True, anytime I drive a LS430, I'm a always amazed at how strong the powertrain is - it moves with authority.

At least for the LS F-Sport they should have used the IS-F 5.0L and let the standard and L model use the 4.6.

 

That may be Lexus's answer- lighter weight. We'll see in the future, but the CF tech they learned should be used in these upcoming products.

 

No kidding, Hyundai have a 429 hp 5.0L V8 in their Genesis and Equus, what the hell is Lexus doing? Doing the less is more Honda efficiency BS that everyone laughs at? Even if they put the 5.0L in the current LS F-Sport, 416 hp is nothing to brag about, is just not as embarrassing.

Thank god I don't need to buy a car right now.

 

well but at least i think a 460hp gsf would be a stupid idea now when a small rcf is having the same engine. we will definitely wait and see, but if lexus is naive enough to put the same setup in the gs and call it gsf, i will be speechless. that's a way to kill that badge. i don't mind lexus putting that setup in as a v8 version of the gs (i would love it but i doubt that's happening), but not with gsf badge

that's quite a stretch imho. the ls460 is noticeably faster than the ls430. i agree if it doesn't feel as torquey, but ls460 will run away ls430 easily. between ls430 and ls460 swb it's only around 300lb difference

getting too OT, but i just think the rcf spec is a good indication lexus is not stupid enough to make a 460hp gsf. at least i hope

i am quite pumped on the rcf

 

Preaching to the choir my friend, let's hope a new generation of powertrains comes quick because the 4.6L V8 while smooth is again, 2.5L V6 is aging, both 3.5 and 3.5 DI, 4.6L from GX, all of them could benefit from something new. Oh and I always find it funny that Lexus was the first to pioneer the 8-Speed auto yet they are nearly the last to implement it into their line-up

 

I mean, I agree it would be silly to offer a GS-F with the same 461-480hp as the RC-F, but I also feel the RC is in an interesting spot. It's bigger than the IS but smaller than the GS and rides on the GS chassis. Size wise it'll probably be bigger than the M4. What I'm getting at is the RC seems to be a tweener like the A5/S5/RS5 as oppsed to the 3/4 Series relationship and 5/6 Series. I'm happy the GS-F is coming but I'm not holding my breath on power matching the XFR-S, E63 AMG, M5 or euro only affair RS6

Heck even if the F-Sport version of the GS offered something like the 2014 CTS V-Sport and it's 420hp TT V6 that would be nice

 

Torque is what you can "feel", the 460 only got 45 lb-ft more to pull a 300 lbs heavier car, I honestly can't feel much of a differences. When I drive a LS460 compare to my LS430, I mostly just feel more responsiveness from the 2 extra speeds. Another reason is in a vault like quiet car like that, the sensation of speed is really masked.

 

The Japanese tend to do that, once in a while they would bring out something spectacular that blows everyone away, then they won't update it for a very long time. Example:

1990 NSX
1998 GS400
1989 R32 GTR
1993 Supra Turbo
1992 EVO
1994 WRX STi
8-speeds from the LS460

Damn looks like the Japanese only rocks during the 90s!!

 

Yes the RC-F = RS5, they even got the same retractable rear spoiler.

 

Acceleration and peak HP are how we measure a cars merits? A LS F-sport demolishes a LS 430, its like they are from different planets.

The LS 430 was a real anomaly since it was rather lightweight for its 290hp V-8 but I'm sorry I'll take 100hp more anyday even if its not 2 seconds faster.

Outside the GS 400 and IS 350 when they debuted, Lexus has never been about peak HP or having the most power. Not sure why anyone is expecting that. I would be super happy with a 450hp Lexus and we can go from there.

Again driving 500/550/600hp cars around is quite the chore in any environment not the Nurburgring . Which is why now all these RWD high hp German cars are going AWD, to save drivers from the HP they love to brag about.

Quite the circle isn't it.

 

very good point and i hear you. however, even when the a5/s5/rs5 is "larger", comparison wise i think it still falls back to the 3/c range. i don't think it going up against the 6/e/cls at all. i think that's the same case for the rcf. it can be bigger than the IS (which i am happy about), but it's still in the compact luxury range.

so i think we will have to see how lexus rolls on the gsf. for the record i am also very skeptical about them having the gsf with 550hp as well (surprise me please), however if they put it so that the rcf and gsf are in the "range", i can only say that's a very bad move. i don't even know how they are going to place the lf-lc

one thing for sure. the current generation of lexus, they are all hungry for more power because of the awesome chassis. gs can use a v8 at least (and more powerful one too), and is can take more than 300hp easily. the rcf is another way to show that obviously with the "rumored" (can we call that truth already?) 460hp setup. lexus set the plates right already, now i just hope they find a way to put the right food on them

 

I am just comparing one factor, but I am sure that is a big factor for a lot of people.

Hell yes, me too!!

You find it to be a chore? I find it delightful 600 hp is still not that much on the street IMO, only 1000+ is a handful. Just keep the wheel aiming straight is my advice

 

Lexus could very well repeat what AMG did with the M156 engine, they put it in everything, C/CLK/CLS/E/S/SL/CL/ML/R class with a slightly different tune for 450/480/507/510/518 hp.

 

Very true, I know the LS460 is quick but it's so quiet other than the speedometer I have little indication of how fast I'm going

 

I always say that they show their cake behind glass but you can never get to it lol