8 Speed Auto. Overkill?

[louiegz]

So I've seen these Lexus comercials for the LS with an 8 speed automatic. Do we realy need 8 speeds? I only have 4 and wish I had 5, but 8? I wonder what the advantage is. Must be nice to have these extra ratios but it seems like they're making a transmission more complicated than it needs to be.

[EQwhipD]

I would have more of a problem with the transmission shifting every 4 miles an hour during acceleration. On a side note, the automatic parallel parking feature is pretty cool!-EQwhipD

[pito11213]

I would love to test drive it though.

I assume it will probably get good highway gas mileage with those 8 gears.Must be fun from the light though.

[Q451990]

My guess is that they're trying to keep the engine in a "sweet spot" either for horsepower or emissions requirements. Our G35's one disappointment is that it runs at about 3100RPM at 80MPH. Rough after driving a Q that drops down nicely on the interstate...

The G is obviously geared for around-town peppy driving. It seemed like a lot of shifting at first, but it's pretty smooth, so I've gotten used to it...

Unfortunatley the '07 G still has a five speed transmission... not sure if the gearing is different though.

Heath

[elwesso]

im sure you wont always go through all 8 gears... Im sure under low acceleration it skips gears for smoothness... maybe does like a 1-4 shift (would probably be similar to a 2-3 shift in a Q)... It probably doesnt start in 1st gear either.

[hannibal]

^ word, kinda low CHevy's (old?) skip shift one the Corvette F-bodys. Thats one advantage an 8 psd has over a CVT transmission. The other is being able to handle more torque.

[Skibane]

Do we realy need 8 speeds?

In the luxury car field, it has been shown that "more" definitely does a better job of ego enhancement than "less". Thus, 8 speeds is indeed better than 4, and 12 is even better than 8.

When it comes to luxury rides, you simply can't have too many of anything.

[maxnix]

My guess is that they're trying to keep the engine in a "sweet spot" either for horsepower or emissions requirements. Our G35's one disappointment is that it runs at about 3100RPM at 80MPH. Rough after driving a Q that drops down nicely on the interstate...

The G is obviously geared for around-town peppy driving. It seemed like a lot of shifting at first, but it's pretty smooth, so I've gotten used to it...

Unfortunatley the '07 G still has a five speed transmission... not sure if the gearing is different though.

Heath

Why the 6MT always attracted me, but not for urban rush hour freeway parking lot driving. The engines were more powerful too, but I still didn't like the top end buzzyness compared to the VH and VK V8.

New ones should be interesting with considerably beefed up block and internals and updated and stiffer chassis, new interior.

[Q45tech]

Something to repair on the kitchen table.

[louiegz]

New ones should be interesting with considerably beefed up block and internals and updated and stiffer chassis, new interior.

The new G is beautiful. Me likey! I like it better than the M. The M is starting to look stale, and in such a short amount of time. The only thing I wish is that the AWD model came with the 6 speed MT. If BMW can do it, why can't Infiniti? Problem with lazy Americans that don't like to shift.

[BadQ45t]

The Lexus LS is touted at something like 28 highway due to the 8 speed. I'm am interested in driving one out of sheer curiosity.

[Q45tech]

Unfortunately they are still publishing the MPG using the old EPA method which will be revised in 2008........................Highway is defined at 48 mph average and a never exceed 61 mph no AC or passengers or trunk weight.

I'm sure it will be a little better than last years 25/18 mpg [with the 5AT]