Lexus plans it's own 'AMG' shop-Car & Driver July '04
07-14-04 | 09:50 AM
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From: Kansas
Lexus plans it's own 'AMG' shop-Car & Driver July '04
It's about time, but couldn't they have come up with something better than "GT"????
Lexus Plans Its Own ‘AMG’ Shop
BY PETER LYON
July 2004
Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver’s brand, Toyota’s luxury division will set up an in-house performance shop much in the fashion of BMW’s M division and Mercedes-Benz’s well-known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next-generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.
The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo show. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz’s 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.
Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5-liter V-6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s E55 AMG. The GT version of the GS is expected to go on sale in 2006.
One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling from the LF-C concept shown in New York (see page 38) and the 300-hp V-6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006.
Lexus Plans Its Own ‘AMG’ Shop
BY PETER LYON
July 2004
Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver’s brand, Toyota’s luxury division will set up an in-house performance shop much in the fashion of BMW’s M division and Mercedes-Benz’s well-known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next-generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.
The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo show. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz’s 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.
Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5-liter V-6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s E55 AMG. The GT version of the GS is expected to go on sale in 2006.
One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling from the LF-C concept shown in New York (see page 38) and the 300-hp V-6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006.
07-14-04 | 12:31 PM
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From: Powell,Wy
ABSOLUTEY INCREDIBLE..NOW ALL WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY KILL IT WITH POOR STYLING.....sorry did not mean to yell...The need to look at what happened to BMW and their 7 series. Now would be a good time to err on the side of conservative. The rest of the car sells it.
Last edited by zxlr8; 07-14-04 at 12:32 PM.
07-14-04 | 12:49 PM
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From: Alabama
Originally posted by zxlr8
ABSOLUTEY INCREDIBLE..NOW ALL WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY KILL IT WITH POOR STYLING.....sorry did not mean to yell...The need to look at what happened to BMW and their 7 series. Now would be a good time to err on the side of conservative. The rest of the car sells it.
ABSOLUTEY INCREDIBLE..NOW ALL WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY KILL IT WITH POOR STYLING.....sorry did not mean to yell...The need to look at what happened to BMW and their 7 series. Now would be a good time to err on the side of conservative. The rest of the car sells it.
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