Upcoming Lexus IS hybrid to feature a 2.0L I-4 engine?

The power of V6 with consumption of I4.

Great idea, let's see it work ;)

The new 2.0 I4 with dual VVTi should be at least good for 150hp if not more. So the rumor IS hybrid will not have less power than the current Camry hybrid system.

the IS is supposed to be a "sport sedan", right? Does a sub-200hp version of the car really make sense then? Wouldn't that make more sense on the ES? It's a Camry anyway and they already have the hybrid Camry powertrain. The (primarily) women and 60+ year olds who buy ES's probably would be fine with 187hp.

Sounds good, 2.0I4 hybrid, ~180hp, v6 performance, 40+mpg.

Diesel what? That A4 100hp tiny Diesel?

or you could just get the 2008 C-class bluetec.
43MPG.
why wait?

Supra, you really think this will get 40mpg? I say 35, TOPS.

The A4 diesel is amazing- so are the 320d and the C Bluetec.

Hybrids are good a idea for any make or model.

Undoubtedly Lexus's IS hybrid will be aimed at all the diesel offerings from BMW and Mercedes in Europe. Of course North Americans will buy it because a) it's a hybrid and b) it's a Lexus.

I highly doubt that Lexus would put an inline 4 with hybrid technology in its flag ship...

Nice, but I would like to see Toyota/Lexus start with their deisel hybrid cars.

Sounds good, 2.0I4 hybrid, ~180hp, v6 performance, 40+mpg.

Diesel what? That A4 100hp tiny Diesel?

Putting the technique challenges aside, right diesel hybrid= heavy + heavy, expensive+expensive, plus diesel engines are still not clear enough.

Don't worry, by the time it makes sense, Toyota will do it.

Sailor, actually Toyota already has had hybrid diesel (truck) for quite a long time. But here I meant to talk about passenger cars.

If you want to read this kind of news, here is one for you

Toyota to sell diesel hybrid by 2010 thanks to Isuzu

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/toyota-to-sell-diesel-hybrid-by-2010-thanks-to-isuzu/

Do some research, Sailor. :)

Toyota/Hino 4 cylinder diesel hybrid truck uses a modern hybrid system, as a bit hybrid as a Prius. But it is quite expensive.

The first modern diesel hybrid have been along for years.

Remember, Toyota is good at both hybrid and diesel techniques.

supra:

"by the time it makes sense, Toyota will do it."

it's made sense to produce a good diesel for oh--a few decades in europe. why has toyota failed to "do it."?

I said it again,

1. Toyota is not only dominating in Hybrid but also very good at Diesel. I think you guys from Europe already knew that.

2. Toyota already has diesel hybrid. So there is no more "the first".

^^^^
My bad I red LS instead of IS.

Wow! After LS600h presentation those selfish german car fans have been so retarded... LS600h makes a bad effect to them for sure!

These guys distort everything! Well, too much egoism can leave you blind...

From the article...
<<
1. Hybrid sales are booming in Europe, with 30 per cent of Lexus sales this year expected to be petrol/electric powered.

2. The hybrid-powered RX 4x4 will overshadow conventional engine models in the UK this year, taking 80 per cent of sales.

3. Sales of the GS450h hybrid saloon in the UK are set to overtake last year’s 624 units. In the first three months of the year, 234 have been registered. >>

Europe realises that Toyota/Lexus hybrids are far superior to any diesel.

That's because absolutely NOBODY wants the regular ones when the hybrid isn't that much more money. Lexus is having huge trouble selling Rx350s and GS300/430. We're not even getting the GS350 or 460 because sales are so low.

my favorite fact from above...set to overtake sales of 624 units. wow...huge volume.

Silent, all those stats you just mentioned are comparing Lexus hybrid sales in relation to the Lexus gasoline counterpart. In other words, the gasoline versions of Lexus's models aren't selling worth a crap, so by default the hybrid Lexus sales "are booming" in comparison. RX hybrids will make up 80% of RX sales because they can't give away the non-hybrid model there. And 624 units?

