Lexus GS 300/GS 430

boomsama

The brochure mainly talks about the rear view camera. In a sentence about it it says "Select reverse in both the Lexus GS300 and V8 GS430 and automatically..." So the trim levels are for sure the GS300 and GS430.

 

 The brochure did come with a letter with which i directly quote

"We're even introducing a powerful 4.3 litre V8 engine" They're introducing it because on the current GS, there is only one trim level (GS300). Note how they also do not say "new" so it's definintely the carry over from the current GS.

 

Will keep you guys updated with further information I get from Lexus.

rwoods

As the temps start to drop in the Long Island area I'm wondering if my 2004 Lexus GS430 with summer tires will experience any shortcomings while I drive it? I know not to use it in snow and ice but how about in temps below freezing?

lenscap

The article definitely said the new 3.5 is capable of applications in both FWD and RWD cars. I am sure the engine is the same, although the Avalon will have 280hp and the IS supposedly 320hp. Who knows if the GS gets this engine how powerful it will be.

lexusguy

Some summer tires experience performance drops if temperatures drop below 40F or so. Depends on the tire I think.

lexusguy

An article in this months C&D indicates that the redesigned LS due for '07 will get a new 5.0L V8. That most likely means that GS will be GS300 and GS430 as all brochures seem to indicate until the '07 model year, when they will probably switch to GS350 and GS500.

boomsama

The '07 model year means 2006 in normal language, so does that mean the GS will get new engines only one year after their release?

lexusguy

It depends when the LS actually shows up. Lexus says it will replace its entire car line by '07. IS and GS come first, for '06, with ES and LS in '07. Im not sure if that means late 2006 for an '07 LS500, or late in '07 for an '08 LS500.

oac

Do you suppose Lexus will continue the GS/LS engine match ? Methinks we may start to see a departure between these cars. I can see the GS4xx get the 4.6L and the 4.5h, while the GS3xx gets the 3.5L and the AWD. The LS will then differentiate itself with the base 5L engine, and possibly a LWB version with the 4.5h hybrid option. What do you think ?

 

Going by Lexus' LS releases since the MY2001 release, one can speculate that the new LS will be a summer/fall 2006 as a MY2007 release. This will be exactly 3 years after the current refresh/facelift on the 2004 LS430 which occured Fall 2003. Makes sense ?

uofmiami

Rwoods,

 

The summer 17" tires are not good at all when temps get to around 40 or lower, if you are going to do any aggressive driving. If so, make sure they are warmed up adequately, otherwise you'll be hearing the VSC kicking in. I just slap 16" rim/tires for the winter and not worry about the temp or the road conditions. And I am from LI as well. Plus if we have a bad winter why risk the 17" rims to potholes. Last winter was horrific, which I am sure you knew.

lexusguy

There's no informaton to indicate that a 4.6L V8 exists at all (other than that trademark thing, but that doesnt necessarily mean anything), or that Lexus would start using different V8s in its cars. It wouldnt really make sense for them to do that. Infiniti, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi all allow their mid level car access to the top V8 in the stable. Sure there are some slight hp detunes in certain cases, but it makes sense for Lexus to use the same formula, as they have been doing.

boomsama

Don't forget using different engines costs more money.

oac

Agree. But here is my point. The LS and GS4xx continue to share the hybrid 4.5L motor, but differ in the base engine. I speculate that the next LS will move a tad uplevel with more than one trim. A base 5L v8, a hybrid 4.5h v8 (optional engine in the base), and a LWB version (like the UL trim) which may come in MY2007, fitted with the hybrid engine. The *phantom* 4.6L (which is real, btw) should appear in the GS since Lexus specified this engine for the GS in the patent. And, btw, why would Lexus file a patent for an engine that doesn't exist ?

 

All along since the 2003 NY autoshow when the 2006 GS300 was unveiled, I had felt that Lexus was throwing us a mickey with the engine specs on the GS - a so-called 3L 245hp engine, and the 4.3L with same 300hp ! Huh !! C'mon. A 245hp motor in a $40K+ state-of-the-art car ? The G35 already has >270 ponies as of MY2005, and the new TL has about same hp. So why spend all this time creating a new car only to bring it out with a low output engine (3L) and an old carry-over 4.3L (GS430) ? Makes no sense to me whatsoever, especially when everyone knows there is a 3.5L v6 engine somewhere in the plans. Which car is Lexus gonna put this 3.5L in ? Pls don't say it goes solely for the IS and the RX. Rather, the patent filings speaks volumes about Lexus' true plans. Sell a dummy to the competitors in its verbose spec sheet on the new GS, while planning for something completely different. IOW, scoop the competition with the *real* specs at a time of their own choosing.

