RE: Is Lexus Cooking Up A Hot GS?
Thursday 8th September 2011
The new Lexus GS might be a moderately well-proportioned beast, but the BMW 5-series and Merc E-class rival isn't really going to set your performance underwear alight with excitement.
"I want Lexus to be the brand chosen by the most sophisticated of drivers," Toyoda told hacks. "I want Lexus to compete around the world with global Lexus models. And don't worry about high-performance Lexuses like F Sport and F models going away."
A GS-F would also be likely to use the same 8-speed auto as the IS-F, which would drive the rear wheels only.
Is Lexus Cooking Up A Hot GS?
GS F could take on BMW M5 in 2013
But an M5-rivalling performance flagship would surely be a different matter - and that's just what could be on the cards for the Japanese brand.
Toyota and Lexus boss (and self-confessed petrolhead), Akio Toyoda, hinted that an M5 rival is waiting in the wings while talking to journalists at Pebble Beach recently (Toyoda-san, that is, not the car...).
Which means that, as well as a revamped IS-F (Lexus's M3 equivalent), we could well see a GS-F. Exactly what form that will take is unknown.
The LF-A supercar's V10 is said to fit under the bonnet of a GS, but cost and emissions issues make a reworked version of the IS-F's 5.0-litre V8, possibly with a supercharger to push power up to around 550bhp (de rigeur these days for an M5-sized super-saloon), much more likely.
Discussion
My stepfather has the GS450H, his 9th or 10th Lexus, never had major issues with any of them & he's always been happy. His hybrid does 0-60 in approx 5.3 seconds, it's a seriously good car. As for the idiots that say it has no soul....well, i can't think of a single German car that has "soul". Infact, no car has soul, it's a f
king stupid statement to make.
king stupid statement to make.thewheelman said:
My stepfather has the GS450H, his 9th or 10th Lexus, never had major issues with any of them & he's always been happy. His hybrid does 0-60 in approx 5.3 seconds, it's a seriously good car. As for the idiots that say it has no soul....well, i can't think of a single German car that has "soul". Infact, no car has soul, it's a fking stupid statement to make.
I had one for 18 months and it knocked the socks of anything German i've ever had (S-Class, 7-Series, A8 and S6).king stupid statement to make.It was quieter, smoother, faster and comfier (SP!?). It wasn't the best looking though and had no sou.....mechanical or electrical faults!!
I used to like Lexus as they were a bit leftfield, but the current crop of Lexus (or should that be 'Lexai'?) are incredibly dull.
As far as I am concerned Lexus currently fill the void previously occupied by 'old' Jaguar - old mens cars with an in-built pipe and slippers rack.
They need more cars like this - something to get people excited about the brand and broaden its appeal. The AMG, M Cars and RS/ S models act as halo cars for the Ze Germans - Lexus need some too.
I know what the other poster is getting at when he says Lexus have no soul and think he is right to say they are mere appliances.
I am surprised to hear so many petrol heads not believing in the motoring soul! Most of my cars have had soul, though some have not. Perhaps a less metaphysical word is simply 'character'.
But hey maybe it is Lexus' character to be dull?
Sorry, I'm rambling...
As far as I am concerned Lexus currently fill the void previously occupied by 'old' Jaguar - old mens cars with an in-built pipe and slippers rack.
They need more cars like this - something to get people excited about the brand and broaden its appeal. The AMG, M Cars and RS/ S models act as halo cars for the Ze Germans - Lexus need some too.
I know what the other poster is getting at when he says Lexus have no soul and think he is right to say they are mere appliances.
I am surprised to hear so many petrol heads not believing in the motoring soul! Most of my cars have had soul, though some have not. Perhaps a less metaphysical word is simply 'character'.
But hey maybe it is Lexus' character to be dull?
Sorry, I'm rambling...
HeMightBeBanned said:
No matter what engine they shove under the bonnet, a Lexus is just a high-end appliance. They have no soul.
