The
Lexus LS is supposedly in line for a V6 engine. The suggested powerplant is
Toyota's 3.5-liter unit tuned to produce 310 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. A comparable car would be
BMW's 740i, offered in Europe with a 3.0-liter inline putting out 326 horses and 332 lb-ft. The Toyota's numbers are down slightly, but since the V8-powered LS460 already weighs less than the BMW 740i, the additional weight savings of a
Lexus V6 should allow it to move along just fine.
If a V6 LS does bow with the coming, facelifted car, we might not see it in America. The trend among automakers is not to bring their frugal luxury to our shores; BMW also offers its 7 Series in Europe with a 3.0-liter diesel, for example. On the other hand, the six-cylinder LS could help dress up Lexus's CAFE numbers, and assuming California's new, more restrictive emissions standards get the green light, we think that might make a V6 LS even more likely.
[Source: Paul Tan]
If a V6 LS does bow with the coming, facelifted car, we might not see it in America. The trend among automakers is not to bring their frugal luxury to our shores; BMW also offers its 7 Series in Europe with a 3.0-liter diesel, for example. On the other hand, the six-cylinder LS could help dress up Lexus's CAFE numbers, and assuming California's new, more restrictive emissions standards get the green light, we think that might make a V6 LS even more likely.
[Source: Paul Tan]