 

Just my readings of what's going on tho'. I may be completely on the wrong, but I feel I am in the right track on this.... We'll find out the true story soon enough...

bartalk2

New Toyota Avalon will debut end of January with a 3.5L V-6, 270hp, which adds further mystery to the lower-powered, higher priced 2006 GS300.

lexusguy

Well, we all can keep speculating up until the car is officially launched by Lexus, but I would bet you $5 that it will be GS300 and GS430 when it shows up.

boomsama

Lexus has released official brochures to the public that it will be the GS3000 and GS430. Why is there still so much arguing going on despite concrete information?

oac

$5 bet ? I accept the bet...Won't be long now when the GS shows up here.

oac

Official in Australia. Haven't seen one at my local Lexus shop. And just because it's in the brochure doesn't mean squat until the car actually shows up at the dealership.

 

I have accepted the $5 bet with lexusguy. Let's all wait and see what shows up in the NA market next spring.

lexusguy

Well, we're still going to have to talk about something, otherwise this forum is going to be dead for awhile.

boomsama

Not only in Australia but also in the US. In another Lexus forum, many people have already received a GS booklet, showing the specs of the upcoming models.

oac

Like I said, we'll all just have to wait and see what actually shows up on dealership floors in 2005.

rwoods

Uofmiami,

 

Everything you said came true yesterday here on Long Island. Temps went down to 15 degrees with black ice. My GS430 with 235-45-17 inch wheels was helpless. Slipping, fishtailing, ABS pumping away. Luckily I only have a mile to reach the railroad station so it was great fun. At night I got to see the traction control light go on as I struggled up my driveway in vain.

 

Fortunately this car will enter the garage until spring and my new Subaru Outback will get into the game. I was trying to hold out until New Year's because my parking sticker for the railroad is on the Lexus and it expires on 12/31/04. I'll put the new parking sticker on the Subaru and have all wheel drive for the winter. I agree with you that I don't want to risk my Lexus 17" alloys in a NY pothole.

 

Thanks,

Bob

charleymoore

The UK spec for the nes GS300/430 is at http://www.lexus.co.uk/thefuture.php?page=nggs

00boxsters

http://www.cars.com/news/stories/121604_storya_an.jhtml?page=news- story&aff=mcall

 

"The redesigned GS sedan will arrive in the spring. It will come with either a 3.5-liter V-6 or 4.6-liter V-8. That is an upgrade from today's 3.0-liter I-6 and 4.3-liter V-8 engines."

 

12-16-04

oac

Well, I don't want to say "I told you so" until we see these cars in the showrooms next spring. Although the Automotive News used the TMC patent filings in their story, they seem confident enough to state that the 2006 GS will come with upgraded 3.5L and 4.6L engines. Clearly, this magazine is well aware of the 3L and 4.3L *projected* by Lexus in their brochures, eh !!!

sorter

www.cnnfn.com has an article mainly talk about the growth of Toyota next year. in it, GS350 and GS430 was mentioned for vehicle to be launched for the Japan Market. The Crown and GS is one platform and it has 3.0 V6. But with all the known information, it is pointing a 3.0, but I will not be surprise if it is different.

It kind of make sense to have a GS350 for Japan and Toyota Crown.

lexusguy

We'll see. Apparently VX470 has become JX470. I think it will probably replace the LX470. It would make it even more pointless than it already is with the GX in the lineup.

lenscap

I have one of the 2006 GS preview brochures that lists the engines as 3.0 and 4.3. But on the last page it says something like specs are based on information available at the time of printing and that they are subject to change. I'm not saying the new GS will have the 3.5 and 4.6 because I don't know, but it could be different than what the brochure states.

lexusguy

Only the shadow knows. There's plenty of info that says 3.0 and 4.3, and plenty of other info that says 3.5 and 4.6\5.0.

cove148

Giving your age away there lexusguy. I hear that Sargent Preston & Sky king also know.

oac

Thanks lenscap. This is just a standard disclaimer for any manufacturer. Which should suggest a *change* is NOT out of the question. Guess we'll see soon enough - maybe Lexus will provide updates at the 2005 NY auto show.

alpha01

Why would the JX replace the LX? Toyota runs the Sequoia and Land Cruiser, which differ significant in size, price, and prestige. The Sequoia is the JX base, and the LC, the LX base, so Im not sure I understand your logic.

 

~alpha

lexusguy

Well, there's a lot more of a difference between Sequoia and TLC than there would be between GX, JX, and LX. Most of the magazines have already said there isnt enough to justify the price increase of an LX over a GX. If you add the JX in to the model lineup to slot above GX470, where does that leave LX? LX is also a very old model, and there really isnt any info at all on a complete redesign, which seems to me that it may be headed for extinction.

oac

Wasn't there some talk back a couple of years that the LC was heading for extinction ? I recall reading this somewhere.... There was also some talk that the LX was moving upsize to the Sequoia-based platform in its re-design. Early indication was a VX designation. Now it appears it may be changed to JX. But my understanding is that the JX is a replacement for the LX, just as lexusguy pointed out, so as to further differentiate between the GX and the upmarket JX in size, heft, and engine displacement.

