every angle.
It's true that a lot of cars suffer same, and some say will well how often do you look at the back of your car? The truth is probably more often than any other angles when not driving -- most of the time when I approach my car in a parking lot, I'm approaching from the back. The amount of time a driver heading in the same direction sees the back of my car is much greater than the amount of time drivers headed in the opposite direction see the front.
I just think the Lexus design team really redeemed their past, differentiated themselves with the current gen IS, and made BMW, Benz, and Audi look quite boring by comparison.
It's true that a lot of cars suffer same, and some say will well how often do you look at the back of your car? The truth is probably more often than any other angles when not driving -- most of the time when I approach my car in a parking lot, I'm approaching from the back. The amount of time a driver heading in the same direction sees the back of my car is much greater than the amount of time drivers headed in the opposite direction see the front.
I just think the Lexus design team really redeemed their past, differentiated themselves with the current gen IS, and made BMW, Benz, and Audi look quite boring by comparison.
I personally think the Europeans are better designers than the Japanese, which is probably why Europe is a top designer's continent. The reasons I like about my Lexus IS350 F Sport is how it handles well and the reliability of having a car made and ship from Japan. I honestly think Lexus can increase their sales by having better designs for their cars
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Last edited by FinaLpeace; 06-28-14 at 01:03 AM.
#94
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It's definitely more luxurious than the IS. For example, one option it has or maybe it's standard is the led lights running along the door and the cabin is full of leather especially the mid console, whereas the IS has a huge black plastic mid console...... that easily scratches along with an increase attraction to dusts. Also when both cars light up, you can tell the C Class is a higher class car whereas the IS has nothing awesome about it besides the hate it or like it spindle grill and the nike swoosh headlight. Also the rear end is where the downside comes in. Those headlights could be done way better, the second generation IS models from 2009-2013 had way better tail lights.
I personally think the Europeans are better designers than the Japanese, which is probably why Europe is a top designer's continent. The reasons I like about my Lexus IS350 F Sport is how it handles well and the reliability of having a car made and ship from Japan. I honestly think Lexus can increase their sales by having better designs for their cars
I like how the S4 looks too
Lexus holds their value from reliability reputation that is pretty much it. Not to mention the Mercedes logo glows and lights up when you turn on your headlights, why didn't Lexus do that!
I personally think the Europeans are better designers than the Japanese, which is probably why Europe is a top designer's continent. The reasons I like about my Lexus IS350 F Sport is how it handles well and the reliability of having a car made and ship from Japan. I honestly think Lexus can increase their sales by having better designs for their cars
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On the other hand, with regard to styling I think the 3IS is a fantastic looking car from every angle (and it is extremely rare for me to say that about any car, because most cars have at least one exterior design aspect I don't like). I actually had an early positive reaction to the spindle grill, whereas many people seemed to reject bolder design ideas at first and slowly warm up to them over time. The more I look at this car the better it gets.
I wish I could say the same for Audis, but their design philosophy seems to be geared toward accountants (lol). I think some of the new Benz models look great with the aggressive front end, but those droopy-eye tail lights on the C400 make it look kind of like a Maxima from 14 years ago from the back. BMW seems to be avoiding doing anything too objectionable with their designs, and in almost all cases I can never find anything glaringly ugly about them, the problem is that they seem to struggle to find ways to maintain their signature grill and other classic features while innovating exterior design features at the same time. Year after year their cars end up look much like the decade before.
I have not been in the interior of a C400 but it wouldn't surprise me if they are very nice as you say. I would say the same thing about Audi -- generally nice interiors, if only they could design both inside and out. That said I don't see anything wrong with the 3IS interior, I think it's quite slick and competitive with anything else in it's class. I would like to see more scratch-resistant materials from Lexus. The 2015 apparently replace some of the silver colored trim with piano black which sounds like a recipe for more scratches to me.
#95
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Rumor: Lexus IS to Get 2-Liter Turbocharged Four?
By Marcus Slater
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P
14-04-20-lexus-nx-turbo-engine-2.jpg
Now here's an interesting thought: What if Lexus put their new turbo four into the IS? They could call it, "The IS 200t." I can practically smell the promotional materials being printed already.
I don't hate Lexus' 2.5-liter V6, but it's not a particularly thrilling engine
. For it's displacement and size and weight, it's seriously under powered
. Even with the understanding that it's a base model option, the IS needs a better powerplant for it's entry level option
. If the rumormill is to be believed, it'll be getting it soon.
