bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

hello big camry... welcome to the new family look.

Toys4RJill

And why would they not? The corporate Toyota/Lexus 3.5 V6 was debuted on the 05 Avalon. Toyota Tundra also was the debut platform for the 5.7 V8 used in LX/LC. Upcoming Tacoma introduced the new 3.5 motor. Toyota 4Runner/Tundra introduced the 4.7 VVT enhancement that then mades its way to the LX and LC.

spwolf

some people think that Toyota should delay their engines in other models, so they could be introduced in certain Lexus vehicles first... never made sense to me at all.

And anyway, they introduce them as soon as they are ready.

RXSF

Well its also that 300 hp being sent to the front wheels is a bit much. They should still add DI and all the new tech into the engine but they should detune it for better economy and keep it at around 280hp.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Azera, Cadenza, Impala, Maxima all push over 290hp so whatever it ends up being it can't stay at 268hp anymore.

Aron9000

Now days you can dial back the torque steer through the computer by limiting the engine's power at lower speeds/from a dead stop or using the brakes and stability control programs.

Not the ideal way to handle it IMO, the best way to deal with torque steer is to design your suspension geometry to where it doesn't occur in the first place. If you've ever driven a turbocharged Saab from 10-15 years ago(one of the first really high HP FWD cars), you'll know that engineers now days have really managed to dial that crap out of these big FWD V6 cars now days compared to those old Saabs

pbm317

Looks like they've tapered that plastic chrome mustache on the top grille, which would be a good step.

Definitely good to keep the Avalon fresh. Would be surprised to see big powertrain enhancements though.

They've got to fend off the new 2016 Nissan Maxima that was shown in the Super Bowl commercial.

spwolf

It is engine with atkinson cycle on demand... how do you detune it, limit it to 5000 rpm? I mean heh... One day people complain about too little hp and then people complain about too much hp.

RXSF

I dont think anyone really complains about a midsize family sedan having 268 horsepower. I just think that it would make sense to have a modest increase to about 280 rather than having 300, but gain the extra 2mpg. 268 is too little for the RX which is 4000 pounds, but is just fine in the camry

Toys4RJill

Technically the Avalon with the 3.5 will make 280hp with premium fuel. Its the SAE rating that gives you a better idea what the 3.5 when reg fuel and all the accessories are being used. GM used to have some 300hp FWD sedans with the Northstar engine in it, while hush hush quiet and ice skating smooth, they were never reliable and often left owners stranded or waiting for parts at the dealer. This is one of the reasons why GM had a limp home mode and they ADVERTISED it. I wouldn't expect Toyota to have any problems with regards to reliability.

mmarshall

Also by using equal-length/weight front drive shafts. Engineers discovered, years ago, that unequal-length shafts of different weight tended to make torque steer worse by having an unbalanced gyroscopic-effect on the two spinning front wheels.

mmarshall

Most Americans (and those in stop-and-go traffic), as opposed to typical European drivers, prefer more throttle response at lower engine speeds (where torque plays a much larger role than HP). Europeans, on the other hand, generally don't mind winding their engines out, and that is where high-RPM horsepower takes over. Torque is what actually gets the car moving from a stop and speeds it up from gear to gear. At higher speeds, where air resistance is the main factor, not vehicle weight, horsepower is the main factor, since, on a flat level surface, it determines how fast the vehicle can actually reach before increasing air resistance prevents any further acceleration.

For proof, just look at your typical American high-powered sports machines (Corvette, Camaro SS/Z28, Viper, Shelby Mustang, Dodge SRT/Hellcat, etc....). They are all torque-monsters with instant throttle-response from low speeds (sometimes burning up the rear tires if the traction-control is not used), and a comparatively low engine redline. The typical European high-powered sports car/exotic, on the other hand, has a flat-six, V8, or V12 designed for very high RPMs and strong high-speed acceleration, and not as much torque right off the line.

mmarshall

The Azera, while technically a competitor to the Avalon on paper (size, weight, specs, etc...) is not truly a factor in real life.......it simply does not sell enough copies. The Cadenza, while also a nice car, is not a huge-seller either, despite its good value. The Impala is going to be the real threat to the Avalon....its new-found engineering and driving excellence is attracting buyers that wouldn't have touched the previous rental-grade models.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Large FWD V6 sedans stick together

Toys4RJill

It makes no sense to debut them on Lexus models, Toyota sells in higher volumes so I imagine that economies of scale are what is most important.

Usually, a brand new engine will debut on a brand new platform. The 3.5, 4.7, 5.7 all were Toyota models. The 4.0 was a Taco/4Runner/Tundra in 05. Lexus had a few of their own.