 
Lexus should be able to charge $70K+ for this car. Should be an able competitor to the 'Gator, ESC and RR Land Rover. I have an '01 Sequoia, and will like to see the Lexus version of this truck. It will be class-leading in many areas...

fluffy

Its confirm that it is GS300. In Singapore it is already open for booking for March'05 delivery. There are 2 versions Luxury and Super Luxury. Only differences between these 2 are (a) rear pessenger side airbag, (b) back minitor and sonar, (c) side mirror with heater and memory, (d) front and driver seat airconditioner and (e) steering wheel leather+wood. There's no GS430 in Singapore. Price is US$103,000 for Luxury and US$112,000 for the Super Luxury versions. Both comes standard with Mark Levinson sound system and 225/50R17 alloy wheels and autolevelling and adaptive front lighting system.

alpha01

The LX dates to 1998. Thats only as old as the soon to be replaced GS. If Toyota is indeed planning a major overhaul for the TLC and LX in the future, I see no issue to maintain a line consisting of RX, GX, JX, and LX as the flagship. Sales of the LX have not tanked, either, and have been fairly stable for the past few years. It is a majorly profitable model given its modest sales, given the amortized fixed costs associated with such a mature design, the fact that there is very little marketing on the car, no incentives, etc... margins remain wide. To kill it just for the sake of killing it doesnt make sense to me, as long as there is a Land Cruiser around.

 

It would also mark a first that Lexus is directly replacing one model with another model having a new designation. (As in, the JX taking the LX's spot). If the current LX is to be replaced, why would Lexus not just continue to use the LX moniker on its next SUV flagship?

 

Just my .02.

 

~alpha

rwoods

Lexisguy,

 

How about Amos 'n Andy?

 

Happy Holidays,

 

Bob

Long Island

oac

Good points, alpha.

 

But then why would Lexus introduce the JX and keep the LX around ? Makes no sense to me. I guess we will have to wait and see what they decide to do with their SUV line-up - RX/GX/LX/--- by MY2007.

alpha01

Well, for one, marketing purposes. The Land Cruiser is actually smaller than the Sequoia by a good margin. Same would go for the LX and JX. The JX could be positioned as a more family oriented suburban vehicle, with the LX's target remaining the haute couture off roading vehicle- such as the extremely capable but very luxurious Land Rover Range Rover. (The Sequioa is not nearly as good an off-roader as the LC, for example).

 

Sorry for the off-topic, but we're talking about the direction of Lexus, its kind of in the realm...

 

~alpha

oac

The Sequoia's 4WD setup is EXACTLY the same as the one in the LC, so I don't see how the latter is a better off-roader than the former.

 

I can see how Lexus positions the JX above the LX, but the difference is gonna be marginal increment between the two. I own a Sequoia and currently looking to upgrade to an LX (for the wife). Not because of size, but level of luxury and refinement, and of course, the L badge. How much more can Lexus put into the JX to make it a higher value than the LX, besides SIZE ?

 

But if buyers want a Sequoia-sized Lexus, then the JX would be a good seller. I could see myself in a JX, but price will be a huge factor for me. The LX may just suffice.

 

Sorry for the detour, but its still technically about the future releases of Lexus.

 

lexusguy

I'm with oac on this one. Traditionally more money is supposed to get you a bigger SUV. Because of the costs differences between Sequoia and TLC, a JX470 would most likely cost less than LX470, yet be larger, and of course since the LX is such an old model, I'm sure it would outfeature it quite a bit as well. I dont see the JX470 costing more than an LX, other than if Lexus decided to force it into being a top end model by jacking up the price another $20 grand. '98 is quite old for a model. If Lexus had plans for a replacement, it should've been out now.

alpha01

"The Sequoia's 4WD setup is EXACTLY the same as the one in the LC, so I don't see how the latter is a better off-roader than the former."

 

Angles of approach and departure.

 

~alpha

gunsup

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Great photos of 2006 GS300 AWD here:

 

http://www.clublexus.com/index.php/article/articleview/2474/1/10/

00boxsters

"A model stands next to Toyota's new sedan, the "Lexus GS 350" during a news conference in Tokyo, capital of Japan Dec. 21, 2004"

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?mode=viewtopic&t- opicID=57888&num=20&pageNo=7

 

I'd post the pic if this forum allowed?

lexusguy

looks like you owe me a fiver, oac. Thats definitely a production GS THREE HUNDRED in all those pics.

00boxsters

http://english.people.com.cn/200412/22/eng20041222_168251.html

 

check message #925 GS350

 

http://investing.reuters.co.uk/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.asp- x?type=companyNews&symbol=7267.T&storyID=96569+21-Dec-200- 4+RTRS

hpowders

Wow! On sale in the USA in March! Alright!

boomsama

Apparently the GS will be released as the GS300 in parts of the world when it is released in march 2005. However, when the GS is released in Japan in August 2005, it will be released as the GS350 and not the GS300.

 

Geee i hope the GS350 comes down here first

lexusguy

Thats very strange. Does anybody have any idea why theres apparently both cars?

00boxsters

Either Toyota is/was trying to conceal its 3.5L intentions or they are committing economic stupidity using two different engines.

boomsama

There will not be both cars together on the market in the same place at the same time. This is just like how they still sell the ES300 in Australia, but have the ES330 in the US. Same goes for the RX.