Almost five meters long sedan Lexus GS F is driven by 5-liter V8 with 470 “horses”, is able to accelerate up to 270 kilometers per hour and costs a wealthy person, who wants a car with a distinctly personal touch, a little over 100 thousand euros.

Lexus GS F is a premium sports sedan, who is not as precise and direct in driving as its main competitors, but the combination of primal exterior and atmospheric eight-cylinder engine convinces with otherness and sophisticated road playfulness.

Lexus GS F 2016 highlights

Predecessors: Toyota ARISTO (1991-2005), GS (from 1993 to today, the fourth generation).
Production: Tahara, Japan.
Main competitors: BMW M5, Audi S6, Mercedes-Benz E45 AMG.
Base price: 85,000 dollars (USA), 100,000 euros (Germany).

• Five-liter V8 engine, maximum power 470 hp at 7,500 rpm.
• The transfer of power through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels.
• The fuel consumption of about 14 liters per hundred kilometers.
• 4.6 seconds to hundred kilometers per hour, the maximum speed of 270 kilometers per hour.
• The main advantages are otherness, directness, playfulness, an excellent technique and sophisticated details.

Children smile, fathers open windows and listen to the V8 symphony

In passing cars, children attach their noses to the windows, they showed a broad smile and a finger pointing to the car. Fathers behind the wheel rolled down side windows in the tunnel just enough to be able to hear the acoustic storm of a five-liter eight-cylinder engine. This is one of the few modern automotive warriors who cut the silence of today’s automotive monotony, almost to the last screw dedicated motor downsizing and rationality.

Lexus GS F ia a gentleman, who by nightfall reveals its ferocious face

It seems like a gentleman. During the day, on the parking lot in front of the office building, just a knowing eye captures carbon spoiler on its rear, or orange caliper in the background of 19-inch wheels. However, when the dusk descends to the road, almost five meters long limousine change its face and roars towards the asphalt.

It is noticeable that the Lexus was originally intended primarily for its most important market, the US. And also the GS F has some American in its blood, something wild and unmanageable, which can be defined as a Japanese muscle car. Well, not quite real, because in it, however, lies a lot of high technology, selected materials and prestige. But by the character, Lexus GS F is no less than muscle cars “Made in USA”, only more accurate among curves.

It’s primalness is actually the biggest feature of Lexus. Purely technical data on engine power and capacity put Lexus GS F at a disadvantage by the comparison with direct competitors. In contrast to the conventional Germans (BMW M5, Audi S6 or RS6, Mercedes E45 AMG…), not everything is a subject to the perfect accuracy, but it allows some diversity and access to the road wilderness.

Are 470 “horses” on the rear wheels enough?

The car is powered by five liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 351 kilowatts or 470 hp. This strength is reached by this atmospheric engine at 7,100 rpm. This is the same engine as the one which propels the coupé athlete Lexus RC F. This engine is naturally a balm for the soul of each driver who is in love with the automotive technique.

All this mighty power is somewhat lost, taking into the account a considerable weight of the car. In the classic sports car with such a power supply, for example, we would get an acceleration up to a hundred kilometers per hour much faster than in 4.6 seconds. Perhaps one would expect that the Lexus will furthermore enrich the engine when transferring it to a larger car. Yes, in the world of the most powerful sports and luxury sedans, the power of about 470 “horses” does not indicate the peak offer of the automotive industry.

Do not get us wrong, with Lexus GS F you can drive indecently fast. In case of rain, it is necessary to respect his cavalry. This cavalry is not from the best dressage school. When you poke them, they run wild, and in turn they rush in real stampede.

Although Lexus has its millionth hybrid on the road these days and has the most, ten hybrid models among all the premium brands, which removed diesel engines from the Lexus family tree, the Japanese did not forget and they did not want to cancel the one spirit that also brought the famous LFA. For a lot of money, there must be a lot of music, literally. Just look at his hindquarters and four tubes. Two on each side. Placed vertically. Great view, we must say.

For ordinary road there is too much power, but this is actually one of Lexus GS F concealed strengths

But these are actually only sweet worries of the driver, who has a chance to sit behind Lexus GS F steering wheel. This Lexus has 470 hp on the rear wheels and the top speed of 270 kilometers per hour, of course, is much more appropriate for German motorways free of speed limits. Put simply, in the ordinary road, at least 200 “horses” less would entirely satisfactory do the job. But this, of course, is not a Lexus weakness, but one of his, at first sight, disguised strengths.

Like the US muscle cars, Lexus GS F, though much more elegant and more sophisticated, gives the driver an awe and makes clear to him that it will not be easy to cope with on the road. GS F is, however, an athlete, which derives from the classic sedan, not an athlete, engineered and developed from day one for the prestigious Nordschleife record.

Sophisticated interior follows the orientation of the car with a distinctly personal touch

The point of the car is not only in his performance, but in its difference and expression of a personal note. This cannot be seen only in the combination of driving characteristics and impressive exterior, where the rear part stands out more than the front, but also in selected details of the interior.

There are no huge surprises, because it is at the level of today’s advanced Lexus models. Here we refer to the perfect thickness of the steering wheel that fits great in your hands, comfort, supported with electronics, excellent audio and infotainment system, where the driver moves through menus with almost real computer mouse.

Nobody buys a limousine for 100 thousand without hesitation

Lexus is somehow a niche car maker in Europe, which due to new models puts itself on the right track. Thanks to the new SUV and crossover models Lexus RX, LX and NX lately achieved a sales record. By the way, Lexus already sent the millionth car to its customers, and their sales plans for this year are aiming at 70 thousand vehicles in Europe only, which is the biggest number in their history.

And what role has Lexus GS F in this story? Is this extremely sporty model a forecast for the expansion of the sports program F to other models? In any case, with its appearance and genes for business people, who want to enjoy a car for 100 thousand euros, due to the five-liter V8 engine and the high taxes owners are prepared to pay to the country, this is not a type of purchase you make overnight. It is a car for those who want to give out their differences through cars. This applies not only to extremist Lexus GS F, but actually for all Lexus models.

Lexus GS F technical specification

Vehicle class:
Sedan, upper middle class.
5 seats.
4 doors.

Dimensions:
Length: 4,915 mm.
Width: 1,845 mm.
Height: 1,440 mm.
Wheelbase: 2,850 mm.
Luggage compartment capacity: from 369 liters.
Fuel tank capacity: 66 liters.
Tires (front): 255/35ZR19.
Tires (rear): 275/35ZR19.

Engine:
Petrol, 8-cylinder atmospheric engine.
Volume: 4,969 cm3.
Maximum power: 470 hp at 7,500 rev / min.
Maximum torque: 527 Nm from 4,800 to 5,600 rev / min.
8-speed automatic transmission.
Rear-wheel drive.
Top speed: 270 km/h (168 mph).
Acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour: 4.6 s.
Fuel consumption: 11.2 l / 100 km.
CO2 emissions: 260 g / km.
Euro 6.
Weight: 1,865 kg.

Lexus GS F main competitors

• BMW M5
• Audi S6
• Mercedes-Benz E45 AMG

Image credit: Lexus