RE: Lexus limo gets AMG snarl

RE: Lexus limo gets AMG snarl

Thursday 22nd November 2012

Lexus limo gets AMG snarl

'600hp+' hyperbarge has been created by Toyota Motorsport in Germany



Vast amounts of power are always right up our street here at PH, so the news this morning that TMG (aka Toyota Motorsport GmbH) is in the process of building a monster version of Lexus's new LS limo got us sitting a bit straighter.

The TS650, as the car’s been christened, will feature a twin-turbo version of the company’s 5.0-litre V8 engine, which will be rated at ‘around 600hp’. Top speed would therefore be suitably ridiculous, possibly even approaching 200mph.  

Carbon roof will be a key feature
Carbon roof will be a key feature
No pictures of the car have been released yet, but TMG did send out a load of shots of the body upgrades such as the carbon-fibre roof. Carbon-fibre will also feature heavily in the aero pack, which will include enormous, scooped bumpers, a whopping boot spoiler and chunky side skirts. Six-pot brakes and the obligatory suspension upgrades also look likely.

Unfortunately, the car will only be a prototype for now, but the noises emanating from Toyota Motorsport suggest that a very limited number may make production – assuming Toyota bosses give it the go-ahead. Whether that happens hinges largely on the public’s reaction when the TS650 is given its debut in Germany at the Essen motor show this December, but the rumours are that Toyota boss Akio Toyoda himself has had a go.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumours of a fast LS under development. Back in 2011, pictures of a hot LS lapping the ’ring did the rounds – back then, it was known as the LS-F TMG Edition, so we think it’s reasonable to assume that the latest prototype will be an update of that car, if not based heavily upon it.

F-Sport shows LS's sporting potential
F-Sport shows LS's sporting potential
And Lexus has already signalled its intent to build a sportier version of the all-new LS with the arrival of the F-Sport. With a TorSen limited-slip diff, Brembo six-pot calipers, a lower ride height and a 386bhp 4.6-litre V8, this is itself already a pretty serious driver's car.

Even if it doesn’t get made, the TS650 will at least hint at a much less genteel future for Lexus and Toyota. Toyota has indicated a desire to release TMG-fettled versions of its cars, and the first road-legal TMG model is slated to arrive in 2013. If this prototype is anything to go by, the sub-brand will likely be pitched at the pure performance driver, in line with the Mercedes Black Series and Audi’s RS range.

But neither of those ranges features a rival to the TS650. In fact, the Lexus is somewhat in a class of its own – even the S63 AMG can ‘only’ muster 537bhp. Which begs the question: will anyone buy a car like this? Or is it just too big and too powerful to make a case for itself?

Author
Discussion

CO2000

Original Poster:

3,177 posts

208 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Sounds good in this day & age biggrin

will261058

1,115 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Looks like the first Lexus I actually wouldnt mind owning!

markh450

85 posts

210 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
TMG vs AMG, couldn't Lexus have come up with a more original name for their performance division and badge style as well as opposed to just copying the market leader??

Surely Lexus have been in this market long enough and have a sound enough history in motorsport / performance cars through toyota to bring a bit of their own brand innovation...

corcoran

533 posts

273 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
YAWNS

STRETCHES

GOES BACK TO SLEEP

garypotter

1,483 posts

149 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Good luck Toyota, I love the IS-F, off to the classified with tissues.

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
600bhp...

st JUST GOT SERIOUS!

Love the look of it as well, looks a lot less bland than the Audi rivals, although the S-class still has it in road presence.

600bhp though, that's proper Brabus territory.

gareth_r

5,712 posts

236 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Much cheaper to build your own from an old LS400. smile

Here's some inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY3gJkbN-l0

Ollie997

256 posts

213 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Would be great if they go ahead with it - as previously said that is serious power.

Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
"hints at a much less genteel future for Lexus"

Well, I'll go against the grain and say I think it's pointless and don't get it.

If I want a fast, firm, carbon-laden barge which likes to think it can live on race tracks - then I'll head to Germany. They do this well and the choice is plentiful.

If I want to waft home in a silent cocoon of refinement, whilst listening to possibly the best in-car sound systems known to human kind to soothe my troubles away - then I'll head over to Lexus.

I thought Lexus was a luxury brand.

shout Lexus, hold you nerve! I know you are seeing sales slip to M, RS and AMG, but give those owners time to realise that the car they bought is not as well suited to the task they purchased it for and they'll come find you. No need for any of this 'handling' or 'bodykits'.

