Lexus GS History
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The Lexus GS is a luxury sedan that made its debut in 1993. Pitched as a more stylish alternative to the larger LS range and a more luxurious alternative to the entry-level Lexus ES, the GS has been offered with a wide range of six- and eight-cylinder engines, as a hybrid, and with rear- and all-wheel drive. It's a competitor to the Infiniti M, the Volvo S80, the Lincoln MKS, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and the Audi A6, among just a few four-doors in its class.
The Lexus GS first bowed in 1993 with an evocative shape penned by the Italian design firm Giugiaro. Dubbed the Aristo in Japan, the first GS sedan had an independent suspension, an in-line six-cylinder engine or a twin-turbo version shared with the Toyota Supra (in Japan only), and an option for a V-8. The sleek sedan was paired with the new SC300 and SC400 coupes, and brought Lexus accolades for expressive design and performance. A Nakamichi sound system was among the high-dollar features installed in the GS, along with walnut trim.
In its second generation, the 1998-2005 Lexus GS added more performance options to its portfolio. Along with its six-cylinder and V-8 engines, it added four-wheel steering and a manual-shift mode for its automatic transmission, but four-wheel drive was not offered. Notable design features included egg-shaped headlamps that were echoed on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Lexus' special "Optitron" white-lit gauges. Minor changes were made during this model's tenure, and sales dropped off as Lexus previewed the current GS range in a concept car at the 2005 Detroit auto show.
The third-generation Lexus GS went on sale as a 2006 model. Essentially unchanged to date, the current GS comes in V-6 and V-8 versions. The third generation GS is also the first model to feature Lexus' own L-finesse styling upon its introduction.
The GS 450h was introduced at the 2005 New York auto show. It teams the 3.5-liter V-6 from the GS 350 with batteries and motors and a continuously variable transmission for what Lexus calls a "performance hybrid." While it accelerates strongly, the hybrid version lacks steering feel, carries a price premium, and reduces trunk space--already a shortcoming of the GS. Fuel economy has also been a lightning rod for criticism; many test outlets haven't observed any gas-mileage increase with the hybrid.
This Lexus GS has been a slow seller, but still an attractive, well-balanced sport sedan. With either the 303-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 in the 2010 Lexus GS 350 or the 342-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 engine in the GS 460, these sedans move authoritatively. The six-cylinder is teamed with a six-speed automatic; the V-8 gets an eight-speed automatic shared with the larger LS. The GS 350 is additionally available in an all-wheel-drive version. Performance is strong, but headroom in front and all room in the back mar the driving experience. Refinement is a strong point, and the GS scores well in front-crash tests, though side-impact scores are not good.
Lexus skipped the 2012 model year with its mid-size sedan and hybrid. A brand-new Lexus GS has been introduced for the 2013 model year.