Lexus just announced they'll be putting a 2-liter turbocharged four cylinder in the engine bay of the NX that'll make 238 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is just a rumor, but honestly, this seems like a no brainer. The IS would be lighter, more powerful and more efficient, if it had what the NX has.
That'd be a break from the IS's six-cylinder heritage (in the USA, anyway), but I don't think the fanboys will mind that too much. Consider for a moment, that the four-cylinder turbo charged IS would be more powerful than every other base model IS, including the original IS 300. Also, consider that Lexus won't have the boost cranked all the way up out of the gate. I'm willing to bet that a chip will be able to get this motor past it's current 238 horsepower with ease.
A small, turbo charged, four cylinder sedan from Lexus. I never thought it'd happen. Next thing you know they'll give it a stick.
A guy can hope right?
via [Left Lane News]
Not my post but just wanted to see hear thoughts on it. When I read this in a magazine somewhere I was hopeful. Like the writer states "a guy can hope"
By Marcus Slater
submit to reddit
P
14-04-20-lexus-nx-turbo-engine-2.jpg
Now here's an interesting thought: What if Lexus put their new turbo four into the IS? They could call it, "The IS 200t." I can practically smell the promotional materials being printed already.
I don't hate Lexus' 2.5-liter V6, but it's not a particularly thrilling engine
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Lexus just announced they'll be putting a 2-liter turbocharged four cylinder in the engine bay of the NX that'll make 238 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is just a rumor, but honestly, this seems like a no brainer. The IS would be lighter, more powerful and more efficient, if it had what the NX has.
That'd be a break from the IS's six-cylinder heritage (in the USA, anyway), but I don't think the fanboys will mind that too much. Consider for a moment, that the four-cylinder turbo charged IS would be more powerful than every other base model IS, including the original IS 300. Also, consider that Lexus won't have the boost cranked all the way up out of the gate. I'm willing to bet that a chip will be able to get this motor past it's current 238 horsepower with ease.
A small, turbo charged, four cylinder sedan from Lexus. I never thought it'd happen. Next thing you know they'll give it a stick.
A guy can hope right?
via [Left Lane News]
Not my post but just wanted to see hear thoughts on it. When I read this in a magazine somewhere I was hopeful. Like the writer states "a guy can hope"
FYI, Lexus had a small turbo diesel in Europe...
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FYI the specs for the NX are released, 235hp, 258lbs torque
MPG is 22/28 for a 24 rating.
#96
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Man, for the same gas mileage I think I'd rather forego the 30 HP in favor of a cooler, quieter, less complex V6 with a more linear torque curve (the current 2.5L) and less engine vibration.
#97
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To be fair the Lexus turbo hasn't been sampled yet. It should prove to be a gem like it's forbearing powertrains while providing modern specs to aline with both government and social views. Lexus has been working on this for some time not to mention the larger FI mills coming. The next generation of Lexus should prove to be nothing short of spectacular
#98
Lexus Champion
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I just hope that this turbo 4 packs some punch like the 328i which is underrated. When my 535i was in the shop I swear the loaner 328i I had was just as fast as a E90 335i .
#99
Lexus Test Driver
#100
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Aloha,
Larry
#101
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To be fair the Lexus turbo hasn't been sampled yet. It should prove to be a gem like it's forbearing powertrains while providing modern specs to aline with both government and social views. Lexus has been working on this for some time not to mention the larger FI mills coming. The next generation of Lexus should prove to be nothing short of spectacular
Turbos have been around for a very long time, and those who have been around a long time begin to recognize a pattern over a period of many decades:
"Oh, this _________ (fill in the blank with technology name) is not like the _________ (same name) of yesteryear, modern versions are much better at _______________ "(fill in the blank with whatever marketing has deemed will sell new technology).
It doesn't matter what the technology is, the only thing required to sell it is a new marketing spin.
Luckily, regulated metrics like MPG ratings help introduce some level of honesty into the equation. Some will choose to ignore the very facts that were designed to help them and go their own way in the pursuit of another 10% or so HP. Thankfully for the marketing team, there are enough car buyers out there that are still easy pickings. Unfortunately for the customer it's not always in their best interest. I'd like to think Lexus customers are smart enough to understand the technology behind turbocharging and why there's nothing Lexus can do to make it a magic bullet for more horsepower with no tradeoffs. They are simply making sure they are not perceived as falling behind their competition. The turbo trend faded before, and it will again.
