[voltron1011]

The 8-speed automatic sounds cool. After 1st gear, the lockup feature stays locked for the remaining 7 gear changes. It can do this by rev matching the engine to the transmission. So, in essence there is no negative effects of torque-converter power loss. This sounds BETTER than any other transmission on the market (smg, dsg, triptron, etc, etc) because the engine and tranny are litterally locked together all the time (even during gear changes).

[Joop!]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

The 8-speed automatic sounds cool...

Why 8-gears??? And a automatic??? I still can't get the point of a 6-speed gearbox, let's stand alone 8. You have more than enough with 5 gears.

Sportscar --> Manual Transmission please

The 8-speed auto will probably a marketing thing

[ScBlacksunshine]

Originally Posted by brummelenj

Why 8-gears??? And a automatic??? I still can't get the point of a 6-speed gearbox, let's stand alone 8. You have more than enough with 5 gears.

Sportscar --> Manual Transmission please

The 8-speed auto will probably a marketing thing

Haha don't you get it, the more the better, like 32" rims begats 26" begats 20"...so therefore 8 speed begats 6 speed until 12 speed comes out

[picus]

Well actually there is a reason for more gears - keeps the car in it's optimum power range at all times, saves on gas by running a high gear when cruising, etc. I'm not saying I like it, just saying there's a reason for it.

[herbz]

Originally Posted by picus

Well actually there is a reason for more gears - keeps the car in it's optimum power range at all times, saves on gas by running a high gear when cruising, etc. I'm not saying I like it, just saying there's a reason for it.

+1

believe it or not more gears are better for performance and economy...

unfortunately i've red that Lexus' 8 speed has problems "knowing" the proper gear to be in at the proper time. this is more a computer issue than a mechanical issue, but still.

[uabimmer]

Not liking it one bit. The front is like some spaceship and the rear is a little out-of-this-world. (not in a good way)
-rims look nice though

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by herbz

+1

believe it or not more gears are better for performance and economy...

unfortunately i've red that Lexus' 8 speed has problems "knowing" the proper gear to be in at the proper time. this is more a computer issue than a mechanical issue, but still.

Actually 8 gears is used by Lexus bcs it is one gear more than the 7 gear MB tranny. Experts agree that optimal fuel eficiency is already reached with 6 gears (note that in fact for fuel saving the cars actually start in 2nd gear-contradicting the theory that more gears enhance fuel efficency). The extra gears are in fact usefull for performance (keeping the revs in the optimum band).

Neither 7 gears nor 8 gears are necessary for that. It is marketing and MB wanted to outdo BMW and Lexus then said, if MG can count to seven Lexus can count to 8.

[d3l0n]

My number one jap car...
(the skyline of course)

Originally Posted by Norsk

Oh Yeah,

That's it, we are hater

http://macnugget.org/stuff/Rice-Goggles.gif

We simply know how to appreciate good design and quality. Just as when BMW Bungled the 7 Series ... Now they've refined it a bit.

The Lexus IS-F --> "F" is for FUGLY!

It's not just because something comes from Japan that we won't like it; just as a lot of people here find the new GT-R from Nissan (Japanese) bad ass & looks good Pics below.

[BK]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

So, in essence there is no negative effects of torque-converter power loss. This sounds BETTER than any other transmission on the market (smg, dsg, triptron, etc, etc) because the engine and tranny are litterally locked together all the time (even during gear changes).

I'm not sure I understand how that is possible without a transmission like a CVT. Is there somewhere online that explains this, or can you explain it more? Or is the Lexus some version of a CVT that computer-simulates 8 gears?

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by BK

I'm not sure I understand how that is possible without a transmission like a CVT. Is there somewhere online that explains this, or can you explain it more? Or is the Lexus some version of a CVT that computer-simulates 8 gears?

It's an actual 8 speed tranny, not a rubber band between two cones with simulated gears.... From what I understand, this is how it works:

1. The car starts in 1st gear like any other automatic. The engine and transmission are connected via the torque-converter, so that it won't stall out.

2. Once in second gear, the torque-converter locks up permanently.

3. All subsequent gear changes are made by the engine being able to exactly match the speed of the transmission (just like rev-matching in a manual). In essence, it's able to simulate a synchro-gear. Thus, it is able to keep the transmission locked until it comes to a stop again, where the process starts all over.

I believe it would only do this during sport driving... During normal driving it would act like a normal slushbox.





Here's a quote from the press release:

"The IS-F engine is mated to the world's first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission. A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed that allows for a direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears. In Drive mode, the IS-F transmission performs with great smoothness, and the torque converter allows for great launch ability for fast standing-start acceleration that will register a zero-to-60 time in less than 4.9 seconds."

[JO3]

You're right.

Basically, what a torque converter is, are 2 turbines and fluid. One turbine connected to the engine, the other to the transmission. When you step on the gas, the input turbine spins faster, causing the fluid to spin, which spins the output turbine. As you can see, because of the transfer of energy through fluid, this is where most of the inefficiencies of torque converters appear.

With a locking torque converter, you essentially have a clutch that engages itself and creates a "direct connection."

[findtom]

I like the design of the IS, but that car is tasteless compared to a BMW M car. It looks like a prop car from the fast and the furious.

[JO3]

Originally Posted by Greeney

What makes no sense is that the thing is only rated to go .1 faster 0-60 than the IS350??

since it's got 8 gears... it probably does at least 2 gear changes by the time it gets to 60mph. That will slow the time down.

1/4 mile times should be more interesting.

[musc]

It better be fast, because it sure is ugly

[Josh49]

I wouldn't mind another top gear on the e90. At around 85-90 (traffic regularly moves around there), the car's rpm are too high to get good gas mileage. I couldn't imagine the poor gas mileage people are getting in Europe when cruising at 130. Obviously you're generating a huge amount of drag at that point, but it still seems another higher gear would get you better gas mileage.

At around 90 mph I get IIRC ~21 mpg...

[toolfan]

The best part of the car are the seats! I mean, look at the adjustments. Forward, back, up, down, awwwww snap! My seats only go forward! I am so jealous! Who needs bolsters or thigh support in a sports car?

[esbezee92]

wow they could have just tt'd the 306 hp 350 engine and put in a mt and tons of people would have bought that (i can say i would've love to own one)