Lexus GS F super saloon at Detroit: Full specs and details
Lexus pulls the wraps off its hot GS F at the Detroit show, which features the 470bhp 5.0-litre V8 from the RC F
Lexus is at long last gunning for the large performance saloon market with this; the new GS F. Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show ahead of its release towards the end of 2015, the hot Japanese executive car picks up where the old IS-F saloon left off.
After the RC F coupe that appeared last year, this is the second scorching 'F' car in Lexus' range. The GS F shoehorns the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 used by that same RC F under the bonnet.The unit is mated to an eight-speed paddleshift gearbox and produces 470bhp. It's poised to take aim at the German crop of super saloons, namely the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and Mercedes E63 AMG, and should cost around £75,000.
The images show significant alterations to the styling of the GS F compared to the standard GS, with completely new LED headlamps and the enlarged and deepened front grille reminiscent of that on the RC F. A more aggressive bumper design and deeper side skirts are also evident, as are the bigger 19-inch wheels revealing upgraded brakes.
The wider tyre profile (255mm at the front, 275mm at the rear) will combine with Lexus' Torque Vectoring Differential to help make the most of the extra power, with three settings according to the car's situation. The chassis and suspension will also be tweaked to cope but Lexus is keen to emphasise the GS F will be a more refined and slightly less track-focused model than the RC F.
Lexus' claimed output of 470bhp and 530Nm of torque is significantly less than that offered in turbocharged rivals like the M5 (552bhp and 680Nm) and E63 AMG (549bhp and 700Nm). Yet the GS F is lighter than both, with a kerbweight of 1,830kg. Performance figures are expected to be released in the coming months.
The naturally-aspirated engine is designed to work on both the Atkinson and Otto combustion cycle. That means it can quickly switch between a more fuel efficient running pattern to a full-bore cycle that is biased towards power output. There's also four driver selectable modes for the eight-speed automatic gearbox, that adjust shift ferocity and various other parameters.
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