No matter what the car or bike featured in an article happens to be, if it's Japanese some cretin will crawl out from their cave and proclaim it not to have soul. Usually drive crap cars and won't hesitate to reel off a barrage of superlative laden rhetoric they heard on top gear when challenged on it, often in a desperate attempt to hide the fact they bought the car because they've got the personality of a blocked toilet and hoped by buying something different it'd make them slightly less tedious and uninteresting to the rest of the world than they actually are.
I fully agree that there always seem to be idiots who will spout how jap cars have no character/soul/whatever. I drive a C63 but have driven an IS-F and it is a bloody awesome car. The rest of the Lexus range are just damn fine cars.
I would certainly consider a GS-F as an alternative to an M5 or E63. I do wish the LF-A wasn't so expensive though. I could maybe dream that one day I might be able to get an R8 or an F430 but an LF-A...forget about it.
I would certainly consider a GS-F as an alternative to an M5 or E63. I do wish the LF-A wasn't so expensive though. I could maybe dream that one day I might be able to get an R8 or an F430 but an LF-A...forget about it.
Stu R said:
HeMightBeBanned said:
No matter what engine they shove under the bonnet, a Lexus is just a high-end appliance. They have no soul.
No matter what the car or bike featured in an article happens to be, if it's Japanese some cretin will crawl out from their cave and proclaim it not to have soul. Usually drive crap cars and won't hesitate to reel off a barrage of superlative laden rhetoric they heard on top gear when challenged on it, often in a desperate attempt to hide the fact they bought the car because they've got the personality of a blocked toilet and hoped by buying something different it'd make them slightly less tedious and uninteresting to the rest of the world than they actually are.
I find the term "soul" when talking about a car a little played out. Everyone says Alfa's have "soul", funny, as any of the modern fwd Alfa's i've driven have been pretty ordinary, i'd even say less involving than many Fords etc. Yet i've found many Japanese cars to be rewarding to drive, i'd take an NSX over an new R8 anyday of the week, which is clearly against the norm for a petrolhead, how could you pick a Honda over an Audi??????? Well it's simple, i like to feel a connection between me & the car, i can't call it soul, as it just isn't. IIRC Mazda hit the nail on the head with one of their quotes......i just can't remember what the hell it was.
Hmm!
There's no doubt that the big 3 German marques produce great cars and pretty much have every segment represented in their line-up, most of which are at or near the top of those segments BUT it's interesting that if you choose a car from a smaller (or Japanese?) marque, there is always someone who will slate it, even if they have no real knowledge on which to base their opinion.
I have always liked slightly "left-field" cars (Citroen AX, BX, CX, for example) and am prepared to sacrifice a little perceived brand credibility in order to drive something a bit different from 95% of everything else on the road.
Similarly, I am also quite happy to sacrifice a 1/10th of ultimate cornering performance in order to enjoy open-top motoring (which I do, a lot).
I know there are other like-minded folk out there but I suppose, by definition really, we are in the minority which suits me just fine, thanks.
For everyone else who aspires to a 320d, good luck to you
There's no doubt that the big 3 German marques produce great cars and pretty much have every segment represented in their line-up, most of which are at or near the top of those segments BUT it's interesting that if you choose a car from a smaller (or Japanese?) marque, there is always someone who will slate it, even if they have no real knowledge on which to base their opinion.
I have always liked slightly "left-field" cars (Citroen AX, BX, CX, for example) and am prepared to sacrifice a little perceived brand credibility in order to drive something a bit different from 95% of everything else on the road.
Similarly, I am also quite happy to sacrifice a 1/10th of ultimate cornering performance in order to enjoy open-top motoring (which I do, a lot).
I know there are other like-minded folk out there but I suppose, by definition really, we are in the minority which suits me just fine, thanks.
For everyone else who aspires to a 320d, good luck to you
Well proportioned fair enough but there are some very weird creases and angles sneaking into the detailing here and there. Still, it's more interesting than the last one, which is crucial, and probably more comfortable than anything bar an S-Class.
Hear noises that the rivals from Jag break down quite a lot. Anyone know if that's a founded accusation, cos if not I'd probably go with them.
Hear noises that the rivals from Jag break down quite a lot. Anyone know if that's a founded accusation, cos if not I'd probably go with them.
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