Wednesday 7th January 2015

Lexus GS F confirmed

That teaser was a V8 supersaloon from Lexus - here are the details

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Without wishing to begin the story on a bum note, you can't help but think naturally aspirated V8 saloons aren't long for this world. They're hardly models of efficiency after all. So Lexus deserves credit for bucking the turbo trend and dropping the RC F's 5.0-litre V8 into the GS saloon. Just the idea is cool.

Looking good from here

And the execution? Well it doesn't look half bad from the first tech spec and photos. Incredibly this (quite striking) barge is lighter than the RC F by 10kg at 1,830kg. Admittedly that's from the 'preliminary US market data' but it bodes well. For reference an M5 is 1,945kg and the Audi RS7 is 1,995kg.

But they will have a power and torque advantage. The GS F will strut into a 500hp+ club sporting 'just' the 473hp and 389lb ft. These are very slightly different to the officially stated numbers for the RC (478hp and 391lb ft) so we expect that to be a slight discrepancy and the actual figures to be identical. Can a redline on the exciting side of 7,000rpm make up for a significant torque deficit? The eight-speed auto will also feature in the GS F.

So when's RHD coming Lexus?

Furthermore, the GS will use the RC's torque vectoring with standard, slalom and track modes. Expect too a wealth of upgrades to the suspension and brakes, all to be detailed at Detroit next week.

Is it too early to speculate on price? Probably. Lexus wasn't shy about pricing the RC F directly against the M3/M4 but it was entering that battle with more power. With the GS F down slightly on its rivals a price slightly undercutting them would seem appropriate. A standard Jaguar XFR is £65,440 and the Audi S6, closest on output with 450hp, is £56,000. Whatever the outcome on price, it's another fast Lexus to excite the enthusiast and surely that must be good news.

 

 

[anonymous-user]

Interesting looking motor, it may be slightly down on power but the lower weight should help

[AmitG]

Agree, IMHO a very interesting proposition for someone who is looking at an M5/S6/AMG but doesn't want to follow the crowd.

I bet it will be totally reliable as well.

I like the front and rear treatment, perhaps they will also appear on a facelift of the standard GS.

[anonymous-user]

A surprising lack of interest, thought this would tickle PHer's fancy

[LP670]

I wish Lexus would do away with those hideous split head lamps, ruins an otherwise gorgeous car, same with the IS.

[MadDog1962]

The GS is a great car. It's just a shame that the styling is a bit off from most people's perspective, especially the front end. Anybody who has been a passenger in a Lexus product is normally hugely impressed by the refinement and quality. Unfortunately the aesthetics really let them down. Resale suffers.

Reliability and aftersales are the best you can get.

[StottyEvo]

There's something I like about Lexus but I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm sure it will be a brilliant car and I hope it sells well. I'm surprised at the weights of these large cars, although I've just looked up the E39 M5 and that was 1900kg (EU) so fairy typical I suppose.

[Alfa159Ti]

Lexus and Infiniti seem to constantly find ways to bring products to market for which there is virtually no demand in the UK.

[DanielSan]

Alfa159Ti said:

Lexus and Infiniti seem to constantly find ways to bring products to market for which there is virtually no demand in the UK.

The answer to that is in your post... Both are brands setup originally to please the US market. The UK isn't massively high on their priority list.

[LordGrover]

Nice idea let down by uninspired styling.
I really must try a lexus at some point though, never yet even been a passenger.

[kambites]

I guess it'll be vaguely like the old V10 M5 in character. Similar power- and torque-to-weight ratios.

[British Beef]

I dont understand these fast Lexus cars. They are appealing to the "drivers" by offering sweet NA engines, something that only the RS4 offers in the current market, but they will not offer their cars with a manual box.

World wide if you want a family car with a large NA engine and a manual box, I think a Holden is the only option.

[kambites]

British Beef said:

World wide if you want a family car with a large NA engine and a manual box, I think a Holden is the only option.

Can't see that lasting long either. Manual boxes in high-end cars are dead.

[Denorth]

kambites said:

British Beef said:

World wide if you want a family car with a large NA engine and a manual box, I think a Holden is the only option.

Can't see that lasting long either. Manual boxes in high-end cars are dead.

GM is shutting down Holden by the end 2017.

[kambites]

Do none of the American muscle saloons (if that's the correct term?) offer manual gearboxes?

[Countdown]

MonkeyMatt said:

A surprising lack of interest, thought this would tickle PHer's fancy

It's the styling that's the problem, for me.

Having said that I'm not a big fan of the current E-Class either. Ag and 5-series aren't too bad.

[Denorth]

kambites said:

Do none of the American muscle saloons (if that's the correct term?) offer manual gearboxes?

I think Challenger Hellcat (2 doors) offer manual, but Charger Hellcat (4 door) doesn't. Something to do with the certification of the floorplan (Charger doesn't offer manual at all to my best knowledge)

[British Beef]

Denorth said:

kambites said:

British Beef said:

World wide if you want a family car with a large NA engine and a manual box, I think a Holden is the only option.

Can't see that lasting long either. Manual boxes in high-end cars are dead.

GM is shutting down Holden by the end 2017.

oh bugger!!

[TheFinners]

This seems like really appealing sports saloon, in way it is a modern day E39 M5! It is just a shame the motoring press will probably knock it down for not being German enough and not having 65876984 lb/ft torque at 1000rpm.

[Bladedancer]

Is an estate too much to ask for?
Please Lexus, please!

[anonymous-user]

Bladedancer said:

Is an estate too much to ask for?
Please Lexus, please!

For some reason Lexus are reluctant to do estates