What are you talking about? Prius is amazing.I ve driven a used Prius for some kilometres and I ve found that is better than a diesel Multijet 1.3 Grante Punto.

Fothermore Prius is huge like Avensis. Not like diesel Grante Punto which is a small car.

Sailor, actually Toyota already has had hybrid diesel (truck) for quite a long time. But here I meant to talk about passenger cars.

If you want to read this kind of news, here is one for you

Toyota to sell diesel hybrid by 2010 thanks to Isuzu

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/toyota-to-sell-diesel-hybrid-by-2010-thanks-to-isuzu/

Slightly off-topic,

Seems that the BlueTec hype (peeing while driving) is over. Read this from CNNMoney:

"Even with the new fuel, scrubbing diesel emissions this clean isn't cheap or easy. That's one reason most car companies are entering the market with diesel-powered SUVs first. Heavier vehicles have easier emissions standards."

"Mercedes-Benz, for example, will soon be selling diesel versions of its M-class, R-class and GL-class SUVs here and will be phasing out the E320 diesel sedan it currently sells here."

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/01/autos/diesels/index.htm?postversion=2007050312

well, if MB is phasing something out for selling only 11,000 units.
then the GS450h--at 2,000--must be shocking disappointment headed for....the dustbin.

and to be clear, it's the old CDI diesel that's being discontinued to make way for blutec.

and the fact that bluetec isn't "cheap or easy" to manufacture clearly doesn't worry one of the world's foremost engineering companies.

let's just see what happen once these cars are on the market and consumers realize that they get 50% BETTER MILEAGE THAN A COMPARABLE HYBRID.

I really don't know how you guys read those quotes from CNNmoney article.

My understanding is that there will be no "Peeing while driving" (Urea injection) but just regular diesel engines can be sold in trucks only. As for this part, everyone can bring a diesel truck to US including Toyota, who produces some of cleanest of this kind.

supra:

i don't get my automotive info from CNN. what do they know about cars?

I am looking forward to eye up the lines of this LF-A beauty.

i dont think that they should use the IS, they should make a totally different car and put this engine in it.

The original point about shrinking from a 2.4L to a 2.0L engine may be interesting and you might actually get better performance out of the 2.0L.

In a hybrid configuration, there are more pieces to the puzzle to determine performance.

You'll have to look at all the numbers before you can decide... Like how big is the electric motor? You might have a more powerful motor over a less power gas engine. With more powerful/less heavy batteries, this means you take a bath on range, but you might end up with MORE torque and better accelleration even though engine output is actually less.

Also, a higher revving 2.0 Liter engine that is used more to charge batteries may be more efficient than a 2.4L which has better low end torque, but may have less horsepower.

This 2.0L engine might have a really crappy torque curve, but that's ok in hybrid as long as you can get that "sweet spot" needed for power generation, and make up for it in stored electricity & beefy electric motor.

If this were the only powerplant in the car, this would be a logical assumption, but in a hybrid config, it's too hard to tell what the result is until we see all the specs of this car.

What's new on Autospies this week?

More Toyota hype and more under-age fanboys.

Yay!

Mercedes does diesel very well. In my opinion Mercedes-Benz created the automobile and in those periods diesels were big before the big petrols came along. In Europe diesels are huge and that's why they continue to bring out these models and put more funding to come out with clean burning diesels.

It's like Hybrid's for North America when Honda first brought it out with the Insight. It wasn't so popular. But now Toyota has taken that technology and slapped them in the GS, RX, and LS. Quiet rides and very efficient.

No matter how much Diesel vs Hybrids are going on they are all capable of being major contributors to helping the global warming situation.

Agent63 Toyota does not use hondas IMA technology.

HSD prius started sales in Japan 1997.

Hondas IMA electric motor just helps ICE.
Toyotas HSD uses electric motor as the MAIN power source.

It is Honda that use some of Toyota's techniques in their latest civic hybrid.

