Hey Guys/ Gals,

I work in the Automotive Industry (JM&A Group sister company of Southeast Toyota Distributors) and get the Automotive News quite often. In a recent issues it stated that Lexus is in the process of patenting the "GS460 and "GS350" name plates.

Seems like there will be new developments in the next 24 months.. Possibly a new higher output 4.5 L V8 as well as more refined V6 that will have more improvments than even the new V6 in the '06 GS3.

I will let you guys know as I know more..

Stay tuned..

Theo

 

Thanks Theo, we've discusses plenty already.

 

Sorry Sick.. I guess I am just johnny come lately..

 

Oh no problem at all, any info is appreciated. Here is one thread we are talking about
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=147930
the new 450h.

What is at odds is, we say the 450h will be a hybrid 3.5 V-6, some mags are reporting it will be a new V-8 with hybrid power. But with a GS 460 also trademarked, what would that be? Or is that just there to throw people off?

 

Toyota is very good at throwing curveballs into the mix. That's why there's so much speculation out there. It's most feasible to see a 3.5L V6 2GR version of a GS hybrid but with V8 power. I think that's where most publications have it confused, the V8 power in a hybrid powerplant.

 

You can't patent a name, you can trademark it, though, which is what I'm sure you mean. May not seem like much of a difference, but it really is.
Both patents and trademarks (and registered copyrights, though you don't need to register a copyright to get protection on it) are done through the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

 

I drove the GS300 AWD today for about 20 minutes. I have some preplanned test drive routes and I used one that had some "twisties". I will post my impressions on a fresh thread but I must make it clear that the 3rd Gen GS300 is unlike any previous Lexus including the IS300.

I had a small chat with my Rep whose car I "borrowed". I learned some answers to our speculation regarding future models. It has not been determined when but the GS350 will eventually replace this version that I drove today. The new IS350 which is due in October of this year will outperform everything but the GS430. The IS is a 3 series contender and as such will be offered in bulk in the IS250 RWD, AWD, and 6 speed manual RWD. This will be a very likeable and entry level car for Lexus. What I couldn't get out of my mind is why Lexus would go to all of the trouble to engineer this new all aluminum, intake and exhaust valve variable timing, 11.5 to 1 compression engine with direct fuel injection and then make it obsolete on the GS in a year or so. Since Denny Clements has stated that Lexus will offer more variants more often this new philosophy will be evident during the next two years. We have had essentially the same GS300/430 design since the Spring of '98. Lexus has been accused of being too conservative in the past but once you drive the new GS you will wonder if the management went out and drank a lot of Sake and decided to prove to the world that they know how to make an exciting and worthy opponent to BMW. This new 3.0 V6 is very impressive yet it is just the first of a new quiver of high performance engines from Lexus. Next comes the 3.5 liter developing between 310 to 320 HP! That of course trumps the HP of the 4.3 V8 but not the torque. With its power/weight ratio sitting in the IS chassis that will be an instant racing success and we already know that they're going to take it to the track. The GS crowd will want one of their own and Lexus will produce it by popular demand. The next shoe to drop around May of '06 will be the introduction of the world's first high performance hybrid, the GS450h. It will take the 3.5 liter V6 and add a powerful electric motor/generator. This will dethrone the GS430 from the high performance podium of Lexus. At the moment it outperforms every other car in its category. Will it continue to be necessary to make a V8 GS? Probably not but for those of you who cannot find a performance substitute for Cubic Centimeters they will produce a 4.6 liter V8 GS460 that will blow the doors off of the 5 liter Eurocars.
I will close by saying that the 3.0 I drove today will at some point be found in an IS series or otherwise it will be a shame to only have it around to play with for a year or so.

 

I really hope that I don't get another call for this...

Anyway, expect 280 or 285HP and 260 or 265lb-ft in the GS350. The GS460 should be pushing about 345 or 350HP and around 370lb-ft of torque.

I reeeeallly hope I don't get in trouble for that.

 

Hate to say we warned you a while back about your speculative posts.

But if you're so worried about it, why did you even bother to post those numbers above?

 

Because I was told that they were within five horsepower and five pound feet of being accurate

 

So if it's even close, why are you still bragging about it and "sharing" info?

 

You never called me back. Call me. or PM me.

 

Let me tell you guys on CL. I've seen this stuff in writing furnished by Lexus as the source not some magazine hack or other auto spy. The 3.5 V6 will probably have some detuned versions but I was given the HP numbers on the IS350 by production engineers in the last 30 days and these guys are the real deal and never wrong. The RX350 will follow in March '06 and the all new ES350 in April. Did I forget to mention the SC430 refresh with a new six speed automatic this September? Denny has a lot of Aces up his sleeve for this and next year..........

 

Has it been confirmed if the IS350 will have AWD? I read a while back that the AWD will only be available with the IS250.

When the GS350 replaces the GS300, would the price increase substantially? Any thoughts from the experienced hands?

Interesting how the GS350 will replace, not augment the GS300. Compared with the 5 series approach of 3 engines in the range.

Still need to see the IS to see if its an option, plus of course drive the GS and the IS.

 

The IS350 will be introduced as strictly a RWD. The Geneva announcement will come in early March. I have been able to garner engine and drive architecture but alas no pictures. Lexus security is pretty tight. It is supposed to look somewhat like its older brother the GS. I was very pleased with the performance of the GS300 AWD and can only imagine what more power would bring to the table.....Probably more speeding tickets