as much as I ragged on American cars and their lame engine designs (Hemi / Pushrods etc), the North Star was AWESOME, dual over head cam, V8 power! My entire family thought that was the gem of the whole company, the LSx never impressed us (family of engineers).

That is pathetic they won't continue it, its their halo engine IMHO.

 

Which is why I said it took awhile for Lexus to get to the new 4.6L V8. It would be a waste to design a completely new platform for every model, hence why Infiniti continue to use the VQ-series instead of making a new engine. I dont think I have ever seen a manufacture change engine platform every 4-5 years.

As long as the VQ-series work in the G-series, Infiniti is going to stick to it.

 

You have the G37 coupe, which is rated at 18/24
You have the M35, which is 16/23
You have Acura RL which is 16/24

Keep in mind, all of these cars are much lighter, way less powerful, and have smaller displacement V6. I'm sure there are plenty of Ford, Chrysler, and GM V6 engines that are even worse.

 

I agree. People are reading way too much into this.

 

Only V6's with a 90-degree cylinder bank had the NVH problem (the 3.8L GM Buick-designed V6, which goes back to the 1960's, is probably the best example), but even that engine was tamed long ago. In my experience, today's V6s are, for the most part, as smooth as V8s. Some in-line fours, though, especially the GM Ecotec Four used in its compacts and mid-sided cars, still have some NVH problems.

 

Ive said it elsewhere, but I really like what Subaru is doing with SI drive. So you can pick the kind of engine you wanted. This would take some engineering and would make having a V8 almost pointless, but it would be cool if you one day choose if you wanted your vehicle to run in 4, 6, or 8 cylinder mode. So if gas prices were really high you can choose 4 cylinder. But then again, it would be like having a car with a turbo and always staying out of boost. Just I thought I had.

 

They somewhat have this in some engines (the whole shutting off cylinders thing). But you can't choose when you want to run on half the cylinders (I think).

 

In my opinion there is nothing like the wonderful sound of a Blitz, Tanabe or any hi quality exhaust for the Lexus V8 which can only be replicated WITH a V8, not a V6. To me, that is one reason I choose V8's. Its my opinion which means nothing..

 

What is so awesome about the Northstar?

 

Well in a FWD '95 Aurora it performed very well. Haven't driven a new Northstar. But I loved the few times I got to drive this V8. And I've never heard a more beautiful engine note than this car. I can recall, even my mom loved to floor it. This was also the first car that we had that featured an engine that was quiet at cruising speeds.


No you can't chose. And frankly Im surprised that Lexus isn't all over active fuel management technology.

 

Good point, but the difference between SI-Drive and a real V8 is that the SI-drive really stresses the boxer-four out to give you that kind of response. A real V8 can provide that torque at a much lower.....and less stressful....throttle setting.

 

any v6 with 90 degree cylinder bank should have this problem. the magic number for a v6 should be 60 degrees. the reason why there are v6 90 degrees is because of cost-savings (chopping off 2 cylinders from a v8).

the chevy small block, however, is a timeless design. there are a few shortcomings, but nothing that makes it handicapped.

 

Well, you've listed 2 that are the same and one that gets 1 MPG less on the highway. I would hardly call that "a lot". But, I agree with you about the LS460, and have to wonder, how does it weigh 4,400 LBS, have a 380 HP V8, yet, still be able to get the gas mileage that it does. IOW, what is Lexus doing that Infiniti can't do?

 

I'm sure the 8 speed transmission helps. Also, the LS460 is probably tuned a lot less aggressively than something like the G37

 

I am not saying that the v6 is no good but if you want to be taken seriously GM should have a 400hp V8 DOHC engine in their lineup. Yes the v6 is good but I still think that a high speeds you will not be able to outperform a good v8.