RE: Lexus LS TMG Sport 650 latest
Friday 23rd August 2013
It seemed the world had forgotten about the Lexus LS Sport 650, the barmy twin-turbo V8 saloon developed by Toyota's TMG German motorsport division. But evidently the recent appearance of a new Jaguar XJR and Mercedes S63 AMG has jogged some memories at Lexus, because the Sport 650 has reappeared. Excellent news.
Yep, they're carbon-ceramics on a Lexus LSAs a quick reminder, this LS produces 650hp and 565lb ft, sufficient for a 199mph top speed and a sub-four second dash to 62 mph. It's a damn quick Lexus basically, well beyond the performance offered by an IS-F and directly comparable in fact to an LFA.
Lexus LS TMG Sport 650 latest
Yes, it still exists and yes, it is a working prototype. Come on Lexus, just make it!
Yep, they're carbon-ceramics on a Lexus LS
The car seen in the latest video is phase three of a project that began in 2010, albeit without any firm production guarantee as yet.
The clip is mostly an interview with TMG's Alastair Moffitt, who seems likely a thoroughly amicable northern lad if ever we did see one. He describes the Sport 650 as "a sweet shop for engineers", with something new being optimised and developed constantly. There's also a big old drift and some V8 rumble to close the video too, so it's worth staying until the end.
Can a viable production case be made for a 650hp Lexus LS? Alastair mentions in the video that TMG wants to be involved with road cars more, proffering the idea of "boutique" small-series production.
Given every major luxury saloon bar the BMW 7 Series has a performance flagship, we rather hope the wonderfully insane 650 can be justified. XJR v S63 v S8 v Quattroporte v Sport 650 anyone?
Discussion
t thorobertpaulson said:
GTEYE said:
A pity, but it will never be built....as I'm sure nobody would actually part with cash to buy one.
Agreed, highly likely to win the award for the car with the worst residuals in history if its ever made and someone actually buys oneI was in a Lexus dealership last weekend and pride of place was a stonking great LS of some sort.
Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
Uncle John said:
I was in a Lexus dealership last weekend and pride of place was a stonking great LS of some sort.
Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
and yet in the USA, Lexus tempts buyers quite comfortably away from the Germans. I wonder where they would choose to sell something like this...Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
I have, in the past, seen an LS600h L in the Manchester showroom. I think it was £97K.
To be honest, if I had £97K - I would not even spend it on a big barge of a car whether it was a Jag/BMW/Merc or Lexus for that matter. Any of those will lose £10Ks every year as the second hand demand for huge new cars is not there. Bigs cars do make a tempting bargain some times. A half price Jag XJ 2-3 years old for £30K or less would tempt me more than spending £30K on something new but mundane.
To be honest, if I had £97K - I would not even spend it on a big barge of a car whether it was a Jag/BMW/Merc or Lexus for that matter. Any of those will lose £10Ks every year as the second hand demand for huge new cars is not there. Bigs cars do make a tempting bargain some times. A half price Jag XJ 2-3 years old for £30K or less would tempt me more than spending £30K on something new but mundane.
My dad's recent cars were BMW 750 V12 Sport, same again in long wheelbase and an Audi A8 V8 TDi
Recently, he bought an LS. I said to him "Dad, you're 69, go for comfort over driving experience because you don't tear around like a 19 year old anymore. The Lexus LS will offer all the comfort and (straight line) performance of the others and it'll suit you more into retirement"
It does all of those things as he wafts about in near silence and about as much comfort as could be asked for but even he, with his sedate and 'absolutely nowhere near sporty' driving attitude describes it as "incredibly boring to drive" and follows up with "I wish I'd kept the Audi" (dull driver confirmation!)
Lexus aren't known for a sporty drive and a 'race' division just isn't necessary to them, not like the M division is to BMW. The M division compliments BMW - a 'Lexus race' division is as parallel to the brand as the M25 is to...well, pretty much anything.
Lexus are known for quality and refinement - so why then, does it look like it's just been driven through Halfords shop window?
No Lexus. Stick to what you know. But stop asking £100,000 for the LS600h, that's just silly.
Recently, he bought an LS. I said to him "Dad, you're 69, go for comfort over driving experience because you don't tear around like a 19 year old anymore. The Lexus LS will offer all the comfort and (straight line) performance of the others and it'll suit you more into retirement"
It does all of those things as he wafts about in near silence and about as much comfort as could be asked for but even he, with his sedate and 'absolutely nowhere near sporty' driving attitude describes it as "incredibly boring to drive" and follows up with "I wish I'd kept the Audi" (dull driver confirmation!)
