SethNaga

I can’t understand why Lexus has many sedans all with 3.5 L. I mean, they are all luxury models, so what exactly is the differentiation? Is the term 'Entry Level Luxury' is an Oxymoron?

IS 3.5L
ES 3.5
GS 3.5
RC 3.5

Acura is on the other side with a very fewer models.. Lexis is no GM, but GM used to have many different lines before they broke - (GM, Chevrolet, Builk, Cadillac, Saturn, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Hummer etc). Confuses a lot while selecting

brendanf

It is cheaper and easier for Lexus to offer their cars with the same engines across all platforms.. Less parts for them to stock and less engineering required.

SethNaga

Having numerous models make production planning, Inventory decisions much more complex. How is that it is cheaper? As customers do we all see value in these differentiation? or will it make more sense with a fewer models with different trims?

lexusplz

In my opinion, it's just to give people options of the size of the car and style they want to drive with an availability of the 3.5L. IS is the smallest, then ES, and then GS the biggest sedan. RC, I think it's the same size as the GS but in a sport version. I tend to like driving smaller cars but also wants the more horse power which requires a bigger litter tank. When you have a family, you probably want to drive a bigger size sedan. You can tell ES and GS target different people too. ES is more for people 40+ and GS is more for people within the 30 range. I wouldn't want to get the ES next because it doesn't fit my style. Instead, I probably want to get a GS. It would suck if the GS didn't have a 3.5L and forces me to buy a ES to get that bigger horse power.

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

You should take a look at bmwusa.com. Confused enough?
BMW probably has more line of cars than Lexus and Acura combined.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Exactly.

OP go to BMWUSA.com, click on 'Select All', and enjoy.

corradoMR2

You need to understand some history of the Lexus brand. Putting aside the LS,

The ES was Lexus entry-level FWD luxury sedan introduced in 1990.

The next sedan, the mid-luxury RWD GS came in 1993 to compete against the 5-series, E-class, A6, Legend, etc.

RWD IS was introduced in 2001 to compete against the the RWD entry level sedans like the 3-series, A4, C-class, ATS, etc. The ES continues to fulfill the market for those wanting a plush quiet drive over a sporty one.

RC of course was recently introduced to complete against the entry-level luxury coupe market such as the 4-series, A5, C-coupe, ATS coupe, etc.

So each model fills a different market .

Why the 3.5L V6 across all four? 1. It's a robust engine. 2. Economies of scale. The IS/RC/GS have Direct and Port injection giving it the 306-311 hp, while the port-injected version produces 268 in the ES.

As dojoman stated, BMW has more variations of the same platforms with essentially the same 2L 3cyl Turbo or 3L Turbo V6 engine.

peteharvey

That means the same 3.5L V6 on four different body styles:
IS = Compact Premium
ES = Midsize Entry Level
GS = Midsize Premium
RC = Compact Coupe Premium
Also RX = Midsize Crossover Entry Level

Where:
Entry Level = [indirect port injection, 6 speed auto, front drive, Mac Pherson strut simple lower link suspension]
Premium = [direct injection, 8 speed auto, rear drive, complex multilink suspension, aluminium components eg suspension arms & bonnet etc]

Likewise, the same IS compact premium body style comes in a variety of different engines too:
IS200t = 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo
IS300h = 2.5L 4 cylinder gasoline-electric hybrid [for economy]
IS350 = 3.5L V6

Also worth mentioning the discontinued engine variants:
IS200 = 2.0L in-line six
IS200d 2.2 = 2.2L 4 cylinder diesel [Europe] for economy
IS220d = 2.2L 4 cylinder diesel [Europe]
IS250 = 2.5L V6
IS300 = 3.0L in-line six.
IS300 = 3.0L V6
IS F = 5.0L V8 Sports Suspension
.

SethNaga

Very interesting to read. Thank you for the education. I have couple of questions

Why the more expensive RC 350 F Sport AWD has 6 speed Gear box while its brother RC 350 F Sport RWD as 8 speed?
CVT transmission - is this considered Quality? Which cars have them?

Thanks again

JDR76

The AWD models of the IS, GS, and RC have the 6 speed because the larger 8 speed transmission does not fit along with the AWD hardware.

The Lexus models with CVTs are the hybrids.

tea

toyota also uses a few of the 3.5 variations

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

2grfe, Camry/Sienna/Highlander/Avalon/ES350/RX350

A bunch of the RWD platformed motor GS/IS, are the basic block for some of the Tacoma/truck products last I recalled reading.

peteharvey

As stated above, the RC350 RWD and GS350 RWD uses the 8 speed tranny, while the RC350 and GS350 AWD's use 6 speed trannies due to space restrictions.
In the full size LS, whether you use RWD or AWD, both use 8 speed trannies due to the space that the full size LS affords.

Conventional CVT's use two pulleys and a metal belt.



However, Toyota Prius, Camry and Lexus hybrids use a special type of CVT called an eCVT.
The eCVT has NO flimsy belts at all!
Instead it uses planetary type gears similar to traditional auto trannies.
This planetary gear set is combined with two electric motors.
The eCVT is much more quality than traditional CVT's with pulleys and belts.
The eCVT cleverly generates continuously variable gear ratios by cleverly varying the ratio of the speeds between the: engine, 1st and 2nd electric motor complex.

LexusFirst

It is somewhat about the marketing. It might not be cheaper. Car companies can increase sale easier by numerous models than numerous of trims. The benefit of sale increase can compensate the higher cost. When customer don't like a model, they will not buy it no matter how good the upper trim is. When customer like one model, they might buy it even only the lowest trim is available.
This is the same reason GM had made a lot of sub-brands. However, having too many sub-brands or models are also a problem. Toyota has been doing good recently compared to GM. I do not have data to back up, but I don't think any GM sub-brands' sale come close to Lexus considering Toyota have much fewer sub-brands and Lexus is second largest sub-brand of Toyota.

MWIS350

2006-2016 IS350, RC350 and GS350 have the same 3.5L engine 306 HP. They used same engine because it's cheaper and they are reliable. Why build new engine?