Reports are beginning to circulate the web that Lexus is working on a high-performance version of the mid-level GS sedan to go up against German rivals in competing for the glory and the cash.
The performance GS would be the next candidate to receive the F treatment, after Lexus took the wraps off the V8-powered IS-F sports sedan at the Detroit show in January. Presumably named the GS-F, Lexus would shoehorn in a version of the V10 engine, detuned to around 450 horsepower, from the LF-A supercar the company is currently working on.
With the GS-F, Toyota would be aiming straight for the BMW M5. That's a mighty ambitious task, especially considering the view that Lexus missed the mark with the IS-F. Could they get it right in the big leagues?
[Source: The Hollywood Extra]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BKadalur @ Apr 2nd 2007 9:55AM
no
stefan @ Apr 2nd 2007 10:05AM
The lexus GS looks 10 times beter then the BMW 5-serie's.Lexus is gonna kick BMW's ass.
BKadalur @ Apr 2nd 2007 10:09AM
doesn't matter about looks. let's see it keep up. anywhere.
Nellydesign @ Apr 2nd 2007 10:12AM
Mercury called and they want their waterfall grill back. Oh, and they also want a unique car that's not a rebadged Ford...
DOH!
Tal @ Apr 2nd 2007 10:42AM
Do it.
If they don't swing the bat they certainly won't get a hit.
Mike @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:00AM
yeah, but you don't bring a nerf bat to the plate in MLB.
Michael Karesh @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:01AM
My father has a GS 400, and he likes it quite a bit. The new one hasn't blown him away.
Overall, Lexus has swung three times, struck out with the first, and hit fouls with #2 and #3. None of these cars has been a hit like the LS, ES, RX, and latest IS.
An F version might help, but it's not going to be a game changer.
papercliprebel @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:05AM
more competition is always welcome. although lexus's automatic only stance puts this in league with benz and amg, not bmw's M series. they serve two different demographics.
George Stewart @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:09AM
not with all the rice in Japan. if they put all those gawdawful body parts on the GS-F that they did on the IS-F, then it will be doomed before it starts.
I may have missed something but those body parts must weigh a ton for the major $$ and upgrades with the minimal performance boost mentioned for hte IS-F.
not even pretty for the tuner crowd
G. Snyder @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:20PM
Lexus has failed to trump REGULAR BMWs thus far - what makes anyone think they can hang with the M division?
There is a lot more to it than putting a big motor under the hood.
carguy @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:22PM
Unless they fix the problem with the dynamics there is no point of fitting a larger engine. Both the new IS and GS have been disappointments in that they neither deliver a thrilling drive nor a plush Lexus ride. Maybe Lexus is a little confused about their brand values.
frondeur @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:46PM
"...especially considering the view that Lexus missed the mark with the IS-F."
Missed the mark? Who has this view? Every "view" I have read is excited by the LIMMITED information we have on it thus far. As far as the styling is concerned it’s a matter of personal taste. While I love the body modifications I would rather see exhaust outlets similar to those found on the M’s, AMG’s and RS’s of the rivals.
Scott @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:53PM
LOL at #2! I find it laughable to say the GS looks better than ANY current car. That thing is one ugly turd!
#6 and #10 are spot on--The GS is definitely a Nerf bat, and Lexus has historically had a hard time winning comparisons against REGULAR BMWs. The fun-to-drive crowd is NOT shopping for "rolling sofa" Lexus cars or any other Toyota. Their target market is the quiet/comfort/technology crowd and they are very good at that. I think Lexus is having an identity crisis with the whole F range.
Casey @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:05PM
So is everyone so bitter towards Lexus because they can't afford them? I mean if your only claim of BMW's current superiority comes from comparisons, how do you have any clue what you're talking about?
Just let people choose what they want to drive and stop insulting everything that's not German.
aliasfox @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:19PM
So... Cadillac comes out with an STS-V, and everyone says it's worth a shot for Cadillac to try, but when Lexus tries to field a GS-F, they're automatically booed off? Let them try - Car and Driver might be more entertaining when we have a comparison of five cars with 2200 hp and twenty doors combined.
Besides, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.
G. Snyder @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:29PM
Cadillac was closer out of the gate than Lexus has been.
#14 - the comparison made was that Lexus was trying to make ultra performance models like M and AMG (they are German, FYI). Get your head out of the sand.
aliasfox @ Apr 2nd 2007 4:13PM
G. Snyder (#16), so you'd say that the standard STS is better than the Lexus GS? I haven't driven either, but from sitting in both I feel that the Lexus at least has the luxury part of the equation down, and I have trouble believing it's really that awful in terms of dynamics.
Of course, I've heard nothing but kind words about Infiniti's M45 - I wonder how well that 4.5L V8 responds to boost. And its not like Nissan doesn't have recent with boost (300z) or modern sport suspensions (350z).
Personally, I'd say the race is for second place right now - be it among AMG, Audi S-line, Lexus F, Cadillac V, or Infiniti (if they decide to bring out a heavy hitting M).
Jason @ Apr 2nd 2007 5:48PM
Those two extra lights outside the grille ruin the whole front end. They look like warts on a nose. Manufactureres need to picture their car's noses like the face of a human. It would help a lot.
G. Snyder @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:40PM
aliasfox - I was just saying that the V variants were closer in concept/execution to the M BMWs than a lot of others. That's all.
Matt @ Apr 3rd 2007 4:45PM
"...especially considering the view that Lexus missed the mark with the IS-F."
I'm going to have to agree with #12 on this, it is personal taste and personally, I think the car looks great and I'd love to have one if i oculd afford it. Where my opinion differs though is that I actually do like that new tailpipe design, its different and looks cool. I'm too big on the styling of the GS-F, like the base model design better, but oh well we'll see how this plays out and who comes on top.