Edited by Matt UK on Thursday 22 November 15:44

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Matt UK said:
shout Lexus, hold you nerve! I know you are seeing sales slip to M, RS and AMG, but give those owners time to realise that the car they bought is not as well suited to the task they purchased it for and they'll come find you.
I'm going to offend some AMG/M/RS owners here, but it's not directed to everybody. Imho most of the sales that go to AMG/M/RS barges is because they want "top of the crop" because they can afford it.

They buy an SL65 not because they want to go fast or love the sound, but because the neighbour/colleague has got the SL500.

TMG will have a hard time going up against that no matter what the performance figures.

FWDRacer

3,564 posts

223 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Alan Partridge never had it so good.

kaliber

42 posts

175 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Picture with rear light clusters look very 1990's toyota carina

Yuck! and thats without mentioning the gawdy carbon fibe bits that look like halfords stick on jobs.

600bhp always improves the situation... a wait and see one i think


http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?start=121&um=1&...

and this

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&hl=en&...

Edited by kaliber on Thursday 22 November 16:01


Edited by kaliber on Thursday 22 November 16:02

blackchrome917

69 posts

147 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
FWDRacer said:
Alan Partridge never had it so good.
+1

trando

722 posts

170 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Matt UK said:
"hints at a much less genteel future for Lexus"

Well, I'll go against the grain and say I think it's pointless and don't get it.

If I want a fast, firm, carbon-laden barge which likes to think it can live on race tracks - then I'll head to Germany. They do this well and the choice is plentiful.

If I want to waft home in a silent cocoon of refinement, whilst listening to possibly the best in-car sound systems known to human kind to soothe my troubles away - then I'll head over to Lexus.

I thought Lexus was a luxury brand.

shout Lexus, hold you nerve! I know you are seeing sales slip to M, RS and AMG, but give those owners time to realise that the car they bought is not as well suited to the task they purchased it for and they'll come find you. No need for any of this 'handling' or 'bodykits'.

Edited by Matt UK on Thursday 22 November 15:44
Lexus have already gone down the less genteel route with the LFA. If they're going to build cars like that then they're bound to want to replicate it elsewhere in the range...

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Matt UK said:
If I want to waft home in a silent cocoon of refinement, whilst listening to possibly the best in-car sound systems known to human kind to soothe my troubles away - then I'll head over to Lexus.
You're referring to the Mark Levinson branded installation?
The one made by Pioneer rather than Madrigal Labs (a division of Harmon Kardon)?
Next time you have a chance, step inside a Panamera, and listen to the Burmester system.
Highly confident it'll show the Levinson as fitted to the Lexus for what it really is - a cross-marketing exercise.

gumsie

680 posts

208 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
600bhp...

st JUST GOT SERIOUS!

Love the look of it as well, looks a lot less bland than the Audi rivals, although the S-class still has it in road presence.

600bhp though, that's proper Brabus territory.
Mercedes should just buy Brabus and tone them down a little. Same performance but a little less noise and visual impact would be sweet. There'd be little reason to buy anything else, especially a Toyota.

Sump

5,484 posts

166 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Lexus is just wonderful. And running costs are really reasonable aswell. Good dealers, backup of Toyota if you need a part, or need something for cheaper.

I posted in the barge thread the comparison against my E39 530i with my current LS430. A bit off topic but just shows how Lexus is really not that bad. Bearing in mind the my Ls is one class above the 5 series. I bet the running costs of a German equivalent would be nowhere near.

Lexus Dealer minor Service inc oil £120
BMW INDY equivalent Service Insp 1 inc oil - £200
Bmw main dealer insp 1 - £230
(I compared what was covered in a minor service and it was pretty much the same as Bmws Inspection 1 )
Lexus Brake Fluid flush at Toyota Dealer - £29.99
BMW Brake Fluid flush Indy - £50
Lexus Ferrodo Rear Pads -£25
BMW Ferrodo Rear Pads - £23
Lexus Specific Tranny Fluid - £40 / 6L
BMW Specific Tranny Fluid - £100 / 6L

Sump

5,484 posts

166 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
double

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
Europe/The UK won't buy it because it has the wrong badge. Everyone else will love it though.

tommy vercetti

11,486 posts

162 months

Thursday 22nd November 2012
quotequote all
EDLT said:
Europe/The UK won't buy it because it has the wrong badge. Everyone else will love it though.
Was just going to say that too.