#102
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I think as always, Lexus will do a fantastic job and very possibly best the competition with their turbo offerings. The problem is that they need to defy physics (good luck with that) and do the unimaginable, not just best the competition. The turbo versions from their competitors are already getting a reality check in the media (maybe this is one reason BMW made only a partial commitment to it in the low-end 3 series?).
Turbos have been around for a very long time, and those who have been around a long time begin to recognize a pattern over a period of many decades:
"Oh, this _________ (fill in the blank with technology name) is not like the _________ (same name) of yesteryear, modern versions are much better at _______________ "(fill in the blank with whatever marketing has deemed will sell new technology).
It doesn't matter what the technology is, the only thing required to sell it is a new marketing spin.
Luckily, regulated metrics like MPG ratings help introduce some level of honesty into the equation. Some will choose to ignore the very facts that were designed to help them and go their own way in the pursuit of another 10% or so HP. Thankfully for the marketing team, there are enough car buyers out there that are still easy pickings. Unfortunately for the customer it's not always in their best interest. I'd like to think Lexus customers are smart enough to understand the technology behind turbocharging and why there's nothing Lexus can do to make it a magic bullet for more horsepower with no tradeoffs. They are simply making sure they are not perceived as falling behind their competition. The turbo trend faded before, and it will again.
Turbos have been around for a very long time, and those who have been around a long time begin to recognize a pattern over a period of many decades:
"Oh, this _________ (fill in the blank with technology name) is not like the _________ (same name) of yesteryear, modern versions are much better at _______________ "(fill in the blank with whatever marketing has deemed will sell new technology).
It doesn't matter what the technology is, the only thing required to sell it is a new marketing spin.
Luckily, regulated metrics like MPG ratings help introduce some level of honesty into the equation. Some will choose to ignore the very facts that were designed to help them and go their own way in the pursuit of another 10% or so HP. Thankfully for the marketing team, there are enough car buyers out there that are still easy pickings. Unfortunately for the customer it's not always in their best interest. I'd like to think Lexus customers are smart enough to understand the technology behind turbocharging and why there's nothing Lexus can do to make it a magic bullet for more horsepower with no tradeoffs. They are simply making sure they are not perceived as falling behind their competition. The turbo trend faded before, and it will again.
THE LEXUS COVENANT
Lexus will enter the most competitive,
prestigious automobile race in the world.
Over 50 years of Toyota automotive experience
has culminated in the creation of Lexus cars.
They will be the finest cars ever built.
Lexus will win the race because:
Lexus will do it right from the start.
Lexus will have the finest dealer network
in the industry.
Lexus will treat each customer as we would
a guest in our home.
If you think you can’t, you won’t …
If you think you can, you will!
We can, we will.
Lexus will enter the most competitive,
prestigious automobile race in the world.
Over 50 years of Toyota automotive experience
has culminated in the creation of Lexus cars.
They will be the finest cars ever built.
Lexus will win the race because:
Lexus will do it right from the start.
Lexus will have the finest dealer network
in the industry.
Lexus will treat each customer as we would
a guest in our home.
If you think you can’t, you won’t …
If you think you can, you will!
We can, we will.
#103
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I think as always, Lexus will do a fantastic job and very possibly best the competition with their turbo offerings. The problem is that they need to defy physics (good luck with that) and do the unimaginable, not just best the competition. The turbo versions from their competitors are already getting a reality check in the media (maybe this is one reason BMW made only a partial commitment to it in the low-end 3 series?).
Turbos have been around for a very long time, and those who have been around a long time begin to recognize a pattern over a period of many decades:
"Oh, this _________ (fill in the blank with technology name) is not like the _________ (same name) of yesteryear, modern versions are much better at _______________ "(fill in the blank with whatever marketing has deemed will sell new technology).
It doesn't matter what the technology is, the only thing required to sell it is a new marketing spin.
Luckily, regulated metrics like MPG ratings help introduce some level of honesty into the equation. Some will choose to ignore the very facts that were designed to help them and go their own way in the pursuit of another 10% or so HP. Thankfully for the marketing team, there are enough car buyers out there that are still easy pickings. Unfortunately for the customer it's not always in their best interest. I'd like to think Lexus customers are smart enough to understand the technology behind turbocharging and why there's nothing Lexus can do to make it a magic bullet for more horsepower with no tradeoffs. They are simply making sure they are not perceived as falling behind their competition. The turbo trend faded before, and it will again.
