Lexus aims to beat BMW at torque
Lexus has confirmed that it is aiming for its forthcoming 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to beat the same-capacity BMW engine in terms of torque and match their current 380Nm 3.5-litre V6.
While speaking at the Tokyo motor show, after the reveal of the LF-NX Turbo concept, Teru Ogawa – Lexus group manager of product design – said that as far as torque is concerned, they are now aiming to reach the same level as a V6 engine. The LF-NX Turbo concept is the first time Lexus has made a turbo engine.
When pressed for specifics on the engine, he said that the engine will be a 3.5-litre engine and also confirmed that they are aiming to beat the BMW 2.0-litre turbo four in terms of torque.
Ogawa-san also added that in terms of engine itself the turbocharger adds a little bit more weight than the 2.5-litre V6 engine. When the engine replaces the one in the Lexus IS250 as it is expected to do, which means a further weight increase on the 1645kg sedan, which already weighs 190kg more than a BMW 320i.
The product design manager also said that at the current stage, they only have a 2.0-litre and that the company is still working on the development of other engines. When asked whether these will be smaller- or larger-capacity turbo four-cylinder engines than the 2.0-litre they previewed at the show, Ogawa-san said ‘both’.
He did also confirm that they did all but rule out using turbo engines teamed with already torque-heavy electric motor.
The reason for the delayed introduction of smaller turbo engines was cited to be that Lexus believes them to be too-high noise, vibration and harshness levels when compared to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in particular.
Lexus is expected to roll out the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder first in the US, but he would not confirm this expect to say that they are planning to introduce or start to introduce it from 2014.
