Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread
So this thing is based on the GS, not the IS? I can't see how it's going to be dynamically competitive to the 4er, seem like it will likely be much heavier and more of a 6er competitor, albeit without competitive engines. The GS350 is listed as 3,800 pounds, even if this loses some weight compared to that, it's still going to be a porker.
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You have your facts wrong. This thing is based on both the IS and GS, because IS and GS share the same new platform, thus the weight disadvantage of the IS which is based on the GS, unlike the 3 Series which is not based on the 5 Series. The GS is longer than the IS (overhangs), but it has a shorter wheelbase. The power of the 3.5l V6 is enough, it is more fuel efficient in real driving conditions, sounds better. Unfortunately Lexus will introduce the new 3.0l V6 Turbo in the next LS, and the 2.0l I4 in the new NX. But the engines will be competitive. BMW also was very uncompetitive without its N20 and N63 (by the way N63 is no more competitive and N55 neither, thus new N58). Now the Japanese will go turbo, they'll own the market again. That is their domain. BTW, they went NA for efficiency reasons, paradoxically they go back to FI for efficiency reasons, but that FI is efficient is BS.