Lexus launches GS350 and IS350 in Japan
As you might know, Toyota is going to launch the Lexus brand in its home market for the first time on August 30. Yes, the Lexus cars are equivalent to the previously Toyota-badged Altezza, Windom, Celsior, Soarer etc. What catches my attention is the GS350. Yes, the Japanese version gets the new 3.5 V6, unlike the 3.0 V6 in overseas GS300. The engine is rated at 315 hp and 278 lbft.
The new IS350 is also to be launched in Japan, where its output is rated at 318 hp and 280 lbft. All the figures here are rated according to JIS standard of course. Interestingly, in Japan IS350 is just 40 kg lighter than its bigger sister GS350, although it is 255 mm shorter and runs a 120 mm shorter wheelbase.
In the USA, however, the IS350 is rated at 306 hp and 277 lbft according to SAE standard - still the highest figure for the 3.5-liter class, but no match with the Japanese data.
Source www.autozine.org
