LexFather

We know about the 245hp 3.0 V-6.
We know the GS V-6 in Japan will be the GS 350. We will not get this model this year
We know the GS 430 with 300hp is coming.

Lexus has clearly stated, it intends to go even more head to head with BMW and Benz (no mention of other brands). Lexus understands they have to offer more engine choices. Lexus also has stated they want to do much better in Europe, as Lexus in Europe is basically, lackluster.

The BMW 5 in American offers
The 184hp I-6 525
The 225hp I-6 530
The 325hp V-8 545

The I-6 engines WILL get a bump next year. THe 525 will have about 220hp and the 530 gets bumped in the 250 range or so. BMW offers tons of engine choices in Europe.

Lexus has stated a hybrid is coming in 2006 as a 2007 model. FLipside and I have confirmed this. So could it be
GS 300 245hp
GS 350 290-300hp? (the Avalon with the 3.5 has 280hp, 260lbs torque)
GS 430 300hp or possibly bump in power to 330 range
GS 460h, this name is now registered and will it couple a hybrid V-6 or V-8? I strongly think it will be a hybrid 3.5 V-6.

The IS will have a 3.5 liter option. The IS will also offer AWD and hybrids. So could the GS offer 3 engine choices next year?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i still think lexus will just stick with the 2 engine options for now. i dn't think we will see the 350 here. it doesn't make much sense to me when the 430 is only having about 300hp. if they have a bigger more powerful v8 then we will see. and while lexus says that they will chase after bmw on engine options, i don't think that would be a good move -- yet

and about the hybrid, i think it would be hybrid v6 too. hybrid v8? if anything i think we should see it on the LS first

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

I thought the names trademarked last month were GS 350, GS 460, and GS 450h? Don't remember a GS460h.

I don't think we'll see the GS 300 remain in the lineup when the GS 350 arrives, and I'm pretty sure that the GS 430 will be succeeded by a GS 460.

I think we'll see a 280HP GS 350, a ~350HP GS460, and a 325-335HP GS450h (hybrid V6)

-Michael-

LexFather

I may have made a mistake. Is it 450h? GS 460?

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Yep...it was GS450h and then GS 460. Two seperate trademarks.

biker

This makes the most sense.

fever

What puzzles me is why would someone buy the rwd v8 if the hybrid, awd v-6 will run right with it and kill it in mpg?

I suppose Lexus will offer compeling choices nonetheless.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well, that's why the gs460 is coming. no one knows how good the gs460 is and how fast it will be. maybe it performs even better than the gs450h. that will justify somewhat

biker

A hybrid AWD V6 won't run with the V8 - a large part of the performance gain the electric motor provides is lost because of the added weight. And depending on pricing, most folks would opt for a regular V8 instead of a hybrid V6 (I assume a hybrid V6 AWD will the same price as the V8).