Since this isn't out yet, Who is saying it is more polished? Who is saying it is smoother? I don't doubt that it is more reliable, BMW isn't known for being bulletproof, but since it is a new engine, new transmission, and revised unibody/suspension nobody can say it is more reliable than anything.

 

Since the LS460 is not out yet, that statement was made in reference to the current-gen model, the LS430 that is out now, has been stated by nearly every review I've come across to date.

So yes, it's an assumption, but Lexus has not once to date been caught making any of their models less posh than the previous one. If anything they're critisized for not gaining enough in the realm of 'sport'... but luxury is one thing they've never been critisized for ignoring from generation to generation.

 

Not bad. Wondering if an 8 speed transmission nets you much over a 6 speed.

Maybe I'll be asking if a 10 speed is any better than an 8 speed in couple years when automotive technology catches up to bicycle technology.

 

By logic you can only assume that the higher number of gears you go the more diminishing the returns are. In other words each gear that gets added, the less each gear contributes to the performance/milage/smoothness of the car.

I honestly expect 8 speeds is about as high as it will ever go. From here I think CVT/IVT takes over.

Interesting - as much hype as we heard from ZeroShift a couple years ago I haven't seen hardly any progress even in the aftermarket world, much less in the OEM world.

I told the guy that at best his tech would be a stop-gap until CVT/IVT became more capable. It's looking more and more like we might never see it at all.

 

Also worth mentioning is that this mostly confirms prior suspicions for the GS model lineup, it's getting quite a power boost.
2006 was:
GS300: 245hp
GS430: 288hp

Now for 2007 this is what we can expect to see:
GS350: 300hp
GS450H: (3.5L V6 w/ hybrid, yes I know it's stupid they call it a 450, should be a 350H IMO) - 340-350hp
GS460: 400hp & 8-speed auto. Sub 5 second 0-60 times expected!

 

Are my eyes playing tricks.... an 8 speed auto?

 

Impressive engine, Direct injection is tuning out to be a great technology. Over all the car styling look boring.

 

My point exactly on the transmission front.

Regarding the looks... Their buyers are more interested in an "elegant" looking car than an in your face Camaro.

Personally, my two favorite Lexus models, by looks, were the early 90's SCs and the first GSs.

 

19 speakers? That's like... 15 more than I need to be happy.

 

Saw it in person (the LS460L), albeit briefly. Thought it looked really sharp on the outside (way better than the GS); didn't get a chance to check out the interior much.

8 speed auto sounds like complexity for complexity's sake to me. It looks like we are entering a race kinda like the minivan cupholder wars... My car has more gears than yours!!

From what I have seen, six speeds are plenty. I didn't think too many people would be matching M-B's seven speed, and I certainly didn't expect an announcement of an 8 speed this early. Good lord. I would think even 6 speeds might come across as a bit busy. 8 forward ratios makes it seem like you'd be in the process of a shift almost as much as you'd be actually driving in an engaged ratio!

Even with their old 4 speed autos, many GM cars are near or at the top of their class in fuel economy. I'm glad they are leapfrogging the 5 speed and going to 6. To me, cars like the Grand Prix GXP would be just about perfect if they had a 6 speed auto in place of the 4 speed (OK, and RWD ). But 8?!

It will be interesting to see if this catches on and starts to trickle down, or if they decide it is absolute overkill and too costly for most volume cars for the likely very minimal (if any) gains over a 6 or 7 speed. Will the car rags someday, maybe when testing an 2011 GS against a 2011 STS for example, automatically dis the GM car as being "behind the times" even if the six speed auto is as smooth or smoother, less busy, and yields the same basic performance and fuel economy as the GS?

I'm even more surprised by this announcement from Lexus since they will have a hybrid version as well, which will enable the normal 6 speed auto (or whatever box they start with) behave as a CVT, like the current Prius does. If you can effectively turn your transmission into a CVT and offer more power in the hybrid version, is there really much of a benefit to offering an 8 speed auto? The world has gone mad, I says!

I will say again that I though the LS460L looked pretty sharp on the display turntable though.

 

I'm not sure about on the new 8-speed, but have you seen the shift times for the new IS350 6-speed? It's nuts how quick that trans can shift and still stay smooth. You would honestly not know when the car was shifting if you couldn't hear the RPM or see the tach.

 

8 Spd. Auto? Why? That is completely ridiculous! Too much shifting not enough driving.

 

Agree. The tranmission cooler will probably be larger then the engine radiator. If not... .... I wouldn't take it up in the mountains... All that shifting on a 100 degree day = BOOM.

8'speed - Our John Deer has a Powershift 8-speed...

 

I want to live in the rear quarters.

 

8gigs could hardly be considered a 'server' when my ipod has over 30 gigs.

Toyota just needs to make their cars with seemless ipod integration IMO.