According to Paul Tan, the Lexus LS may be getting a new engine option this year:
This could happen when Lexus unveils the facelift for the LS, which would be due anytime soon as it was launched in the year 2007. A Lexus LS 350 could be powered by the 2GR-FSE 3.5 liter V6 engine incorporating Toyota D4-S twin injection technology, which combines port injection with direct injection. It produces 315 PS and 377Nm of torque, which puts it somewhere in line with the F01/F02 BMW 740i.
If true, this is great news. The 2GR-FSE is the same engine used in the IS 350 & GS 350/450h, which means this V6 LS could also be offered in the same hybrid configuration as the GSh.
(Of course, there’s no guarantee that the LS 350 would be available in North America.)
I hope this is true!
I’ve been asking for an LS V6 for years, and as recently as a few posts back in the comments!
The 3.5L version has plenty of power for that vehicle - in fact it makes more power than the LS 400 did for a LONG time!
I was thinking of your comments, actually, but couldn’t locate the thread it was in!
Put a V6 in the LS and it jumps to the top of my “next vehicle” list.
An LS350 would make a lot of sense during this economic climate. And would jump to the top of our list right now also, right now we are looking for an ES350 but the LS350 would give us the bigger car without the much larger price!
iono about this. while this may be good for certain customers, it ultimately hurts brand image as the prestige sedan segment is meant to have V8s
IMO if this would occur we would not see the LS 350 come to the States, it would be for Asia and other small markets. Moreover, the pricing overlap would not be significant so as not to encroach on sales of the GS 350/other V6 Lexus models.
LS v6? terrible idea
It obviously would hurt the brand’s image, especially when considering that BMW and Merc don’t sell their flagships in the US with V6 (or in BMW’s case, I6?)
Anyways, I think it’s definitely not coming to the US, and how complicated do you guys think the pricing would be? I don’t think Americans always like complicated options when it comes to cars. For many, choosing between the the LS LWB and SWB would be hard enough when considering the price…and then the GS 460 comes along to make it even harder.
Well, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that problem x]
I’ve made a pact with my parents that I would never waste a penny on anything unless I can fully own it (great way to negotiate the price, btw).
Thank god they helped me with my LS and LX, or else, it would’ve taken forever
Absolutely agree, I have strong doubts it would appear as a conventional V6 in North America. I do think there’s a draw of a V6/hybrid, though. It would probably cost as much as the LS 460 and would have definite benefits over the 600hL.
Yeah, I guess I’m thinking strictly of a V6/hybrid in the LS, which basically replaces the GSh has the car in the Lexus lineup for me. I’m not about to buy an LS 600hL, but a LS 450h? Sign me up.
No i don´t think so, but it would be nice if they but in the gs450 motorline, to compere whith the Bmw 740i here in Europ (the Bmw 740i has 335i engine). And put in the v8 diesel they have in the Toyota landcruiser as well, it has a imprssive torq 650/nm and 286/hk.
i agree! adding a V6 engine to the LS lineup would be nice. And yes it has to be an Hybrid! (GS450h based)
Good call on the Landcruiser diesel—that would be something in an LS!
The downsizing trend is probably coming to the US as well. There is talk about a 4 cylinder bi-turbo diesel in the European S-class now (first 4 cylinder in S) and they are working on a V6 based S400 hybrid. Also, both Mercedes and BMW have dropped their plans for new V12 engines. I also think next gen. M3/RS4/IS-F will drop two cylinders.
A 4 cylinder in an S-Class! Hard to imagine such a thing even a year ago, but it makes real sense.
There’s this argument that smaller engines somehow hurt brand perception, but I don’t buy it—Mercedes releasing a V6/hybrid flagship before Lexus would do more damage if you ask me.
Lexus isn’t as concerned with image as much as Mercedes and BMW. What they care about most is sales, and they probably know an LS 350 would be a tremendous hit in the states as well as around the world where luxury cars are in demand. Given the current economic status making a more fuel efficient, and cheaper LS is a great idea.
Actually, I think Lexus is very concerned about its image. Over the years, they have constantly tried to raise the prices, even during bad times.
As a fan, I like the idea, but when I become a customer again, it’s a different story
Now that I think about it, the LS 350 is gonna be just like the original LS 400 - more so than I originally thought, but I hope Lexus decides to add more amenities to the V8 and the V8 hybrid instead of downgrade the V6 or V6 hybrid.
Btw, have you guys seen Hyundai’s most recent superbowl campaign? One of them consists of Lexus and BMW “bosses” going crazy over Hyundai being “Car of the Year.” It’s so funny, I tell you, and I think they did a great job too.
Click here for the video - it’s the second one, btw.
LS460L (20 mpg [combined])
LS600h L (21 mpg [combined])
LS450h (25-30 mpg [combined]) [use of short-wheelbase] approx. US$74000
actually i miscalculated… it be more like US$77000 or something.
Thats still good or like a LS450h L would be US$87000, almost $20k cheaper then the LS600h L.
Plus HP wise probably be like 380, which would be interesting to see on a 3.5L V6 Hybrid.
::Competition::
Audi A8 4.2 FSI
BMW 750i
Maserati Quattroporte
MB S550
All of them are V8s but a V6 hybrid LS would give Lexus a interesting edge an a more eco-friendly look to a flagship sedan, plus the price would beat the competition also.
Lexus is very much concerned about their image, but it’s a different kind of image than Merc and BMW. It’s rare that any new Lexus product is a slow seller. Save for the aging SC, every vehicle in their current lineup is very sales competitive. I believe that is why they are taking their time to produce a GT Sports Tourer (plus they want to make it as good if not better than the GT-R). They know the LF-A is not going to be a high volume car, rather it will be an image booster. IMO an LS 350 would be a no brainer for Lexus solely based on the fact that it would sell very well.
I haven’t seen the Hyundai ad, but I think it’s great. Just hilarious, I’m sure that is exactly how the evil Lexus boardroom looks like. Oh and I’m sure those were the exact reactions of Lexus CEO’s when they saw Hyundai winning NAIAS COTY. LOL!
I think the cachet of having a hybrid/V6 engine powering the Lexus flagship is exactly what the brand should do. It’s a great time to capitalize on the growing gas concern of everyone, and honestly, it’s probably what the LS 600hL should have been.
Had to say, but true.
Yeah, you’ve hit on exactly the reason this makes sense. It’s a key differentiator. All they have to do is look at how RXh sales have helped keep that model on top.
I don’t think it will hurt the Lexus brand much, having a V6 LS would be a nice addition… The current generation GS I’m not a fan of though. Looks boring and cheap….