Yea. I don't expect Lexus to launch a GS-F or whatever that would destroy the E63 AMG or M5 in every aspect on the 1st gen. model.

0-60mph in 4.5 is hard to beat......

Did anyone notice that Lexus hasn't released a single turbocharged vehicle yet?

 

How do you think they are wrong, This came straight from a factory conference call. Explain yourself! Or are you the president of Lexus's marketing division.

 

It better be on par or exceed BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Cadillac V, Audi S, Jaguar R, in performance and handeling or else the "F" will stand for failure.

 

Agreed, this is a crucial time for Lexus who is trying to have a sportier and less "vanilla" image. If they make a performance car that isn't at least on par with an MB or Audi performance model, it is going to hurt them. Toyota/Lexus has the engineering prowess to make a GS or IS run to 60 in 4.5. They should have learned a lot from competing in various motorsport leagues around the world... not to mention F1... and they own a stake of Yamaha who's speciality is high-output engines.

What were they thinking with L-Tuned the first time around? They made some gorgeous aero kits and wheels... but they tried to market it like a real performance line of mods comparable to BMW Motorsport or AMG.

 

Put twin turbochargers in the IS and GS. Let's see what happens.

 

For now I don't really consider Caddy's V Series or Jaguar's R cars to be credible entrants here. The supercharged XJR makes just ten more horsepower than the LS460, and really isn't significantly faster in a straight line. CTS-V never really matched up to the M3, and certainly not the RS4 or C55, and the STS-V is similarly "blah". Next generation could be better for Caddy as I've heard rumors of the 6.0L V8, but who knows.

For now, Lexus needs to focus on AMG, M, and RS.

 

I'll still lust after M cars if they are the only ones offering true manual gearboxes.

 

If the Lexus cars do get the 5.0L+ V8 treatment, they better not just be a straight line monster, otherwise it'll be considered a failure against the BMW M-division and mercedes' AMG.

 

The AMG cars, while still capable in the bends, are more about straight line power. M cars do beautifully in both, but I see Lexus going more for the AMG approach.

 

I think of AMG cars as cars that could handle, but with more punch than BMW's M-series

 

Well they waited to release the manuals for the M5 and M6.

Lexus might do the same after they test the waters with the auto trannies.

 

Don't count on it

I think if they develop their own version of DSG, that's probably the best you can reasonably hope for . . .

 

Have you driven a REALLY fast car with a manual transmission? It's easy to lose a LOT of power and time shifting. To do it fast AND smoothly while driving hard is almost impossible. It's usually quite jerky. Certainly gets your attention.

More and more cars are getting 400+HP and fewer and fewer people can handle them with manual transmissions. They will continue to be offered on those brands that have die-hard performance fans, but I think Lexus is unlikely to offer true manuals on very powerful cars.

 

I doubt that lexus will do it the "right" way but hey...anything is possible.

 

A friend of mine has a deposit on the new 5L IS, he reports that the deposit is for an IS-F and the car is due in April/May. We shall see.