pmonag

I know that the IS horsepower ratings are based on the new SAE protocol - does this also apply to torque ratings? ie. if torque is 184 on SAE system does this mean it's closer to 200-210 on the old system? Also, in comparing the IS 250 AWD to other cars - say for instance the G35 AWD, are we comparing apples with apples(ie. is 280 hp/270 lb-ft torque for the G35x based on the SAE ratings or the old ratings)? Thanks in advance.

05RollaXRS

Not too sure about the ratings, but I did read an interview with the Chief Engineer of IS 250/350 and he said that they were rated initially at 220 HP (IS250) and 320 HP (IS350) before they got retested with the new SAE protocol and resulted in drop in HP.

United #10

I found this diagram from Lexus jp.

pmonag

Thanks for the replies - anybody know if Infiniti's numbers are based on the new or old system?

05RollaXRS

Acurás number are based on the new SAE standards (TL: 255 HP etc.) Infinit/Nissan's numbers are based on the old SAE standards. G35's 298 HP should be more like ~ 270 HP with the new standards. (considering the minimum 15% powertrain loss and that they dyno at 230 whp or so).

pmonag

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Seems like Infiniti's numbers are misleading because they aren't based on the new standard. Just want to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples.

suprabob

Just dyno your car and find out.

jlin101

There may not be that big a drop. Acura RL went from 300 to 290 and Lexus's 430 dropped 12 hp for both LS and SC. So G35 may still be in the 280's (of course that's only with 6MT; with 5AT it will be about 270).

jlin101

yes the torque number decreases a little under the new SAE standard--just look at Lexus's own specs on RX, LS and SC. The difference is not that big, though.

jlin101

my dealer told me that the technology in IS350's V6 (VVTi +dual direct injection) will be applied to the new 4.6 V8 for 2007 GS and LS, at about 360hp (that sounds low to me; it ought to be close to 400 if the engine is based on IS350's V6. Maybe it's geared more for torque).

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm, I am not sure why you would want to compare the two powerwise.

The numbers may be off, but even if the G35x was rated under the new SAE rules, it would still have 60HP+ more than the New IS250 AWD.

204 vs 280 is bad. 204 vs 265 is still bad

I would compare the two on looks, ride comfort and luxury.

mkaresh

The numbers do not necessarily go down. For Honda and Toyota they've gone down, but for GM and Ford they've actually gone up a bit in a few cases. It depends on how conservative Nissan's testing policies were. What the new standards do is remove some loopholes, and not everyone was exploiting these loopholes.

It is quite likely, though, that Nissan's numbers will drop, as otherwise they'd just go ahead and switch. Ditto for Chrysler. A friend who does engine testing at an automaker told me a year or so ago that Honda, Toyota, and Chrysler engines weren't putting out what they were supposed to. Ford, on the other hand, has been very conservative in its procedures ever since the Mustang Cobra mess a few years ago.

Finally, I've driven the IS 250. There's not much torque there, regardless of the numbers.

tigmd99

Probably true...but not necessary. GM old ratings are actually right on target with the new SAE ratings...in fact, on a few of the engines, the old ratings are LOWER than the new ratings.

I did some reading into this...check it out:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=13809

jrock65

The only Infiniti to be tested under the new SAE so far is the 2006 FX45, and horsepower went up to 320 hp (the 2005 FX45 (old SAE) had 315 hp).

spwolf

actually, most ppl that post this dont understand that Toyota tested all of their cars with 87 octane fuel, which is reason for most of the drops, because before cars were tested using Premium fuel. This is not defined in SAE testing procedures, just what Toyota wanted to do to clear things up due to a lot of people using 87. Most other manufacturers still test with higher octane fuel (for example Honda on new SI) even though if they "reccomend" 87.

This is the reason for any of GR series engines dropping, such as 4Runner (which "required" premium before 2006), or Avalon (same thing), and probably had a lot to do with Camry's drop - for example Camry V6 SE engine dropped from 225 to 210 on 87 octane, while ES330 dropped to 218 on Premium. Both were rated the same previously at 225hp.

On the other side, I believe GM did not test all of their engines, just ones that they felt were good for them and Ford certainly didnt test theirs and specifically said that they dont care.

I think Toyota did the right thing, right away, because as much as I know, it is only manufacturer that tested all of their cars and with reccomended fuel.