who knows, but right now there 2 rumors in BestCar - and BestCar is usually correct on these things - one is 2.5t is coming next year to ES in Japan, and another is that lots of smaller cars will get GRMN version with 1.6l turbo with 240hp.

They were also first to talk about 3.5tt engine in new LS and also last year first to talk about 4.0tt V8 with over 600hp.

I am not so sure than 3.5l V6 is going to go away so easily, not sure that another NA version can be much better than it and only market for NA V6 is NA.

 

Actually, the LS350 is available in most of the emerging markets but not NA. Then there are also the RX350 and GS350 available in several countries outside the NA.

 

You really have no idea if or when or how a new engine will arrive. Not everything follows logic. Example is of the 05 Avalon with the 3.5/5 speed while the Camry and ES where using the 3.3 until model year 07 when finally the ES and Camry caught up to the Avalon engine, but that is not the whole story, the Avalon still used a 5 speed while the Camry and ES debuted with 6 speeds. Other examples of Toyota doing strange and odd stuff are over the line up, the 05 LX/LC 4.7 never go any updates with the Sequoia, GX, Tundra and 4Runner all received the updates. The current engine in the Avalon is a new engine.

 

well LS350 is there to be cheaper option, and it would be taxed cheaper if it was 2.5l in most of those cases...

 

What I should have said is it "could" be a v6. like many have said my guess is NA version of the V35A or it could be 3.0 liter turbo v6. Just my speculation.

 

Of course I don't know. Who said I knew? This is all speculations. Just like you really have no idea if they will ever add AWD or a new engine to the ES either.

Secondly - back in the day - the ES was based on the Camry strictly. The Camry changed first then the Lexus ES. This is why the Avalon had nothing to do with them and had a difference engine/transmission. Its only today - that Toyota moved the ES up a size and its more strictly following the Avalon (same wheel-base).

The current engine (2GR-FKS) in the new Avalon is only a new engine for the car, not a new engine in general. Similarity - its a new engine for the Camry, ES, IS350, and RC350.
2GR-FKS debuted in GS/RX in 2016. There will probably be a new engine introduced into the GS/RX when they are changed into the new generation. This means, the rest of the cars will have to wait a couple years to get the new engine after the RX/GS to be introduced with the new engine. These are the few reasons why I think the Camry, Avalon and ES won't get an engine change this generation. The only reason, in my head, that people are thinking some radical is happening to the ES is because the rumors of the axed GS. No one had these AWD and insane engine changes for the ES back in 6th Gen.

I think as car enthusiasts, we want the Lexus ES to do well and get the AWD/more powerful engine. But we have to remember, this is a Lexus ES. This was never made to "wow" anybody. It was made to cater to the masses. I feel like, on the business side of things, the Lexus ES doesn't need any more power upgrades or AWD change this generation to justify its sales. The sales are going to be through the roof once it goes on sale.

 

The 2015 GS used the 2GR-FSE and the 2015 RX used the 2GR-FE.

The 2GR-FKS debuted in the 2016 GS, 2016 RX and the 2016 Tacoma.

 

Thanks for the correction. I have edited my post to reflect this.

 

sure, but considering Japanese mags are saying it is 2.5t, it makes sense... that engine is needed for many of their vehicles in China, Japan and Russia.
I think they will simply skip 3.0t engine completely and show this new 3.5tt into everything next gen, with base 3.5l V6 or 2.5t being there for base cost reasons.

Whole point of their new TNGA powertrains is to simplify the number of powertrains offered, which saves on cost but also lets them offer more for less... like new Corolla that is for the first time in the history a global platform, and loaded with features from advanced powertrains to interior options, and yet pricing stays similar to before.

 

Well - just because it makes sense it doesn't mean its accurate. The Japanese Mag is saying 2.5T, doesn't mean it'll ever happen. They are literally speculating on an engine change for a car that isn't even on sale yet. Its getting little ahead of themselves.

Besides - the new Corolla (I assume you are talking about the Hatch-Back) isn't loaded with features nor that advance relative to the pricing. Its more advance than its previous Corolla by a few features (pretty much trickle-down and all newer cars will be a bit more advance but the price will adjust to that.)
The Hatch-Back will start at 19.9K base.
The Corolla iM (which is pretty much the old HatchBack) starts at 18.8K base.

The new Corolla Hatch-Back (iM) will have a 1.1K price tag increase and will barely have much new standard equipment.
The new Hatch-Back will be standard with:
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...-pricing-msrp/
And that's with a 19.9K base price (excluding destination). The Corolla Hatch-Back XSE with CVT and Navigation package brings it to $26,610 with destination. (And according to Sofyan from Redline Reviews - the XSE trim will not have blind-spot warning. He could be wrong - not sure.)
All Toyota has done with the Hatch-Back was bring their Corolla name-plate closer to the pricing of the Civic Touring, which is 27K. I wouldn't call this cheaper, at all by any means. Its a 26.6K Corolla. That's pretty pricey for a Corolla, in my opinion. So, yeah, the TNGA platform did help them cut cost and prevent the cars from getting more expensive. However - they are not really offering more for less. Its still relative to the price.

 

Did you actually read the article? As usual, your conclusion is different from the article itself, so maybe you should try finding some other article that agrees with you.
Also did you compare what you get in old vehicle vs new one?

As to the Touring, it is 29645... thats full 3k more than loaded Corolla you mentioned - XSE is 24k with CVT and you added package with 800w system, factory nav and other goodies. Plus it gets full 4 MPG more on highway, not bad.

 

I did read the article. The point of the article was show proof of the Hatch-Back base price of 19.9K and the other prices. So my conclusion is relevant to the article because I was just showing price.

I stated:
I clearly stated the Corolla Hatch-Back with CVT and Navigation package brings it to $26,610 with destination. I never stated the base XSE price.
Base XSE: $24,090
Navi Pack: $1,600
Destination: $920
Total: $26,610

You are also incorrect about the Civic Touring price:
https://automobiles.honda.com/civic-sedan?#build-price
Base Touring with CVT starts at: $26,800
Wireless charging: $305
Destination: $895
Total: $28,000
Which is exactly 2.6K more than the new Corolla XSE Hatch-Back with CVT and Navigation pack.

Second - according to the picture you posted - the Hatch-Back XSE CVT gets a rated MPG of 30/38/33. The Civic Touring gets a rated MPG of 32/42/36. The Civic's MPG is clearly better. So the Corolla Hatch XSE CVT is not a whole 4 MPG highway better.

My point is that the Corolla XSE Hatch-Back is still relatively expensive. But I also said I agreed that its cheaper than what it could have been due to the TNGA platform.
As I stated below:

 

 

Switching gears....
Right now in L.A., the ES is leasing for $339/mo with 4k down. When the new one arrives this Fall, you can bet the monthly will jump about $75/100. I'd estimate it will take about one year before it drops back down to lower levels when hype calms down. Then we have a slowly climbing interest rate, which could keep things on the higher side. The best ES deals were two years ago when most dealers were advertising $299/mo with $3k down. That was a steal.
Thinking back to past Lexus ES and IS releases, where there ever really any shortages of cars? I do not recall a time, other than just the normal "gotta have the new model" thing for about a year after initial release. Lexus seems to always supply it's dealers with a good amount of bread and butter sedans. *Discuss*

 

If the Camry is any indication, Lexus will throw good incentives on it to drive sales. If it was the new UX, I can see it selling at or near MSRP or less deals to be had in this SUV environment. I wouldn't be surprised if the new ES will lease for no more than $350-$379 a month with $4k down.