Sulu

When you say DCT, I assume that you are looking for a proper, dual-shaft, automated-manual transmission and not a normal planetary gear automatic transmission with clutch packs (which is what MB did). Real DCTs are not exactly known for refinement, so Toyota could be working on smoothing it out. There may also be the problem with patents. I believe that a few transmission designers own patents for the clutch packs and we know that Toyota does not like to pay licencing fees to others for the use of their technology so Toyota may be working on their own technology.

And I assume you are looking for a mechanical torque-vectoring system because it could easily be done with the ABS by braking an inside wheel.

Do you want both DCT and torque-vectoring together? They could do them separately.

Adding mechanical AWD (with a driveshaft to the rear wheels) to the ES would remove one feature that now seems to be specific to Toyota, which is the flat rear floor. Having the flat rear floor on my ES really opens up the rear foot room, making it that much more comfortable for 3 in the back seat.

Toyota could add eAWD to the ESh with an electric motor driving the rear wheels but we would likely not see that until the next generation ES comes out in 2 or 3 years time.

I believe that hybrids are the way to go; they just need to improve battery capacity, which will allow for the use of stronger electric motors and allow the car to run in EV mode for longer. Diesels are terribly dirty technology that require a lot of extra add-ons to make them clean, and for those who have breathing problems (members of my family have asthma) diesels are absolutely terrible. European cities (like Paris and London) are now questioning their support of diesel cars for the past few years. If you have vacationed there, you really come to appreciate the much-cleaner air of North American cities.

F versions for every single model -- even FWD-based, comfortable models like the CTh, ES, RX and NX? Would that not dilute the image of the F?

mikez

Porsche's DCT is smooth as hell... what do you mean by DCT is not known for refinement?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I think Lexus has the right tools and technology to engineer an adaptive/active suspension that absorbs a bump as well as it can handle an apex, and still have a sleeker more exotic profile. The LC looks plush and poised, I expect the 5LS to be the same.

I think the focus for the next IS, RC, and GS will be a weight reduction coupled with with new powertrains. Should be some very competitive '18 and '19 models.

We won't have to wait long, we're on the cusp of a change of guard when it comes to powertrains.

Infiniti's 3.0TT is just another reason to get a 350 replacement to the front lines. 306-311hp/277-280lbft is stout for 3.5L's, but the new norm has comparative vehicles treading 330-340hp.

Lexus mmc (typically 3-years) would suggest later this year the 2017 IS would get a nip/tuck

Beat hybrids at what?

Lexus hybrids are some of the best in the business when it comes to luxury hybrids, quiet, refined. I just wish they offered PHEV options.

Diesel is cool too with the uber amounts of torque but like a hybrid, its just another alternative. There is no right answer.

What are the chances the CT powertrain will be different than the Prius? For some reason I'm still convinced that if a heavier ES300h with its 2.5L I4 (200 total system power) can get 40mpg, like the lighter CT's 1.8L I4 (134 total system power), then they should be able to make a CT300h with 45mpg

Did they? I was reading some prototype drive that said the 10-Speed was hunting for gears too much.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I thought the other day that if they positioned the ES similar to that of the A6, they could distinct the GS further by going the A7 route.

Of course Lexus could just make a new model. I vote FS

Early 2017 as a MY18

CT200t sedan?

Yeah it works great on the RXh, it'd do the same for the ES. If the AWD only came on the hybrid that wouldn't affect the GS AWD as badly as an ES350 with AWD.

Yeah I want to see longer EV range.

I'd rather keep F focused on core RWD models myself.

The DCT in the E92 is quick as heck but very clunky at low speeds in my experience.

Different vehicle but the Ford Focus DCT suffers the same clunky nature.

BrickHead

I want to know when the GX will be redesigned. Will it be called TX? We need a 3row crossover SUV. We could lease a German brand, but prefer buying a Lexus. What's taking Lexus so long to hatch a 3row crossover to compete against Q7 and GLS?

cino

iTrader: (1)

While PDK is a true dual clutch, I think they sacrifice the shifting time for smoothness. GT-R DCT is a tard more brutal, but it's second to none in shifting time. Though if you compare PDK to MB DCT, it's not as smooth as MB DCT at all because MB DCT is an automatics with wet clutch pack.

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

When is a new convertible with rear seats coming ?

Wife's ISC is long in the tooth. I want to replace it with m4 vert but wife will not buy a non Lexus

spwolf

thats just because it was prototype... design wise, not only it is faster than 8AT in RC-F (which is really fast), it also is programmed to be not as smooth so you can feel the changes. Final tuning will come by the end of the year, but this is their goal.

spwolf

Well new CT will be on new platform built from ground up, so they can do whatever they want, without limitations.

I dont think it will get 2.5l hybrid, but they can do many other things:
a. Give it D4-S - which is 8% more power and better MPG as well. 10hp more would be felt especially since it is throughout the range not just at the top.
b. give it slightly larger lion battery that can output more hp.Lets say +10hp max output would be possible.
c. Combination of both :-).

That would likely give next gen CT200h 0-60 in 8s vs current 10s, which would be nice.

They could also use small turbo instead of 1.8l... that would make it much more refined since it could go at 1600rpm forever instead of having to go to 5000rpm when overtaking.. it would be a lot faster too since max torque comes so low (their new 1.2l turbo). But ultimate MPG will be less and of course it would cost even more than today.

cino

iTrader: (1)

Agree. And probably was on normal mode vs Sport+ or sportier setting, and the shifting logic was still in development.

Toys4RJill

Why do you need a 3 row cross over when the BOF GX460 will do just fine, and will probably last longer too?

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Rx is getting a third row

That will compete with the mdx

Sulu

Because I rather drive a car rather than drive a truck.

Because a car-based / crossover utility vehicle is easier to get into compared with a body-on-frame utility vehicle, for my rather petite wife, my young son and my aging parents.

Because my wife would be intimidated about driving a truck.

Because a car-based, FWD-based UV is more space-efficient than a truck-based UV. The crossover will be lighter than the truck and smaller than the equivalent truck. The crossover (especially if I can get a hybrid model at a price I can afford) will be much more fuel efficient than the truck.

Because I do not need a truck and would much rather drive something I need than something I do not.

Toys4RJill

You mentioned truck so many times GX460 is not a truck?

Then how about a Toyota Sienna minivan?

Aron9000

This. All the Germans sell convertibles. Any type of convertible you want. BMW had 4 not counting Mini, Benz has 3, Audi has choices starting at the $35k A3 up to the $200k R8.

Pretty lame that what Lexus offers is based on a 10 year old car and soon to be discontinued.