Latest info on Lexus 4IS powerplant... (hold onto your seats for this one)
#31
#32
#33
Pole Position
You guys are crazy if you think Lexus will make a standard IS that hits 400 HP haha. MAYBE if it’s the 4ISF.
#35
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
It will be interesting to see if Lexus pairs the BMW B58 with the ZF 8 speed auto or their own 10-speed Aisin. The B58 would definitely put some ***** into the 4IS. It would give it an awesome performance characteristic being a straight six. Also BMW is phasing that engine out soon presumably as they always revamp their engines every few years so Lexus may be getting a deep discount as production costs are more efficient. So this may be a win/win for BMW and Lexus all the way around. And people probably don't cross shop a Lexus vs. BMW as one would a Mercedes vs. BMW so I don't think BMW would be terribly worried at giving their engine away eating at their 3-Series. Especially if BMW ends up putting an even BETTER redesigned engine in the 3 Series.
So I could see this playing out very well for everyone. And again the B58 is a refined mature reliable design. So it's possible Lexus wants something mature and developed in such a high volume performance oriented car vs. their own TT v6 which is kind of new to be throwing around en masse. Another reason this news could be true.
So I could see this playing out very well for everyone. And again the B58 is a refined mature reliable design. So it's possible Lexus wants something mature and developed in such a high volume performance oriented car vs. their own TT v6 which is kind of new to be throwing around en masse. Another reason this news could be true.
#36
#37
The final nail for the entire IS line? No it won't. It may be to a bunch of enthusiasts (who represent like 1% of the buying market). Nobody else will care if the IS has a model that is ~ 400hp...nobody. Hell it's even a hard stretch to get the vast majority of people to opt up for the IS350 now.
#38
The final nail for the entire IS line? No it won't. It may be to a bunch of enthusiasts (who represent like 1% of the buying market). Nobody else will care if the IS has a model that is ~ 400hp...nobody. Hell it's even a hard stretch to get the vast majority of people to opt up for the IS350 now.
And partly because as you mentioned, +95% of the IS's I see on the road are not 350s, and there are a lot in my area.
#39
drives cars
Not to overgeneralize, but yeah, most ISs I see are 300 AWD and 250. I've only seen a couple of 350s in my area, and one of them was not an F Sport. The bulk of the buying market remains. I think the folks that do buy them still see the value in it. If they didn't, they could just as easily buy the larger and more comfortable ES for the same money.
#40
Pole Position
I would be pretty pissed if they didn’t use their Aisin transmission. I trust BMW’s straight 6 because it’s been used for a long time and Lexus won’t use something that isn’t reliable, but transmission is a different story for me.
#41
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Here's a list of the current customers of the legendary ZF 8 speed.
- Alfa Romeo
- Alpina
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Haval
- Iveco
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Lamborghini
- Lancia
- Land Rover
- Maserati
- Ram Trucks
- Rolls-Royce
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
#42
Lexus Test Driver
I'd rather have the ZF 8 speed. Its been proven reliable in high horsepower applications such as the RS4 and the shift speeds are probably the best in the industry for a torque converter unit. Its simply the best conventional automatic sold.
#43
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Yep! The article says the ZF 8 can handle 770 lbs of torque. Does duty in Rolls Royce and Ram Trucks as well as sports cars. So definitely a masterpiece of engineering!
#45
Pole Position
Eh, I prefer the Aisin. But at the end of the day, I’d like to see a 350 HP IS with less or same weight as now with an 8 Speed. That would be a nice combo. With some mods I’m sure we could get the IS to 400 HP.