The current generation Lexus GS range could be regarded as the beginning of Lexus’ shift towards more aggressive styling, away from the old luxury image that they had been nursing for years. Smooth curves were swapped in favour of defined edges, with an interior that was just as angular and well sorted as the exterior. Powertrain development wasn’t ground breaking- little changes here and there- but ultimately the focus had been on the chassis engineering and overall styling.
Where BMW has ///M, Mercedes has AMG, and Audi has RS- Lexus has the F-Line. The F-Line hasn’t had many models- the only mass-produced model being the previous generation IS-F, with the LF-A being more of a halo car. Recently launched was the RC-F, which was an extreme version of the Lexus RC (effectively an IS coupe). This all new GS-F marks a new addition to the F-line range, designed to fight the other super saloon offerings from the German manufacturers.
Powering the GS-F is the same engine that made it’s debut in the RC-F. It’s a 5.0-litre V8 mill that churns out a good 467 hp and 527 Nm of torque. This engine can run on both the Otto cycle (conventional petrol) and the Atkinson cycle (modified for efficiency in cars like the Prius), in order to provide the best blend of performance and efficiency.
In addition to this, the GS-F gets some extra structural strengthening- much like many of the super saloons on the market now. A torque vectoring differential is standard equipment, allowing the GS-F to divert power to the left or right wheel as necessary to maximise grip and apply as much power as possible.
Hopefully Lexus Malaysia sees it fit to bring in this model, depending on how well the RC-F is received. While it may not have the outright power to compete with its German rivals, there is a certain measure of flair and character that the GS model has which may give it an interesting edge.
