#v6

As Lexus’ GS enters it’s fourth generation, the car has been redesigned to be sportier and more focused on the driving experience. The GS350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 305-hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. It has a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds and on a sad note for the V8 lovers, the GS460 has been discontinued.

On July 13, Rainer Zietlow and his team set a new world record for driving the length of the Pan-American Highway covering nearly 16,000 miles  through 14 countries in a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel SUV.

For 2012, Lincoln has lowered the price of its not-so-successful EcoBoost MKT three-row crossover by $3,000. There are no equipment of styling changes for this model year, but Lincoln is hoping the lower price will make the car more desirable to consumers. For 2012, the MKT will no longer have the all-wheel drive model with the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6. Instead, the AWD model with the 355-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 will cost $46,295 with the price reduction.

The world of Formula One has been flipped upside down by new regulations approving the switch from current V8 engines to V6 turbos. The rev limiter has also been lowered from 18,000 rpm to 15,000 as a major change. As a result, many companies associated with the commercial side of the sport are very concerned about a decline in popularity. Renault and the FIA want to see F1 become more environmentally active while Ferrari and Bernie Ecclestone feel that abandoning what F1 has become known for will affect ticket sales.

The V6 powered version of the Ford F-150 outsold the V8 variant for the first time in the vehicle’s history, signalling a dramatic shift in consumer tastes that has left Ford rushing to meet demand for the new V6 engines.

The 2012 Infiniti FX performance crossover is about to hit dealerships and will feature some extensive upgrades. For 2012, the FX model will receive a revised front grille and front fascia design, revised meter illumination, standard heated front seats on all models and the new Limited Edition FX35 AWD model.

Formula 1 has decided to implement the 1.6-liter V6 for the 2014 race year. Teams have been grumbling over the 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder plants but are more eager to compromise with the V6.

As is happening across the General Motor’s lineup, the Buick LaCrosse is getting a powertrain update. The previous 3.6-liter V6 is being replaced with a new LFX mill which will be available at no-additional-cost on select trim levels instead of the standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine with eAssist. The new engine features variable valve timing and will crank out 303-hp on the front-wheel drive LaCrosse (an all-wheel drive version will also be available). This is up 23-hp. Torque also goes up, by 5 lb-ft to 264 lb-ft without affecting fuel efficiency, allowing the LaCrosse to retain a 17 mpg city and 27 mpg highway rating.

Mercedes-Benz is planning to take on the BMW X6 with it’s own sporty SUV called the GLS. The GLS is scheduled for launch in 2014, and will be a new four-seater built around the same unibody platform that makes up the third-generation M-class (shown above) and the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee. The GLS will have less cargo room (compared to the M-class)thanks to a sporty roof line similar to the CLS sedan.  Audi and Range Rover are also launching new models to compete with the sporty X6 SUV.

The last time a four-cylinder turbo-charged engine was used in a Mustang, Ronald Reagan was president, but this may change. Ford is looking at producing a version of the EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder found in the upcoming 2013 Ford Taurus for the new Mustang. The mustang would be a 2.3-liter version with a different cylinder head configuration.

According to the latest barely substantiated rumors,  Lincoln the famous American luxury brand know for its large sedans and SUVs is about to get into performance coupes. Lincoln will hopefully join the fight in the performance luxury car sector up against some of the best including: Mercedes- Benz, Audi, BMW and Inifiniti. According to June’s issue of Road & Track, Lincoln may produce a lightweight, mid engined two-seater with either a supercharged V6 or a naturally aspirated V8.

Depending on your opinion of the M3 V8, this may be upsetting. BMW may be considering a V6 engine for the next generation BMW M3. You read that correctly, V6 instead of their famous traditional inline 6.

General Motors has confirmed that the 2012 Chevrolet Impala will be powered by a 302-hp V6 when it debuts later this year. The full-size four-door will come with a 3.6-litre V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and puts out 252 lb-ft of torque in standard trim.

The upcoming Cadillac ATS is expected to slot below the mid-size CTS, and compete with upcoming compact luxury cars. In order to differentiate itself from the CTS, the ATS will get a series of smaller engines, with an Ecotec 4-cylinder or a small V6 (much like the high feature V6, seen above) among the possibilities.

The last V6-powered Ford F-150 was sold to the public in 2008, and only 11% of sales were made up of the smaller-engined trucks. Three years later, and Ford’s gamble to offer not one but two V6s in America’s best-selling vehicle seems to be paying dividends, with 35% of F-150’s sold coming with either the base 3.7L V6 or the 3.5L  Ecoboost turbo engine.