Lexus is becoming increasingly serious about its sporting credentials and hot on the heels of the RC F V8 coupé, which rivals the likes of the BMW M4, comes this, the GS F saloon. Clearly larger and more luxurious than the RC, the GS F is intended as Lexus' foil to the BMW M5, the Audi RS 6 and the Jaguar XFR-S. So, like them, it's packing a massive V8 engine up front, a full 5.0-litre unit, which eschews turbochargers. Instead, it can switch from conventional Otto-Cycle four-stroke ignition to the more efficient Atkinson cycle (like a Toyota Prius) when you're going slowly, so as to save fuel. Clever stuff, that.
Worryingly for Lexus though, while the engineers were getting all clever with that stuff, they seem to have forgotten to put in any power. Whereas the BMW, Audi, Jaguar - and the Mercedes E 63 AMG -all come with 550hp or more, the GS F has a mere (if that's quite the right word...) 470hp.
Still, it should be fun to drive. It powers the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and there's a trick active differential that can feed the engine's grunt (530Nm of it) to whichever wheel can make best use of it. The diff has three modes - Standard (default), giving a balance of agility and firmness; Slalom, for nimble steering response and agility; and Track, enhancing stability for high-speed circuit driving.
The suspension has been uprated, there are special 19-inch alloy wheels and the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system includes a module that boosts the engine's sound inside the cabin.
Safety equipment includes the new Lexus pre-crash system plus lane departure warning and an active high-beam assistant.
Anything else?
Yukihiko Yaguchi, Chief Engineer, explained: "Our cars with the F designation are meant to generate a very positive feeling when you're behind the steering wheel, and are designed to be fun to drive, no matter who's driving, or where."
"With the GS F we wanted to make a special car that would not only exceed the expectations of the most discerning enthusiast, but which could also be enjoyed by all drivers. In this spirit, it embraces the virtues of sound, response and power - the cornerstones of the Lexus F brand."
Yoshiharu Nakajima, Project Chief Designer, said: "Fun to drive - it's what characterises all the cars wearing the F badge, and it was our intention that the GS F should be true to that quality."
"The style philosophy is 'form following function'. For example, the GS F's spindle grille was designed to further improve the car's aerodynamics and internal cooling, while the air outlets in the front wings, first seen on the IS F and more recently on the RC F, have been adopted because of their efficiency.
"The styling direction promotes Lexus's commitment to 'progressive luxury' and I feel this car conveys that brand message perfectly."
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