Can The New Lexus GS Really Hang With The Big Boys WITHOUT A V8 Option?

No ! Next question ?

will the GS-F have a v8?

That is really the only question. Since the CTS is in this category, and it only offers a V8 in its high performance model, the GS may very well do fine. Then again, the CTS is also criticized at times for NOT offering a V8 in a non-high powered form. *shrugs*

The GS350 got a V6 and Hybrid version will get tuned V6+electric motor. So the GS-F will definitely get more power. Who cares if it gets V8 or not maybe will get boosted V6 or maybe LFA's V10. It definitely will be competitive. Lexus is serious about sportiness this time.
Look at IS-F getting 3 updates in 3 years time(counting the upcoming 2012 update also mostly suspension update) and now it is as quick around a race track as M3.

Provided the GS-F makes it to production. Still vaporware right now.

Of course it can..I hate to say this but, Lexus was able to extract 306hp from their V6 and BMW has to take the turbo route in order for it to be fuel efficient.

So, if Lexus add a couple of turbochargers to their V6, it's going to gain some serious HP.....GS-F, anyone?

"Lexus was able to extract 306hp from their V6 and BMW has to take the turbo route in order for it to be fuel efficient"


So Lexus is special because they can extract 306-hp from their V6? Wow. Kia can extract 306-hp from a 1.5-l engine if they wanted to. Extracting extra horsepower out of engines isn't that hard.

Funny the 3rd generation M3 had well over 300 horsepower naturally aspirated it wasnt that BMW couldnt produce that much horsepower.....

Because the Lexus V6 is larger than the BMW, and turbocharging yields more torque than what the naturally aspirated engine gives in the Lexus plus it has a flatter torque curve with more all of its torque available at under 2,000 rpm. BMW could have made a 3.5l inline 6 with just as much or more power but the turbo 3.0 was better.

JUGNU: Really?, Show me the numbers please....

"Can The New Lexus GS Really Hang With The Big Boys WITHOUT A V8 Option?"

- Ask Acura about the RL and you will get your answer.

I'm less concerned about the lack of a V8 than I am about the fact that they're bringing out their brand new car with a six cylinder engine/transmission that is out of date. The 535 and A6 3.0T will both offer better performance with their forced induction and eight speed automatics versus the non-direct injected Lexus with its 6-speed. The E350 is still non-FI for now but at least has direct injection and a 7-speed. The A6 2.0T and upcoming 528 will both get substantially better economy from their turbo 4's and eight speeds (the 528 in particular is expected to jump 20% versus the current 528, which would mean a highway rating in the mid/high 30's).

Frankly it looks like Lexus spent all their R&D on the gadgets and "look at me" features, and not enough on the drivetrain.

The 3.5L is direct injected. And what happened to all the German whiners who thought the LS's 7 speeds were one speed too many? Six is fine when the engine is tuned for 6.

the A6 3.0 is the highest engine choice...funny you dont mention that the base model still uses the 2.0 found in the A4. The 306hp 3.5 is the base engine and we have no idea what is in store for the hybrid, but you can get it will have 340+ hp

5 years ago the answer would be a lot different than it is now... BMW uses Turbos on the 5, Audi uses Supercharges on the 6, I see now reason why Lexus could either Hybrid/Turbo/Supercharge another GS, as long as there is a distinct difference. The problem with the GS450h was that it wasn't fast enough or fuel effecient enough to justify a $10k additional pricetag. If they do an equivelent 400+HP GSh, then they don't really need a V8 or forced induction.

Agreed.

Lexus is already getting 340hp and mid 20s combined mpg out of the GS hybrid. No reason to believe that this own't go up to 380ish and high 20s. Thus no need for an overlapping V8.

Yet the GS hybrid really doesnt get much better gas mileage than a typical V6 car in this class. It gets slightly better city thats about it compared to the 535i which is notably faster while providing similar gas mileage to a gs hybrid. If anything the GS hybrid is little more than a gimmick, it fails on 2 levels its performance is lacking and its fuel economy is average at best...

the GS450h was plenty fast, and for its time (5 yrs ago) and class, its mpg was exceptional. it was like a V8 with V6 fuel economy. yes that is no longer the case. hence the reason to upgrade, as the bmw has. hybrid technology has increased since the 450h debuted.

5 years ago GSh was around 5.0 sec 0-60mph lol…depending on how u modulated ur own ghetto launch control

Although I love the interior and the build quality, but there're few things they screwed up on with this model.

1. No power change or transmission from previous generation.
2. The exterior design is not attractive.
3. Rear end look just ugly, yet it tries to be like the IS's.
4. Nothing new with the front end, it's already in the Lexus market, the CT200h.

Over all, this will be another failed attempt.
4.

You make some very valid points. However exterior/interior styling design will always be personally subjective. I think the overall the design language of the 4th gen GS is quite stunning. If you look very closely, you'll see how Lexus integrated ques from previous or current Lexus lineup(CT,ES,GS,IS,LS)while utilizing some elements from other brands such as the BMW 3/5 series and Infinti G/M models.

the lack of a V8 is the LEAST of their problems. in design terms, it's entirely derivative. and i wouldn't hold your breath on handling.

"Lexus GS chief engineer, Yoshihiko Kanamori, is in the right state of mind, following the likes of the phrase, “if the shoe fits, wear it."

Mr. Kanamori said Lexus never planned to carry on with the V-10 project, but that it was “technically feasible to fit the engine into the new GS.” Futher proving the idea has been seriously pondered, he said the engine would have to be detuned to deliver more torque instead of power.

http://wot.motortrend.com/lexus-gs-f-350-to-get-available-lfa-v-10-power-109463.html

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/9A0D66B0DB8E0492CA2578F10020637A

Also GS plug in hybrid in on the cards. Lexus focusing on and offering advance engines which the German Rivals will offer in 5 years time. Look at new Infiniti M35h, it is almost as fast as Infiniti's 420BHP M56. And if Lexus GS450h beat M35h than it should be as fast as V8 with an economy better than V6.

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/08/il-track-tested-2011-infiniti-m56-vs-2012-infiniti-m35h.html

Lexus is ahead not behind by not giving REGULAR V8 engine option, they are looking at future and going the right way GS250, GS350, GS450h, GS F-sport, GS-F, GS plug in hybrid. I am sure most will discontinue the Regular V8 option in few years time.

Well said.

The GS couldn't hang when it had a V8 so thats not the point. The GS is answering a question no one asked and will never make it. The IS will do the job!

Looking at their history, they seem to introduce new drivetrain technology independently of new models. Lexus clearly realizes the age of their 3.5L 6 speed combo, or else they wouldn't have updated the transmission to improve speed and economy. It would not be at all surprising if they introduce a drivetrain update in a few years, I'm sure many would prefer it to be sooner than later though.