What Should Lexus Build? A 2nd-generation IS300 for the rest of the world

[jruhi4]

Since the 2nd-generation Lexus was launched almost 2 years ago, a good number of you (this author included) have complained vehemently about Lexus' decision to leave a huge performance gap between the 204 hp/185 ft-lb torque of the IS250 and the 306 hp/277 ft-lb torque of the IS350. A seemingly unrelated issue also arose: the direct injection used in the 4GR-FSE (IS250) and 2GR-FSE (IS350) demands "clean", highly refined gasoline with a low sulfur content. Such gasoline may well be the norm in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia, but that is not the case in a number of markets where the Lexus IS is sold.

For markets with higher-sulfur gas, Lexus realized that the only viable course of action was to remove the direct injection from one of the new GR-FSE V6s. But which one? Using the 2.5-liter 4GR-FSE as a starting point would leave it at 190ish hp, in effect totally emasculating it. At a glance, the 3.5-liter 2GR-FSE V6's combination of direct and port fuel injection should have simplified the task of removing the direct injection, but it seems Lexus disagreed and, instead, used the 3-liter 3GR-FSE V6 from the 2006-7 Lexus GS300 (and Japanese domestic market Toyota Crown and Mark X models) as a basis to create a 2nd-generation Lexus IS300. The removal of the direct injection downgrades the 3GR-FSE V6 and its 245 hp/230 ft-lb torque to a 3GR-FE V6 producing 228 hp/221 ft-lb torque. This port injection-only V6 2nd-generation IS300 was initially sold in China and Brunei, later making its way to Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Given all this information, and BMW's 3-Series' base engine in North America being a 230-hp inline 6, it's a no-brainer that the 3GR-FSE V6 is begging to go into the 2nd-generation IS in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia/New Zealand.

Would a 2nd-generation Lexus IS300 be available with a manual transmission?
Naturally, the die-hard enthusiasts among us would fervently hope that the RA62 6-speed manual transmission from the Lexus IS250 would also be available in a V6 IS300. But would it? Unfortunately, there are more "no" signs than "yes" signs out there.

For one thing, none of the markets that sell the 3GR-FE-powered IS300 offer a manual transmission. Even the direct-injection IS250 is automatic-only throughout Asia, as well as in Italy and Spain. And a look at the Lexus IS250 spec sheet reveals that, frankly, there isn't any on-paper advantage to the manual versus the automatic. Their 0-60 mph and ¼-mile times are identical, and the manual is thirstier (20 mpg city/29 mpg highway) and 20 lbs. heavier than its automatic RWD counterpart (whose fuel economy ratings are 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway).

That doesn't even take into account the momentum building against manual transmissions in general. Just.auto.com and Autoblog remind us that 2007 is the year when, for the first time ever, more automatic than manual transmission cars are sold worldwide. Worse, an Auto Express article suggests Toyota may lead the charge in doing away with manual transmissions altogether. Us manual transmission-loving diehards can commiserate in this Garage thread.

Still, the stubborn optimists among us remind ourselves that Lexus saw fit to put together a manual transmission 1st-generation IS300 exclusively for the U.S. and Canada, and hope and pray that something similar might happen for the 2nd-generation.

So, will we see a reborn IS300?
Nothing official has been uttered by Lexus as far as reviving this much-loved Lexus model name. Yet, just over two years ago, an Automotive News/AutoWeek article reminded us that Lexus was planning to start adding mid-cycle engine upgrades à la BMW. And, indeed, we saw the 4th-generation Lexus ES upgraded from an ES300 to an ES330 just 18 months after its launch; the 2nd-generation Lexus RX upgraded from an RX330 to an RX350 4 years after its debut and, most tellingly, the North American-market 3rd-generation 6-cylinder Lexus GS upgraded from a GS300 to a GS350 just 18 months after its launch. Further, it's an open secret that, sometime during Spring 2007 the 3rd-generation V8 Lexus GS will "grow" from a GS430 to a GS460 when it receives the LS460's 1UR-FSE direct and port-injection engine. Here's hoping a reborn, 3GR-FSE V6-powered Lexus IS300 keeps the upgrades going...

[Aldo]

Can someone explain to me what the problem is exactly when using high-sulfur fuel in a direct injection engine?

[Neova]

I would be pissed if Lexus released a IS300 to replace the IS250 in a couple of years' time, 'cause I just bought one!

Lexus should have done away with the 2.5 V6 altogether and used the 3.0 V6 as the base engine to pair with the IS350' 306hp 3.5 V6. As it is, the power gap is too much and so is the price, especially in Canada, where the base IS250 RWD 6MT is $36,400 compared to IS350 base of $48,300

I only settled for the IS250 because I wanted a 6-speed manual transmission, and like many others, I was dissappointed with not having the 6MT in other models, especially the IS250 AWD. I wanted a Lexus alternative to the BMW 328xi 6MT and A4 Quattro 6MT but there isn't one.

[DEFCITYLA]

Toyota should just use the 272hp 2GR-FE that's being used in the ES350 for an IS300 here in the states and do away with the IS250.

But then the power gap would be too close and they wouldn't be able to justify the price difference.

[hotcracker69]

But can Lexus build an IS300 and maintain the same MPG? Hopefully they can do even better without utilizing hybrid technology....

[Brahmcts]

They should never have dropped the 2JZ line.... I hate Toyota for this mistake -_-

[DEFCITYLA]

Originally Posted by Brahmcts

They should never have dropped the 2JZ line.... I hate Toyota for this mistake -_-

If gas wasn't over $3.00 a gallon, I'm sure Toyota would have kept the gas-guzzling 2JZ-GE around.

Toyota has come out with some powerful V6 engines that get close or better MPG than some of Honda's high-revving 4-bangers, you can't hate Toyota for that.

[1stis300]

Any updates on the possibility of an '08 IS300 for the USA?

[jruhi4]

Originally Posted by 1stis300

Any updates on the possibility of an '08 IS300 for the USA?

I just happened to be in Torrance this past week and had a chance to chat with some of the folks at Lexus. Both Flipside909 (my counterpart at Club Lexus) and I expressed our heartfelt desire for a 2nd-gen IS300, but we received no firm answers or assurances that it would happen. Stay tuned, though, you'll know as soon as we do.

[jruhi4]

Originally Posted by Aldo

Can someone explain to me what the problem is exactly when using high-sulfur fuel in a direct injection engine?

Here, sort of, is an answer:
http://my.is/forums/5361355-post14.html

[46&2]

Originally Posted by DEFCITYLA

If gas wasn't over $3.00 a gallon, I'm sure Toyota would have kept the gas-guzzling 2JZ-GE around.

Toyota has come out with some powerful V6 engines that get close or better MPG than some of Honda's high-revving 4-bangers, you can't hate Toyota for that.

But BMW's 3.0 inline 6 gets around 30mpg in the 3 series. Certainly, Toyota could figure out how to do this. I, too, am disappointed the 2JZ was dropped and wish they would bring it back...

[Kaminari]

Part of the IS300's appeal is that they are kind of rare. If lexus re-released them you would see them every day, and you would get a lot less head turners.

[jruhi4]

Originally Posted by Kaminari

Part of the IS300's appeal is that they are kind of rare. If Lexus re-released them you would see them every day, and you would get a lot less head turners.

I think you're missing the point of my article. It's NOT about re-releasing the 1st-generation, Toyota Altezza-derived Lexus IS 300, but about sticking a 3-liter version of the GR-FSE V6 into the current, 2nd-generation Lexus IS.