Just curious....if the GS450H performance is similar to a 4.5liter V8. What happens after the GS460 comes out next year? I assume the GS460 would beat or very least on par with the M45? Either way, customers win.

 

You could be right. The new IS looks more complete and less boyracer than the last. That means modifications probably won't be as effective since there's not much room left for enthusiasts. Kind of like putting aftermarket wheels/tires on a C5/C6 Vette. Doesn't seem to make much difference except when the wheels/tire combo starts gettin too wide, then it just looks weird. These preproduction photos already show the IS sitting on rims that are pushed out to the edge of the fenders, almost aftermarket like. I did a fast PHOTOCHOP on the new IS and it didn't seem to make much difference at all. I lowered it, increased the wheel size and width, just doesn't look quite right. It could be the photo with those ugly stock wheel design(IMO) or my photochop skill ain't up to snuff.

Anyway I saw a Camry last fall with a set of lowenhart 20s. It actually looked pretty good. Car wasn't even drop and as I got closer I knew why, major fender rubbing going on. The 20s really took out the dorkiness that make all camries look weird. I know that most people think the current camry is boring, but it actually has very clean and upscale lines. I think it was mostly the extra too small and narrow 14/15" wheels with hubcabs that ruined most of it's looks. Those combos would make almost any car look bad.

 

GS430 is right there with the M45, .2 secs is not a big difference in this class

 

LEXUS posted the video on their website now.

http://www.lexus.com/autoshow/liveca...htm?zone=page2

 

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=8351

Picked as Most Significant Production Vehicle

 

I really am interested in this...perhaps the "Lexus GT" lineup?

 

2 of them picked the GS450h & IS350 but one of them picked the Hyundai

 

A V8 hybrid could make a good GT for Lexus. I think we may see that with the next redesigned LS (hoping . . . )

 

I dont know if I like this power gauge instead of the tachometer... maybe its just me...

 

What I' ve heard is that the engine rev at a narrower than normal rpm range, thus making a traditional tach rather pointless . . .

 

The '06 GS430 has been running 0-60s in the mags at about 6.0 seconds, and the M45 has routinely been at about 5.5 seconds, and even less (5.3 or so).

It's still not that big of a deal, but the 0-60 of 7.1 obtained by automobile is completely embarassing for Lexus.

 

what'd they do, run it in snow mode? that's GS300 #s.

 

Could it be Automobile that wasn't using the right technique (e.g. brake torque) for testing its 0-60 runs? Otherwise I fail to see how they could possibly get a 7+ sec. result when all other mags are posting at most 6 secs.

 

Well the times posted for the other cars seem pretty normal, so I don't see why there would have been any discrepancy for the GS 430.

 

you sure it wasn't a typo, and they meant the 300 even an RX330 can do 7 second 0-60s