while modern v6's may equal or surpass power of older v8's, they aren't even close in terms or smoothness or low end responsiveness. in similar fashion a v12 is smoother and even more responsive than a v8, although not many of them offered now.

good point.

i agree it's not about numbers, but even with similar numbers there's a HUGE difference in the way a v6 vs. v8 DRIVES.

i disagree. i'd bet more than 50% of those 70-90k cars are LEASED and often by people who can't really afford them. they're exactly the right target for more 'poser-ish' vehicles.

not just gas prices, of course many places there increase the tax and registration for cars based on engine size or number of cylinders, in more of the same 'soak the rich' mentality.

i think we're headed that way globally more and more. the high end cars won't die off completely, but fewer and fewer will be able to afford them, and most of them will be leased.

i agree. i'd say almost certainly, since bmw, porsche, mercedes are all doing it. besides they pretty much HAVE to do it because of draconian epa reg deadlines looming.

ah, same thought.

well you read wrong.

government gun to their heads and global recession (linked by the way), that's why.



define 'old' plus, a lot of 'old' people tend to be more frugal (diff. generation) even relatively when buying luxury items.

 

Well the gap between the 2GR-FSE and the last non-vvti 1UZ was only 10 years so I say it's not too bad .

Henry, transmission is everything. It's between the engine and the wheels and it's the reason why you have torque at the wheel. The gears multiple the engine torque at the expense of RPM, but given enough gears, the driver may not even notice it. There is a reason why the LS430 is faster/quicker than the Q45 even though the LS engine was at a big disadvantage in both horsepower and torque. It simply had more torque at the wheel, where it actually matters, not the engine.

Well what if Toyota released a 3.8L V6 that is more powerful than the former 1uz-fe (vvti) in both hp and low end torque? Would you support that? Or because the cylinder count is not 8; it's discredited despite its performance?

I know a lot of this has to do with ego because it's hard to see a flagship model with anything less than 8 cylinders, but times have changed. We thought we would never see a performance oriented car (ISF) or an exotic (LFA), nor have we ever thought we'd see a 4cyl-anything in a car badged with a Lexus emblem. I wouldn't mind seeing the LS as a V8-only model, but can say this: I would not surprised if a V6 LS surfaced. Yes the LS is a big and heavy vehicle, which is why if they ever throw in a V6, I want to see at least 3.8L.

 

I don't agree. You make a valid point that 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder variants of larger vehicles don't always translate to more MPGs. However, a V8 today is more than capable. A 6 is more than capable. You're not comparing a small engine in a big vehicle that will have to work hard and sacrafice efficieny to accelerate. The efficiency between an 8 and a 6 in a large vehicle will likely be more pronounced than a 4 and a 6. Take the CTS for example. 8 cylinders: 12/18. 6 cylinder (3.6L): 18/27. Or the Panamera. 8 cylinders:16/24. 6 cylinders: 18/27.

 

that's what i keep on say, it's not the number, it's performance. that's why i am not opposed to v6 hybrid or FI, something that will boost the performance to make things more reasonable on such a big heavy car. your "if" statement, we will see if it actually happens and how it performs overall. keep in mind, cars are just getting heavier and heavier and more and more power / tq are required to give it the kind of smoothness we need in such a big car. simply state, as fast as the gs350 it is now, it's not match to gs460 or gs450h in terms of smoothness and pick up speed. that's enough for me to make the decision on what i think should and should not go on a flahship sedan

 

V-6, some crazed car nut will drop in a 2JZ to have a screamer. BOV from an LS "460" hahaha...

 

I really like what MB did offering a V6 hybrid S class. Their 6 cylinders are weak though. Lexus could do a much better job in the LS.

 

NVH. If the V6 has to rev higher to move a flagship vehicle where the predominant demographic buyer wants a quiet, smooth, easy-working powerplant, then its no good.

 

I agree on this one. In a larger luxury sedan, even coupe, you don't need a V8, but I'd like to see it with one. I don't think the LS needs or should have a V6 option unless that V6 is the hybrid option. This is a bit odd for me to have this point of view since I'm more a high revving high stung engine kind of guy. I don't need the whisper quiet cabin or isolated driving, but that is also why I didn't have my LS for long. In the end, performance is really all I care about so whatever works is good enough, but a top of the line flagship should not be about what works but what is overkill.

 

Compared to a V10, a V8 can be noisy and unrefined

Toyota is pretty good at isolating engine noise from the cabin so even if the LS had a Harley Davidson V-Twin under the hood, the driver probably wouldn't even hear it.