Honda was the first to implement Hybrid technology into a main stream level. They just weren't as successful as Toyota in marketing it. I think their timing was a little too early and was before the global warming was really reached out to the mass consumers. Lexus has taken what Honda started and brought it to a new level. Great stuff.!

I ll wait LS600h testing this summer, before making any comment on IS hybrid. Also 2008-2009 new HSD generation coming.

German fans here, call HSD as hype, but when it comes to real life things are different...
Economy wise, Prius bests any car gas/diesel in Europe.

ummm...no it doesn't.
Ever heard of a Lupo 3.0?

Thats what they say in United Kingdom.

http://www.ukintpress.com/engineoftheyear/winners/bestfuel.html
http://www.ukintpress.com/engineoftheyear/previous04.html

there are no plans to actually produce this car.
there won't be hybrid versions of either the ES or IS until the next generation.

Hybrids go from good to better. Just compare sales of prius now and two years ago.

if hybrids don' t fulfil your driving purposes, then dont buy these.
But these cars suit many peoples needs.

thanks huu.

but i've 'picked up' on the automotive design and manufacturing process.

due to exorbitant costs of significant mid-cycle redesign (like adding 4-wheel drive or hybrid versions) toyota doesn't do it. when they initially design a car they plan for any and all variants. and in the case of toyota they keep those variants to a minimum to further minimize costs at the expense of choice for the consumer (for example, there are three IS variants and 14 3-series variants).

hope that was helpful

lexus wouldn't do something as stupid as putting a subaru engine in a lexus.
the brand already has challenges distinguishing itself from toyota. they would never damage the brand by putting a subaru engine in an IS.

Our taxis are diesel and need more fuel. Also they are dirty.
According to EU directive ??70/220-2002/80 (Euro IV)/EC Prius is the best on greenhouse emissions
grams per 100km (Co2 99,104,115) but also it is the cleanest
(PM -, CO 18, HC 2, NOx 1 ) grams per 100km.

For me a hybrid is better than a diesel .

EU Magazines are paid from EU auto manufacturers. They take a prius and change its philosophy.

Try to do the same on a diesel and see mpg dropping...

Also don't fool yourself, because in that case money and time speaks. Toyota has a 10 year valuable experience on hybrids, and competes OIL companies in profits .Your lovely auto companies need extra help from outside to compete...

"EU Magazines are paid from EU auto manufacturers."

Yes, and it's all a giant german conspiracy set up be Angela Merkel to save the Germans and start a 3rd war.

When Toyota brings out its next Prius, you guys will be choked with Diesels.

huu, Toyota just put out a new 2.0L I4 (3ZR-FAE) with dual vvti putting out 158hp, 20% FE improvement.

Then you'd be gone pretty quickly.
"HSD4 is expected to cost the same as a gasoline car if the pricing trend continues"

That seems like BS without proof to me.

It's impossible for something with MORE materials and technology in it to cost less.
And of course, the nickel smelting used for the batteries kills all wildlife in the surrounding area.
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=417227&in_page_id=1770

"Once the nickel is smelted it is sent 10,000 miles on a container ship journey which in itself consumes vast quantities of fuel and energy.

First it is shipped to Europe's biggest nickel refinery at Clydach near Swansea, South Wales. From there it is transported to the Chinese cities of Dalian and Shenyang to be turned into a lightweight substance called nickel foam.
The final stage of the manufacturing process takes place in Japan where the Prius batteries are made."
So eco-friendly....
Also "Robert Fowler, of the Battery Vehicle Association, said: "It is questionable whether it does any more miles to the gallon than a good diesel.""

Hey guys it is pointless to argue with german car fan boys.
Just look what sailor wrote among others: <<And all that fancy gadgetry like regenerative brakes>>

These guys havent even glanced up, how a prius works, 10 years now!
Dont expect them to tell you what Toyota is going to release in years to come.

I think we should let them in peace

So now Lexus is using lawn mower engines!

TPS...

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the Lexus people....