Highlight: This is the first time the midsize vehicle has added close to 500 horses. Its reported that the vehicle goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $86,770 (base model $85,390)
Seating Capacity: Five
Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; electric parking brakes; LED daytime running lights; hill launch assist; electronic brake force distribution; a stability control system; Bembro brakes; and a tire pressure monitoring system; blind spot; a rear traffic cross alert system; a lane departure warning system; a pedestrian detection system; a radar-activated cruise control system; and automatic rain sensing wipers
Standard Equipment: 19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; 10-way power front seats; leather F-trim specialized sculpted-like seats; F-trim performance series; F-series leather wrapped steering wheel; a power moonroof; power folding exterior mirrors; a double wishbone suspension system; LCD gauges with such features as a choice of lap time and torque distribution; 12-inch nav screen; power folding exterior mirrors; a carbon fiber rear spoiler; and a heads up display system
Optional Features On Test Vehicle: Mark Levinson 17-speaker/835-watt audio system
Other Trim Level:
GS
GSh (hybrid)
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 12-speaker /299-watt AM/FM/CD
Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
USB Connectivity: Yes
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 5.0-liter, 8-cylinder/467-hp
Recommended Fuel: Premium
Standard Fuel Mileage:
16-city/24-hwy
What’s New: The GS-F is a modified performance version of the GS, with front and rear overhangs, making the midsize luxury vehicle sleeker, wider and longer. The all-new GS-F is available in eight colors and pumps out a whopping 467-horses from underneath the hood.
Why:
The midsize GS has finally
found what it has been lacking, juice or what some refer to as power. The bold
looking spindle grille with the edgy exterior design has been begging for more
horses and the Lexus performance team has finally responded. A 467-horsepower,
eight cylinder engine has been tuned to compete with the likes of the BMW M5. And
by all accounts, they finally got it. That is, the folks at Lexus.
Yes, this
is the first time the fourth generation GS has found the inner strength to
unleash all of the power that the polarizing fascia has been seeking. This
power breathing Lexus rides on a double wishbone front muti-link rear
suspension, with Sachs-sourced shock absorbers.
Unlike
the M5, Lexus has been able to find the perfect balance of luxury and performance.
This new luxury-performance hot rod, with its form-fitting, sculpted front
seats were designed specifically with the F-series in mind.
Besides
the seats, the GS-F is great for cruising around town or for flexing its prowess
muscles on the track. Yes, there are no compromises with this midsize performance
luxury vehicle. In fact, even with all
of this power being pushed from this 8-cylinder engine, Lexus offers enthusiasts
a variety of driving modes: normal, eco, sport s,
sport s plus.
And
this well-equipped vehicle has an extremely limited option list.
Furthermore,
this Lexus offers a huge, easy-to-use infotainment screen and a much-needed
heads up display system, which is designed to keep one out of trouble with the law.
But:
We had to point out that the
horsepower of this fire breathing luxury sedan is on par with all of its
competitors, but one. And that happens to be the Cadillac CTS-V that pumps out
a whopping 640-horespower for roughly around the same price, as the Lexus GS-F.
Moreover,
it would be great if Lexus considered adding a manual transmission to the line
up. This would just help cement in the mind of performance enthusiasts folks
like us that this brand is serious about going head-to-head with BMW M-performance
series. Lastly, the optional 17-speaker crystal clear audio system should be a
standard feature on the vehicle.
Verdict:
With the exception
of a diesel engine and the availability of a plug-in hybrid, the midsize GS has
almost every powertrain covered. Buyers can opt for a 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder or
the much-welcomed 8-cylinder engine in either a rear wheel drive or an
all-wheel drive configuration. In a vehicle that needed a lift to spar
sales, the limited edition GS-F is just what the true driving enthusiasts
yearned for. It’s got the look, the power, the balance ride and the Lexus name
behind it!
Competition: Audi S6; BMW M5; Cadillac CTS-V; and Jaguar XFR
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