DropTopGal

I have been doing some research with hopes to find any leaks of what the 08 IS350 may have in store. We all know that the G37 and 335i have more HP (regardless what they are "officially" rated as) than the IS350. The IS-F is to match up against the new M3. The IS350 will continue to compete with the likes of the G35S, G37 and 335i. In their "persuit of perfection", surely Lexus won't let the competition out do them by 25+ hp. Further, the 2007 saw no increase in hp. Perhaps in 2008, the IS will be tuned to better compete with the competition in terms of hp.
Consider this find....
2GR-FSE
The 2GR-FSE engine used in the 2006 Lexus IS 350 incorporates Toyota's D4-S twin injection system. This system combines gasoline direct injection with traditional port injection. Using direct injection and port injection simultaneously facilitates more precise mixing of air and fuel under low and medium load conditions for greater efficiency, while high load conditions dictate the use of direct injection alone for maximum power. The 2GR-FSE engine is rated at 315 hp (232 kW) at 6400 rpm and 377 N·m (277 ft·lbf) at 4800 rpm. The 2GR-FSE has also been slated for possible use in the upcoming 2008 Toyota Supra (which is speculated to be released October 2007) but tuned to the output of 350 hp (261 kW) at 7000 rpm and 290 ft·lbf (393 N·m) at 5000 rpm.

The 2GR-FSE was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2006 and 2007

If the 08 IS350 comes with a bit more hp/tq, the performance numbers should closely match that of the G37 and 335i (low 5 sec, 103 - 105 trap). Your thoughts?

llamaboiz

Yea i saw that too and at first i thought, oh same engine with more hp but then i started thinking...our 350 engines are pretty tuned as it is so it wont be anything so simple as a bigger MAF/throttle body/injectors/headers... I'm guessing it will be more along the lines of new head*ports*/cams... BUT one can always hope

caudlek

.... correct me if I’m wrong but Lexus rarely changes an engine mid-generation. They seem to mod an engine, or re-design, then run it overseas for a year or two, and introduce it to a new generation car at that point in NA.

Also, the IS-F is going to smoke, so i don't see them modding the present IS V6's upward with that coming in. I was more than surprised to see the 250 with an output in the same range of the previous gen 300 ..... i think that’s an indication of their ultra conservative and precise drive train planning.

I would be shocked to see a change, before the next platform!

KC

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

currently the IS350 redline at 6500, it can easily be raised by messing with the ECU yielding an extra 500-1000 rpm of revs and doing virtually no changes to the engine. VQ35HR (G sedan) already has a redline of 7500, not much place to go if it needs increasing unless it steps over to the VQ37

If anything the IS250 engine should be changed to the IS300 engine from the GS300 (245 hp) before the GS changed over to the GS350

Rickster31

I highly doubt we will see a performance change. From a practical standpoint, it would cost Lexus a lot more money to change the motor components to compete with the G37/335i, and might not yeild a higher amount of sales to make it worth while to mess around with the motor. Generally speaking, companies wont add more HP within the first 3 years of a cars release, this isn't in ALL cases, but in most.

Maybe in 2009 you'll see a 7k redline 320hp IS350, but I highly doubt anything for 2008 will change unless it's some minor cosmetic changes.

Batmobile

iTrader: (2)

it's still too early... but lexus does change their engines at times... for example the SC's came out in 92, they didn't get the vvti engine's until 98. difference was 265hp - 290hp...may be the same for the IS one day.

so smoke all the G's now while you can.

jdanon

Also consider that Lexus does not sell many IS350s. Seems like the 250s with a lot less power outnumber the more powerful 350 by 5 to 1 just based on my pure observation. Of course one of the reasons is because they don't make as many 350s, but still it seems unlikely they would change the engine. There would be no economic benefit, in fact it would probably hurt them more than anything.

sirkfc

Lexus and Infiniti already escalated this "arms race" by having 300hp engines on their small sedans, forcing BMW to ditch its new magnesium 3.0L 255HP engine after just one year in the 330i, and leaving Audi's 3.1L FSI in the dust. Lexus would be on dangerous ground, upping the stakes another 20HP. There would be no point really. On paper, 306HP is already more than the 300HP that BMW claims, and most consumers won't know the BMW actually generates a lot more than that... No need to do something until BMW escalates it. Let Infiniti continue to show that they are the value play. Lexus probably feels like it's in a sweet spot right now...

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

But the IS350 is a "halo" car in terms of the Lexus performance capabilities for an entry level car, just like how the 3-Series and G35 represents BMW and Infiniti respectively.

If the IS350 gets a change to the engine (which is highly unlikely), it will be beneficial (albeit not profitable) for its image.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

the engine doesnt even have to change parts to gain power, the redline can easily be raised which is already pretty low but the car is still fast @ 6500 rpm. I bet the engine is already built to rev higher.

Acura did the same thing on teh TSX, the K24 is an very powerful engine for a 4 cylinder, for 05 all they did was change the exhaust and intake and it gained 10-15 hp to keep it at 204 SAE instead of 200 non SAE. Car manafacturers like to do this, restrict the engine until it is needed to raise the power and they dont even do any major engine modifications, a setting or a few parts are changed

MR_F1

Maybe they will leave the bump for the model in which an IS coupe comes out?

RocketGuy3

iTrader: (1)

From what I understand, they have already been underrating their engine by about 10 bhp... So they could "increase" the bhp whenever they want without even tuning the engine.

llamaboiz

ROFL that is true. HAHA. Thats what chevy/ford did in the 60's although for different reasons.

Dj_AmtraX

iTrader: (2)

ECU re-flash will up the power if they want to, but I don't think they will.

neova

Keep in mind these are not cheap cars, I would be freaking pissed if I bought a 2006 BMW 330i paying top dollar and only have the model last one year. I feel the same effect would happen if either the IS250/350 were to have a different engine only going into its 3rd year. Besides, having the most HP on paper is just a pissing contest that Lexus isn't interested in with the IS250/350, which is what the IS-F is for (low volume prestige model). Infinity needs to play this angle of HP because it lacks in brand loyalty and reliability ththat Lexus has, and BMW ditched their 1 year old 330i to catch up with the Japanese since the Germans want to retain their "Ultimate Driving Machine" image.

I think the only 2008 changes would be some minor options re-alignment and perhaps they'll allow more flexible availability at various regions, after hearing many complaints at model/options not being available at many areas.