Who else in the segment has a base V8 TT now? The answer is nobody. EVERYBODY now offers a T 6 cyl as standard.

 

I don't know, who? I never mentioned that. I said more engine choices to be considered in the same tier.

 

It is important to have a V8 TT "halo" flagship, but it even more important to get the basic styling right; for example, the new LC coupe draws no links with an Infinity for styling whatsoever.

 

5.1s 0-60 is pretty weak

i like the origami door inserts though

 

Okay Steve, I meant base V8tt that is not buried in the sports model. That's what I meant. Like the S560 or A8 4.0t.

But, they priced it right and leaves them enough room to add one without being outrageous.

I can see a V8tt starting $85-$89k. It doesn't have to sell a lot (and it probably won't) but it moves the benchmark for the entire brand up one more notch imo and that's good as a whole.

 

Lexus says 4.5 I believe, not sure where 5.1 came from.

 

If came from one of the videos.

 

But will they add a V8tt, even though all of the cards are right and the timing is perfect? I bet no unfortunately.

Lexus has and always will be just too conservative.

They've endured based on their reliability angle, but how much longer can that last, especially if perception and reality start to diverge?

 

I think they will add a TTV8 in an LS-F model. That engine would replace the 5.0 V8 currently in the LC, GS-F and RC-F

 

Well, reality is that a lot of car-buyers WANT reliability....that's not a perception, but a fact. The reliability formula, from Lexus, has not succeeded all these years just because of co-incidence....and, no, it's not going away anytime soon.

 

Back in 1989, Lexus were successful with the bread & butter 4.0 V8; Lexus had no LS500 V10 nor LS600 V12 unlike Benz & Beamer who did have S600L's & 750iL's etc.

Today, the standard motor for economy & emissions is the small capacity V6 TT, so IMO I don't believe a V8 TT non-sports, nor a V8 TT halo model are that crucial.

However, I do believe they must get right the: styling, space, with reasonable levels of performance, economy, braking, handling, comfort, refinement, equipment, safety & value.

Lexus best use firm suspension on the F Sport model, but this will only sell in niche volumes.
The important point is that hopefully, Pres Akio hasn't ordered firm suspension as standard fitment across the LS range.
In other words, LS500 should have at least two suspension calibrations - a soft setup for the volume selling bread & butter luxury model, and a firmer setup for the low volume niche F Sport model.

 

"Endured" lol. The always top 3, usually top 2, sometimes #1 Lexus has "endured".

As for suspension, car has AVS as standard which is good, helps get good handling without big sacrifices in ride comfort.

 

5.1 seconds was the hybrid model

 

AVS is only the dampers to control float.
We must have two different sets of coils springs to control pitch & roll for the luxury & sports model too.

Come to think of it, air springs are actually electronically variable in spring rates, so this can theoretically deliver the best of both worlds for LS.
Does LS500 have air springs as standard or optional?

 

Optional air suspensions. I'd suggest watching the videos.