Andynolife

"300bhp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a 170bhp electric motor. Offering an astounding 470bhp, the car will feature all-wheel drive and be capable of around 60mpg."




England's AutoExpress predicts IS350 GT
Peter Lyon of England's AutoExpress has published an interesting article with concrete predictions about Lexus' performance future, including fast and frugal hybrid sports models.


For the IS, they predict "a new flagship when it is replaced in 2006. The IS350 GT will offer a tuned version of the 3.5-litre V6 that will be in the GS. However, it's not clear if it will sport a hybrid powerplant, although it may integrate some of the bigger system's fuel-saving technology, including engine stop and start systems which save fuel in stationary traffic."

Here's the full article (with an IS300.NET editorial comment):

Engineers are currently working on two machines, one of which will be a new version of the flagship LS. However, first to hit the road will be the GS350 GT, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show.(Note: The 350GT version of the 3rd-generation GS has NOT been introduced or shown anywhere. The author surely was referring to the new GS300 and 430.- Ed.) Expected in August 2005 and aimed at the Mercedes E55 AMG, it will mark Lexus' first anniversary of sales in Japan, and sport a 300bhp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a 170bhp electric motor. Offering an astounding 470bhp, the car will feature all-wheel drive and be capable of around 60mpg.


But if you think that sounds impressive, then just wait another 12 months, when Lexus' ultimate hybrid - the LS500 GT - will appear. Combining a 400bhp 5.0-litre V8 with a 200bhp electric motor, the car will offer at least 600bhp and be targeted at the Mercedes S-Class flagship, the S600L.


Thanks to predicted improvements in battery technology, economy of more than 50mpg is expected - double the standards set by traditional petrol engines of equivalent performance.
But the march to bring eco-friendly performance technology to Lexus models won't stop there. The firm's popular IS will inherit a new flagship when it is replaced in 2006. The IS350 GT will offer a tuned version of the 3.5-litre V6 that will be in the GS. However, it's not clear if it will sport a hybrid powerplant, although it may integrate some of the bigger system's fuel-saving technology, including engine stop and start systems which save fuel in stationary traffic.
For now, the cost of hybrid technology means it's likely to be reserved for Toyota and Lexus' most expensive models. However, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, one Toyota insider told us that the company was committed to hybrid cars, and that ultimately they will be available right across both ranges.

biker

All speculation and I think . Obviously it's a pretty old article if it mentioned the early March Geneva auto show. You have to wonder about any article in which the author mentions incorrectly that the new GS will have a 3.5L V6.

einsatz

Yes that came out back in february. Check out the info posted by Gavriil on A-CL:
http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...ighlight=lexus

TSX Hokie

Why would they ditch the i6 from the current IS300 in favor of a v6?

It seems like a v6+batteries+motors on a luxury car would weight 4000+ lbs.

EDIT: Thinking about it more, the i6->v6 move was probably based on space concerns under the hood. The electric motor+i6 was probably too long.

gocubsgo55

once AGAIN, Toyota takes the design cues of another car, adds a touch of improvement, and calls it their own! That front end and side profile say Saab 9-3 all over it! That of course is not a bad thing, because I simply love the 9-3 exterior.

Holy crap I see TL all over the lower portion of the front end. Toyota engineers/spies doing their job as usually ladies and gentlemen.

biker

With the exception of BMW virtually everyone is doing away with I6 engines. Like you said it makes for long hoods.

MarkPinTx

If Toyota steals so many designs, how come theirs end up so fugly?

Actually, not bad for a Toyota. Largely because it looks like a cross between a TSX and a 9-3.

crazy

To me it looks like a Mazda 3/Bmw 5 with a TL lower front bumper.

Methinks its a photochop.

kenji4861

The japanese text actually describes the IS250/IS350 specs explained over at is300.net. I don't know how this originated, but I don't think it was someone on the net screwing around with photoshop.

TSX 'R' US

that pic can't be real... looked like someone took a TL and rounded it some...

biker

Some new info is slowly trickling out, but the hybrid portion of that article is a ways off. In retrospect that article seems like something Autospies would write - pull something out of thin air and see if it sticks.

DEI99662

If that is a real pic, then it doesnt look too bad so far.

iamhomin

Old news, but new to me.

iNteGraz92

as long as it doesn't have tail lights similar to the current ones

biker

I think that's one mistake Lexus won't repeat.

TSX 'R' US

stuckthrotle

looks just like the new rl

biker

There's talk over at clublexus that like other makes the new IS will inherit the "lexus" look that started with the new GS.
More concrete info should be available soon.