biker

That was my theory. Of course many folks who are pushing the GS350 theory are also saying GS460 which doesn't seem to be happening.

biker

Maybe like with the G35 it will take a bit of time for Nissan to about the MT. I am really surprised that they don't have the MT in other markets either. The JDM 350GT Fuga is available with AT only - even the Sport model.

BrickHead

Are you guys suggesting that it will be sold as GS300 for a few months then GS350 starting in august 2005?

flipside909

No. But if the GS will switch to the 3.5L V6, you wont see it until late 2006 as a 2007 model or even late in 2007 as a 2008. The GS300 is coming in March 2005 for the US as well as the GS430. The GS450h will join the lineup in August 2006.

flipside909

That is correct.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Maybe the 3.5 will be available with AWD only and that's how they'll roll it out?

GS300 RWD
GS350 AWD
GS430 RWD

?

that_guy

I doubt it. They had the GS300 with an AWD at one of the shows.

whitels

Wow! Hope it's true.

biker

They are not going to have 3 engine choices.

flipside909

Unlikely because the literature and info out for the new GS specifically describes the GS300 and GS430 models only. GS300 will have an AWD variant. There's not going to be a GS350 for the US. Even if there is a GS350, you wont see that until a couple years down the road.

biker

Outside of NA its much easier to change configuration cars since there's no real MY per se. If Lexus decides to proceed with GS300 for 06 for NA it will be hard to change that in the middle of MY even if in other markets it will be sold as GS350 (which it certainly looks like in JDM). So unless something drastic happens the GS300 will be around for almost 18 mo before the GS350 comes out in NA - that's a long time to be bashed by other makes with better engine offerings.

flipside909

Well that's why the NA markets get two engine offerings, the 3GR-FSE and the 3UZ-FE. Not just one 2GR-FSE 3.5L V6. If you don't recall, Lexus is not in a HP war with the competitors. It's pretty evident with the conservative numbers they've put out in all of their vehicles from previous years to what's to come. Lexus' philosophy is to produce a worldclass car that has outstanding quality, value and longevity. Not the most HP and displacement to beat it's competitors. Lexus is playing it conservative for a reason, but just because the engine offerings don't best it's competitors doesn't mean it's no good or doesn't perform.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah they did, but they lifted that rule already like MPLexus301 said. that's why you started to see cars with more than 300hp in japan (i forgot who was the first, skyline?)

LexFather

The new BMW I-6 will be a 3.0 liter unit. Yes everyone else is going with their own 3.5 unit ala Nissan but I am sure Lexus knows what they are doing.

biker

Yeah, but even that will be rated at 255HP and with at least 200-300lb advantage I'm pretty sure the 6AT 530 will be a better performer than the 6AT GS300.