There was a post here about the new Lexus RX330 and spy pics. Here is some new rumors about the that vehicle plus some other Lexus related rumors:

2004-2005 RX 330:
• Lexus RX330 will be out by April
• Within 12 months after launch, the RX330 Hybrid will be available.
• The RX 330 Hybrid will outrun every current Lexus with a 0-60 time of around 5.5 sec.
• The RX 330 Hybrid will exceed 40 mpg.
• All this means that the RX 330 Hybrid can burn 1 tank of gas and leave most cars (burning 2 tanks of gas) eating its hybridized dust.

Lexus, 2004 and beyond:
• The I-6 will be discontinued.
• The new IS will have a 330 V-6. Unclear if it the same engine from the RX or not.
• A 400 hp hybrid engine is already a done deal for sports cars/coupes.
• By 2007, hybrid engines will be an option on all Lexus models.
• Lexus will not engage in a horsepower war with other car manufacturers, but is changing direction and will lead the industry to high output hybrid and fuel cell engines that will kick some butt, save gas and be enviromentally friendly.

 

All of the above is interesting cos it shows us where Acura is going. Cos it wont be far from the above.

 

I'm pretty upset the I6 is on it's way out. It's a well balanced efficient engine. I guess they need more room under the hood? I'm glad BMW and Mercedes haven't ditched it yet.

400hp will be awesome. Especially being a hybrid. As I know I certainly don't need 400hp when it's raining or snowing out.

Wonder what happened to the IS430 thing? Maybe the IS will get the V8 option. 330hp will definetly put it near M3 territory HP wise. But I believe the new M3 will leap ahead as it always seems too. Since rumor has it the new M3 will have a V8. However they didn't make a E46 M3 sedan. So I don't know we can fairly compare them.

 

The E46 M3 sedan is actually on the way for next year. BMW admited to the coupe only strategy being a mistake.

 

Can you imagine a 5.5 second V6 RX? Holy moly.

 

I think with BMW it's a selling point as well as tradition to not abandon it.

as for mercedes, they can't ever abandon their I6....they don't use them.

 

Mercedes 3.2L is a I6

 

The 3.2 liter engine used in the C320 and ML320 and in other cars, is a V6. Mercedes used to use inline 6 engines but they have abandoned the strategy a few years back. They use I6 and I8s in their big trucks in Europe though (semis, etc.).

 

here's some help...

http://www.mbusa.com

 

Ya, last time i saw the hood popped a SL320 it was a I6 but that was befor they switched to the new model.

huh, cool. Guess that was a bad asumption.

Wonder why everyone is moving away from it.

Next thing I'll hear TVR is using a V6.

EDIT:

LOL, so I just went and looked up a '98 SL320. That a V6 too. I don't know what im smokin. I obviously have it confused with something else. Maybe it was a 97 I saw?

 

gee thanx.





here's one for ya...

www.your.an.ass.com




Ya, I really thought Mercedes still used the I6. Guess they do, but it's not in a passenger car

 

The main 2 reasons manufacturers are going away from an I6 is packaging and cost. Secondary reasons are (believe it or not), reliability. And please dont start flaming, there is nothing wrong with the I6s in BMWs and the IS300, etc. Including older models like the Supra. In theory though, it is easier "to make" a V6 engine more reliable than an I6 engine. I say again, this is not a main issue right now. Unless if you wonna include the problems with the M3, but now you're picking neats.

 

Interesting... I'll have to do some research and see if I can find any articles comparing the two for reliability. I myself would have assumed it was cost savings and size. If you find anything I'd love to read it.

EDIT:
I found this to be a good article to read. However it doesn't address reliability directly.
http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_s...ne/smooth3.htm

 

Gavril is correct in ALL his statements. I found this out yesterday. Damn, first type-s, then WRX, then Altimas, now u gotta watch for RX 330s

 

Nice reading material.

 

Where did you look up the '98 sl320?

the last year the sl320 was offered was '97, which was also the last year that MB had an I6 in their models.

from '98 on, the only sl's were the 500 and 600.

You can find this info at:

http://www.IamanassbutURWRONG.com

and

http://www.whatUareSmokingUshouldStop.com