UDel

With the new SAE horsepower ratings many Lexus models hp numbers have dropped. The SC430 went from 300 to 288. The new GS430 is still rated at 300hp. I beleive the SC430 and older GS430 were using the same engines tuned about the same for 300hp using the older method. Does this mean the new GS430 did increase in horsepower and is really putting out around 312hp from the older hp rating but rated down to 300 for the new SAE numbers? I may have missed some explanation but it seemed odd to me.

gserep1

I asked in an earlier post myself if the new GS engine was more powerful than the old, but I got no response. I am sure there are a few 06 owners that were previous GS4 owners, and could answer this.

Another question I wanted to ask was about the idle. Many 98-2000 GS4 have an idle problem when the headlights and AC are turned off. Is this a problem with the new engines, or just ours?

I am getting ready to pull the trigger in a new GS430, and it would be nice to know.
Thanks

jrock65

The 2006 GS300 and the GS430 came out in February 2005, before Toyota started to report horsepower figures with the revised SAE standard. So the 245 hp and the 300 hp are figures under the old standard.

Gojirra99

I agree, the GS430 was probably rated under the old SAE standard that the vast majority of the other manufacturers are still using now. Since it's a early 2006 model that came out early this year, I think they will keep the rating the same for all 2006 model year GS until the 07 comes out.

RON430

My 2k1 has never had an idle problem so I can't help with that. I didn't notice your previous post. The 430 is the same and has been for a while. Lexus will definitely up engine the GS but the 430 is used in the SC and the LS. My guess is the GS, you cannot up engine the GS3 which is woefully behind the competition, including Toyota, will not get up engined until the new LS comes out and then the V8 and the GS3 will get up engined.

The new GS430 does not feel as quick as my car and the magazine numbers verify this. Could be a lot of things but engine management might be the biggest issue. I drive is rightly condemned as horrible but Toyota's various engine management tricks are not going to wind up with a performance car under any circumstances. And that is the reason why I have little interest in replacing either of the two GSs I currently own with one of the new models. Too many categories with no improvement and not enough improvement in other categories to offset the steps backward. You know you are going to get good reliability. Decide everything else for yourself. If it were me, I would at least wait for the new engines. One thing you are guaranteed is that when the new engines arrive, the resale on the GS you own is going to take an even bigger hit.

chuckb

I know one thing that is slowing down the new GS430, and that's these heavy 18s. I drove an 06 430 and thought it felt the same if not slower than my 430. when I put the 06 18s on my car, it felt like it lost at least a tenth or so in 1/4 mile

Vladi

It's probably the old SAE rating method.

I have some news about GS450h horespower from Frankfurt though. It's 210KW (286hp) 3.5V6 plus 140KW electrical motor. Don't know about the combined HPs but it sounds good.

spwolf

actually, I would not be so sure about old sae... reason I say this is because of Avalon's GR engine drop for 12hp, down to 268... BUT at the same time, new testing was with 87 octane fuel as supposed to 91 premium used before, which can easily account for 12hp...

and also, if 2.5GR has 204hp, then 3.0GR with everything else being the same will have... 244.8 HP :-).