Thoughts?


The Kaizen Factor weblog has been digging deep into Toyota trademarks in the USA, and in the process made an unexpected discovery — Lexus has recently filed applications for both the IS 300 and the RC 300.
This is significant due to the missing h signifier, meaning these trademarks are not just to cover the possibility of Lexus USA importing the IS 300h and RC 300h currently available in other parts of the world.
Joaquin Ruhi at Kaizen Factor believes the new 300 designation could be the 3.0L V6 engine from the 2006 GS 300 updated to the dual Atkinson-to-Otto cycle and electric VVT-iE:
Performance figures for the new [engine] are anybody’s guess at this point, but if we note that the dual cycle + VVTiE enhancements to the 2UR-GSE 5-liter V8 produced a gain of 51 hp and 18 lb/ft of torque, applying those figures to the old 3GR-FSE 3-liter V6’s numbers bring us to 303 hp and 249 lb/ft of torque.
Should the calculations prove correct, this new engine would duplicate the horsepower in the current 3.5L V6 in the IS 350, and sideways moves are not what Lexus needs to do right now. Instead, I would expect the potential RC 300 & IS 300 to show a mild performance boost.
It all makes for a fun discussion, what do you think?
(As for the particulars — the RC 300 trademark number 86429787 was filed on October 14th, 2014 and the IS 300 trademark number 86593239 was filed on April 10th, 2015.)
Source: Kaizen Factor

 

I am willing to bet the 3.0L will be a forced induction unit, just like the majority of its competition will have by 2017. Currently, the only cars without FI are the Q50 (which will soon have a 3.5L twin turbo for 2017 alongside the release of the new Q60), and the ATS, which may even seen detuned FI when it gets redesigned/renamed in the form of a 3.0L already reported in the CT6.

There are reports of a 3.0L force induction engine join venture between Toyota/BMW in the upcoming Supra/Z4, who knows? I am willing to bet the RC350 will get replaced by the RC300, and the entry level will be the RC200 (which is already trademarked).

 

^^ If it is going to be an FI engine, I am surprised they didn't trademark "RC300t", a la NX200t, IS200t, RC200t.

 

I would have LOVEDDDDD a 3.0T engine

 

Is is nearly inevitable. It's only a matter of time before Lexus gives everyone what they want, which is an IS 300T and RC 300T.... both weighing in with about 350-400ish HP.

It would fill the gap just below the "F" models very nicely. (or they could replace/become the F models if they produce enough torque.)

 

Ooh this is exciting. I, personally, would love to see more "T" models. It's hard to think Lexus would make that transition though. FI doesn't necessarily scream reliability

 

FI cars can be very reliable if they are engineered correctly. Lexus made their own turbo in house for the NX 200T. That is less common these days than you'd think. If they factor everything into the equation with cooling and oil and precision measurements and all appropriate gaskets and seals, a turbo will not be a reliability problem. The horrible turbo issues that everyone experienced back in the 80s and 90s were a result of a badly needed lesson on what can go wrong with turbo designs. We've got most of that sorted now in 2015.

And remember, we are talking about Lexus here. They have some of the best engineers in the business. Personally, I would not hesitate for a moment to buy a modern turbo car.

 

A to Z Lexus builds their turbos in house from scratch compared to other competitors like BMW who outsource their turbos. You'll see that the Lexus turbos will turn out to be extremely reliable vs the competition.

 

Great point! I think it's the BMW-owner in me that is the source of my fears haha