Lexus GS-F: driving test and video
Posted on 04-04-2016 to 16:00 pm by Wouter – 69 Comments”
A M5 killer with the atmospheric V8. Is that brilliant or doomed to fail?
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
What is a GS-F
It seems to me not a bad idea to take at the base to start. Lexus is certainly not unknown in the Dutch market (hiep hoi for the 14% additional tax liability of the CT200h), but they forgive you if you have no chocolate can make all of the type names in the Japanese premium brand. In the press release cites Lexus regularly their iconic supercar LFA. One of the letters from that type of designation also had to find its way to the name of this sports sedan. The F in IS-F is, moreover, a reference to the Fuji Speedway circuit, where the toughest turns are processed in the F-logo.
Fortunately, you are quick-witted and have no words more dirt to be made to what letter that is. Sportier Lexus-variants of existing models have the letter F after the name. Thus there is in the current range, in addition to the GS-F, RC-F, and there was in the past the IS-F. All Lexussen (Lexi?) have one more thing in common: they all have five-litre large V8 under the hood that the rear wheel drive via an eight speed automatic transmission. If you have a F on a different type of Lexus encounter, then that would be right. As with the German colleagues, there is also a sports oriented package with the name F sport, which have thicker rims, bumpers, and other “sporting” accessories, sit included.
The GS
Each of GS, of which only three flavors (two hybrids and the F with V8), have to compete with cars like the A6, 5-series, E-class, XF, S90 and Ghibli. It is a larger sedan in the E segment, given its focus on markets outside of Europe, there is no station. The sporty GS-F should compete with cars such as the (R)S6, M5, E63, and XF-R. That is quite a formidable task, especially given the sporting history or better yet the lack of a sporting history at Lexus. The IS-F was a nice attempt to buyers from M3’s to provoke, but knew no pots to break. The LFA did, but the link between the supersporter with mid-engine and this sportsedan is rather far-fetched. So was the LFA a screamer of a V10 and the GS-F with a V8.
Atmospheric FTW!
In this time where everyone and his mother on every block is a turbo thread, it is quite refreshing if a manufacturer refuses to do. Of course, breathed the block has its advantages: the throttle response is much quicker, and the capacity building many lineairder and the sound is not muted by turbos in the exhaust path. The GS-F is an atmospheric achtcilinder of no less than five litres, would also all the more reason to have a party. That is in the R8 and 911 GT3 RS after all.
Disappointment
You felt it coming, but the powertrain of the GS-F is not convincing. It is a combination of factors making the GS-F less cool than you may expect. In short, this is the problem of the GS-F: noise kicks that did, but soon enough, the GS-F is not.
The automatic gearbox has eight oppose it and has sometimes far too long need to switch back (rather two than a fraction of a second!). The high revving V8 should not have of its torque at the bottom, so downshifting is a must. Pinball can also, but also has the gearbox sometimes’. Choose the Sport+ mode helps, but that is not a position in which you continuously daily to drive around.
Lexus GS-FAudi S6BMW M5
Vermogen477 pk450 pk560 pk
Koppel530 Nm550 Nm700 Nm
At toerental4800 tpm1400 tpm1500 rpm
0-1004,5s4,3s4,4s
Topsnelheid270 km/u250 km/u250 km/h
Prijs155.495122.530147.300
With the specifications of the two competitors next to it seems the GS-F is good to be able to join in, but unfortunately that is only theory. Where the M5 from a standing start every time a set of rear tires to the wire afgumt, the GS-F is almost without a squeak of the tires off the ground. And unfortunately, the acceleration driving against, never is there the feeling with a car with almost 500 hp on the trail.
Handling is top
It was in the regular GS450h already on that with the chassis itself isn’t. For the GS-F mount Lexus in addition, an electronically controlled limited slip differential and offers the choice of three modes: Standard (lightly but firmly), Slalom (very directly responsive to commands), and Track (with extra stability at high speeds). When you’re in a street-legal car the stand slalom should use is to me totally unclear, but may be there on Friday nights at the Japanese Mac does have a slalom rides ridden.
Conclusion
A thick appearance and a powertrain that the promise is not completely true. Lexus doesn’t make it easy for lovers of fast German stuff time for a Japanese person to choose. What’s strange: with the LFA does Lexus have proven that they are very desirable cars to know to build. And even stranger: a regular GS is a serious alternative to an A6, E-class or 5-series. Movie!
Gallery: Lexus GS-F
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