XeroK00L

Sorry this article is a repost from a year ago.

Anyhow, I believe the IS500, if released, will not predate the launch of the LS600h, which will sport that 5.0L V8. Horsepower-wise, it should be at least 380hp x 5L / 4.6L = 413hp.

Gojirra99

You have confirmation somewhere that the LS600H will have the 5 litre engine ?

XeroK00L

Haha, ok ok, or so the rumors say.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

Using current lexus hybrid trends:

RX400h: 3.3l V6 + electric motors
GS450g: 3.5 V6 + electric motors

I would guess the electic motoring will be even more aggressive on the LS600h as the GS450h was a step up in aggressiveness over the RX400h. Hybridization added .7 virtual liter to the RX, added 1.0 virtual liter to the GS450h. According the same trend continues a realistic prediction would be them using the 4.6 liter and having hybridization give it 1.4 virtual liters for the 6.0

IMO a 5.0 V8 + hybridization to get 600h is not impressive since the GS450h basically did the same thing, gain 1.0 virtual liters. LS needs to outdo that

XeroK00L

Haha good analysis but I think the naming is by no means accurate, since like you said the numeric namings of the hybrid models are all based on "virtual", imaginary engines that don't even exist! LS600h gets a "600" in the name only because it sounds good in the face of the S600 and 760Li, not because it really adds one "virtual liter" to the 5.0L. I'm fully expecting the electric motors used in the LS600h to be the most powerful of all Lexus hybrids, outpowering the ones in the GS450h for sure.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

hahaa damn, i hate rumors these days

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Lexus seems to be trademarking their names several months in advance, and as far as I know, IS 250 and IS 350 were the last two that they did for the IS line. I would love to think that there was a higher power IS coming but I guess I just have some trouble believing it. Lexus seems to be turning their performance focus to hybrids, not bigger engines altogether. I would imagine that we'll see a hybrid IS before we do a V8 powered one. On top of that, they won't even give us a manual in the IS 350 when prospective buyers, enthusiasts, and mags alike are all begging for one. What makes you think they would endow a V8 IS with one? Also VDIM. The higher performance cars (IS 350, GS 430, GS 450h) all get VDIM while the lower output ones don't. Would a super IS receive the same burden? Doesn't seem like Lexus is looking to back off on VDIM in the near future.

Who knows, just some things I wanted to bring up I guess.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

GS450h performs like a 4.5 V8, which it does very well however getting the mileage of a 4 cylinder. So the LS600h has the power of a 6.0 V12 while having the mileage of a V6

Naming convention is exactly like AMD cpus, XP1800 or whatever performs as fast as the intel 1.8 ghz despite running at only 1.2 ghz clock

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

I believe the IS500 will come to fruition. Lexus needs a true high performance sport coupe to compete against Merc, and BMW.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

you hurt audis feelings by leaving them out

XeroK00L

Yes "the GS450h performs like a 4.5 V8", says Lexus. What Lexus doesn't say is whose and which 4.5L V8 it is compared to. The truth is, the 4.5L V8 Lexus is talking about does NOT exist. It's just a rough estimate that can be actually far from accurate. For example, the IS"350" easily outpowers the RX"400"h. In the end of day it's the actual specs that will matter, not what Lexus names them.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

im pretty sure its implied it performs like a V8 of cars in that market, like the BMW 545/550 etc which the GS450h has in its crosshairs. Just like how AMD named some older cpus 1800XP i mean its obvious who they are comparing it to (intel). I dont think you need to explicity tell anyone

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think it's more in line within the same series. you have rx350, es350, is350, and gs350. you won't put them together and say that the is350 and gs350 will be as slow as the other two right?

2jzgte

An official Toyota press release. If that is not enough call Toyota directly and ask for a copy of the release, a free copy will be sent to you. This information was even on Toyota corps main page when Road & Track broke the story on the LFA. That magazine has been preaching of a new Supra since 1998, every single time it turns out they are dead wrong. Not only are predictions for a Supra off, they are always way off. First it was the new Celica, then the Rod Millen Celica, the Solara, then it was the new v8 powered JGTC cars, F1, then the new Solara again!, Sc430 and finally the LFA............ Keep dreaming guys.

LexFather