Lexus aren't known for a sporty drive and a 'race' division just isn't necessary to them, not like the M division is to BMW. The M division compliments BMW - a 'Lexus race' division is as parallel to the brand as the M25 is to...well, pretty much anything.
Lexus are known for quality and refinement - so why then, does it look like it's just been driven through Halfords shop window?
No Lexus. Stick to what you know. But stop asking £100,000 for the LS600h, that's just silly.
Uncle John said:
I was in a Lexus dealership last weekend and pride of place was a stonking great LS of some sort.
Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
Really? Given it's pricing over here undercuts Mercedes, I'd pick most Lexi over them any day of the week. Thing with them is that they come pretty well equipped, and lots of equipment is added in "trim levels" that hike the price 5k - 10k at once, rather than individual options that may appear cheaper but in the end are much more expensive on Mercedes/BMW.Very impressive looking and no doubt a good car but it was 67K!!!!!!
If I had that sort of money I wouldn't be in a Lexus garage that's for sure and I think that's largely their problem.
Great service and attention to detail from the staff though.
As for this car, what happened here? Lexus has a very beautiful lineup these days with the new IS and GS, yet this looks, as mentioned, like a souped up Mondeo.
However, this could well be just a testbed and if they do decide to make it it will look completely different. From what I can tell that's still built on the "old" LS.
For reference, this is the 2013 LS (looks as good as the Merc imho, and a lot better than the 7er):
While I think the car in the article looks like it's build on the 2010 LS (correct me if I'm wrong):
Edited by ZesPak on Friday 23 August 17:37
ZesPak said:
Really? Given it's pricing over here undercuts Mercedes, I'd pick most Lexi over them any day of the week. Thing with them is that they come pretty well equipped, and lots of equipment is added in "trim levels" that hike the price 5k - 10k at once, rather than individual options that may appear cheaper but in the end are much more expensive on Mercedes/BMW.
As for this car, what happened here? Lexus has a very beautiful lineup these days with the new IS and GS, yet this looks, as mentioned, like a souped up Mondeo.
However, this could well be just a testbed and if they do decide to make it it will look completely different. From what I can tell that's still built on the "old" LS.
For reference, this is the 2013 LS (looks as good as the Merc imho, and a lot better than the 7er):
While I think the car in the article looks like it's build on the 2010 LS (correct me if I'm wrong):
good spotAs for this car, what happened here? Lexus has a very beautiful lineup these days with the new IS and GS, yet this looks, as mentioned, like a souped up Mondeo.
However, this could well be just a testbed and if they do decide to make it it will look completely different. From what I can tell that's still built on the "old" LS.
For reference, this is the 2013 LS (looks as good as the Merc imho, and a lot better than the 7er):
While I think the car in the article looks like it's build on the 2010 LS (correct me if I'm wrong):
Edited by ZesPak on Friday 23 August 17:37
you are in no need of correction
I'm a massive Lexus fan, and have owned the ls430.
They've won the jd powers quality survey in the us for something like 14 of the last 15 years. As far as I'm concerned, quality and Lexus go hand in hand.
The idea of one with 650 bhp is icing on the cake to me. I would love to take my next ls in to get it modded to that level, so if there was a FACTORY upgrade, I'd be asking them to take my money asap.
As for people complaining about the cost. You're kidding, right? We pay around 120,000 pounds here in Australia for the Lexus, so that is positively a bargain. And before you guys talk about income, I have worked in the UK in IT, and I get roughly the same salary there. In fact, why the hell aren't I back there right now?
You guys have great cars available at relatively cheap prices, and housing that is much more affordable than here. The land of milk and honey is yours for the asking. Enjoy it!
They've won the jd powers quality survey in the us for something like 14 of the last 15 years. As far as I'm concerned, quality and Lexus go hand in hand.
The idea of one with 650 bhp is icing on the cake to me. I would love to take my next ls in to get it modded to that level, so if there was a FACTORY upgrade, I'd be asking them to take my money asap.
As for people complaining about the cost. You're kidding, right? We pay around 120,000 pounds here in Australia for the Lexus, so that is positively a bargain. And before you guys talk about income, I have worked in the UK in IT, and I get roughly the same salary there. In fact, why the hell aren't I back there right now?
You guys have great cars available at relatively cheap prices, and housing that is much more affordable than here. The land of milk and honey is yours for the asking. Enjoy it!
Lexus in the EU have an issue with the Yen vs Euro and GBP exchange rates. here in the US a top end Lexus is only £54,000. Sadly taxes etc in the UK and the Euro zone really hurt the biggest cars. They may lack visual excitement but for build quality and after sales service they leave everybody else for dead....and this is exactly what most motorists want. This car will be made but may not be sold in the UK. The LS range in the UK is a very slow seller, elsewhere they sell very well. Its all about the price sadly.
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