2006 LC & LX470 horsepower increase

[MoJ]

Sorry if it's a repost.....

Just read in Car and Driver that the 100 series will be upgraded to have variable valve timing, "upping horsepower to 275." New grill, headlamps, and taillamps as well.

 

[ndcruiser]

Yes (awesome, and sounds great about 3000 RPM), yes, yes, and yes.

 

[rzpapp]

Yes different timing and cams, but the rest is the same. The Tundra and Sequioa had the upgrade 2 years ago... I wonder why it took so long on Toyotas flagship, I am guessing that the V8 is not there "flagship" engine the TD is?

 

[tabraha]

IIRC the line of thought folks came up with was the plant location used to assemble the 100 vs the location of the Tundra and Sequoia plants. I don't think there is anyone that has the real information on why.

 

[SWUtah]

IIRC the line of thought folks came up with was the plant location used to assemble the 100 vs the location of the Tundra and Sequoia plants. I don't think there is anyone that has the real information on why.

Same engine used in 4runner and GX470 in 2005 and that plant is located only a few miles from the LX/LC plant in Japan. Must be another reason?

 

[tabraha]

Maybe so

 

[Jim_Chow]

Same engine used in 4runner and GX470 in 2005 and that plant is located only a few miles from the LX/LC plant in Japan. Must be another reason?

My guess is the competition in the US light truck/SUV market is favoring V8 engines around 300 horses. If you have substantially fewer horses than that, you won't be a player, even if your engine has more torque and pulls better. Bottom line is the influence the horsepower numbers have on marketing and sales (plus an updated body style), and sales is what it's all about for automakers, right? After all, the 4runner alone outsells the 100 like 100:1 or more.

 

[ryanjl]

More like 10:1, but that doesn't change what you are saying.

My guess is that they wanted the lesser models to be more of the guinea pigs for the newer engine tech, make sure all quality issues are resolved before they stick it in the crown jewel.

And, as rumors had been circulating 3 years ago that the Land Cruiser would be updated by now, they may have decided at that time to wait until the new model arrived. VVT turns out to be great, LC not being updated for another year or so, so they drop it in now.

 

[a990dna]

In reference to the advertised HP/Torque ratings, I noticed something odd during my comparisons while trying to decide on a new vehicle.

Published Ratings:

2005 LC = 235HP @ 4800 rpm, 320 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm
2006 LC = 275HP @ 4800 rpm, 332 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm w/VVT

2005 GX470 = 270HP @ 5400 rpm, 330 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm w/VVT
2006 GX470 = 263HP @ 5400 rpm, 323 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm w/VVT

Notice the decrease on the 2006 GX470.
Notice the similar torque ratings on the 2006 GX470 and 2005 Land Cruiser.

Makes you wonder if these ratings are accurate or being overstated and/or manipulated to keep up with the competition....

My guess is the competition in the US light truck/SUV market is favoring V8 engines around 300 horses. If you have substantially fewer horses than that, you won't be a player, even if your engine has more torque and pulls better. Bottom line is the influence the horsepower numbers have on marketing and sales (plus an updated body style), and sales is what it's all about for automakers, right? After all, the 4runner alone outsells the 100 like 100:1 or more.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I believe the decrease in horsepower (also affects the V8 4runner) is due to a different method of measurement this year (with load rather than w/o load or something of this sort). Supposedly the vvti v8 has less output on the 4runner than Tundra/Sequoia due to lack of engine space for additional plumbing/less efficient exhaust manifold or something. I imagine the same goes for the LC vs GX.

 

[Pskhaat]

The 2UZ-FE peaks both HP /and/ Torque at the same RPM?

 

[a990dna]

The 2UZ-FE peaks both HP /and/ Torque at the same RPM?

My error, corrected.

 

[Pskhaat]

No prob, honestly didn't know the figures, so I gotta store those away.