Turbos have been around for a very long time, and those who have been around a long time begin to recognize a pattern over a period of many decades:
"Oh, this _________ (fill in the blank with technology name) is not like the _________ (same name) of yesteryear, modern versions are much better at _______________ "(fill in the blank with whatever marketing has deemed will sell new technology).
It doesn't matter what the technology is, the only thing required to sell it is a new marketing spin.
Luckily, regulated metrics like MPG ratings help introduce some level of honesty into the equation. Some will choose to ignore the very facts that were designed to help them and go their own way in the pursuit of another 10% or so HP. Thankfully for the marketing team, there are enough car buyers out there that are still easy pickings. Unfortunately for the customer it's not always in their best interest. I'd like to think Lexus customers are smart enough to understand the technology behind turbocharging and why there's nothing Lexus can do to make it a magic bullet for more horsepower with no tradeoffs. They are simply making sure they are not perceived as falling behind their competition. The turbo trend faded before, and it will again.
All of this BS about turbos being a gimmick needs to stop. Maybe it is lack of knowledge or misconception, but it just isn't true. Maximum horsepower derived from maximum boost has very little to do with overall efficiency at low-loads. It has more to do with proper cam profiles, turbo sizes, engine displacement, combustion chamber designs, Direct Injection and obviously proper tuning. For instance, my other car is an 820hp 2005 EVO VIII that gets 27mpg on the highway with gigantic cams and a fairly large turbo (out of a 2.0L engine). If the engineers want good highway MPG and great power out of a small power plant (or even a larger power plant), it is fairly easy these days and is the future, like it or not. It's the only way to have the best of both worlds, in most situations. The only thing really stopping them is flawed public perception from misconception.
The science behind internal combustion engines and forced-induction isn't going to change just because you don't understand it. Sorry.
Give me a smaller turbo-charged engine over a larger naturally-aspirated engine anyday.
#104
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All of this BS about turbos being a gimmick needs to stop. Maybe it is lack of knowledge or misconception, but it just isn't true. Maximum horsepower derived from maximum boost has very little to do with overall efficiency at low-loads. It has more to do with proper cam profiles, turbo sizes, engine displacement, combustion chamber designs, Direct Injection and obviously proper tuning. For instance, my other car is an 820hp 2005 EVO VIII that gets 27mpg on the highway with gigantic cams and a fairly large turbo (out of a 2.0L engine). If the engineers want good highway MPG and great power out of a small power plant (or even a larger power plant), it is fairly easy these days and is the future, like it or not. It's the only way to have the best of both worlds, in most situations. The only thing really stopping them is flawed public perception from misconception.
The science behind internal combustion engines and forced-induction isn't going to change just because you don't understand it. Sorry.
Give me a smaller turbo-charged engine over a larger naturally-aspirated engine anyday.
The science behind internal combustion engines and forced-induction isn't going to change just because you don't understand it. Sorry.
Give me a smaller turbo-charged engine over a larger naturally-aspirated engine anyday.
I'm not saying turbos are the wrong choice for everyone, they are just not the best choice if your priority is on gas mileage.
#105
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Your opinion is what it is, and I understand why some folks want turbos for HP reasons (the very fact that you own an 820HP car tells me exactly which category you are in), but your own perceptions of the benefits of turbos can never change the fact that the real world mpg folks are getting in the new turbos from BMW, Audi and such are proving disappointing. Scientific explanations of how things work will never trump actual results.
I'm not saying turbos are the wrong choice for everyone, they are just not the best choice if your priority is on gas mileage.
I'm not saying turbos are the wrong choice for everyone, they are just not the best choice if your priority is on gas mileage.
1. Turbo or no turbo, your gas mileage will always suffer badly in the city with a internal combustion engine, unless you have a hybrid or some other non-traditional technology. When you look at city ratings, almost all modern internal combustion engines get roughly the same effeciency. Some are a little better than others due to some advances like being able to shut the engine off at a stop light....etc. The differentiator is highway effeciency as this is where you start to see large swings in true engine effeciency.
2. If you keep your foot out of the gas when you do accelerate, especially in the city, you will get better gas mileage. Just because the power is there, doesn't mean you alway have to use it or even a portion of it. Power will always require fuel, regardless. The more power you ask of an engine, the more fuel it will need to provide it. Most people with turbo-charged cars are slightly addicted to the instant torque and thus usually have terrible gas mileage or do not understand that a
Turbo-changed car should be driven differently than a N/A car.