Lexus GS: 3rd Generation News & Information

Pistonheads has published some very interesting quotes from Lexus representatives at the Detroit Auto Show about possible applications of the LFA’s V10 engine:

“It’s not a straightforward job, because although the V10 is very compact its dry sump design means you have to find space under the bonnet for the oil tank,” said one insider. “That said, we do have two large sedans where the engine could possibly be made to fit.”

“We’ve already got a transmission that can handle the engine, in the shape of the 8-speed auto fitted to the IS-F. With its torque converter lock-up it would work very well in a car like this,” we were told.

“We’d need to be able to do a run of 5000 to 10,000 cars to make it feasible, and it wouldn’t be cheap. But with the LF-A we’re just starting to introduce very high performance as a Lexus brand value, so it’s natural that we will be looking at ways to develop this in future,” confirmed our informant.

It sounds like pure speculation, but it’s exciting nonetheless—I know from my own discussions with the Lexus people at the show that the high-revving LFA engine would be entirely unsuited for the LS lineup and its expected refinement, which would leave the GS as the only real Lexus model capable of handling the 552hp V10.

The big issue is the price—I was told the LFA engine could add upwards of $60-70k to the MSRP, which would push a potential GS-F over $100k and make it more expensive than a BMW M5 or a Mercedes E63. A tall order to be sure, and one that would require a significant rethink of the Lexus sports sedan.

And yet, as easy as it would be to dismiss the idea, the LFA itself is proof that anything’s possible. No one was expecting a $400k Lexus supercar, and yet only three months after its introduction, the entire production run has been spoken for. It’s for that reason that I’m not giving up hope on a GS-F, and from the sounds of the Pistonheads article, neither is Lexus.

[Source: Pistonheads]

Japanese magazine Best Car is reporting that Lexus is working on a GS F that would pair the current sedan with the LFA’s 4.8L V10 engine.

It seems unlikely to be true, especially the idea that Lexus would be working on a variant of the oldest sedan in the lineup, and is probably wishful thinking on the part of Best Car. While the LFA’s V10 is be lighter and smaller than the IS F’s 5.0L V8, it’s also prohibitively expensive.

Perhaps the strongest point in favor of this rumor would be Lexus stretching out the V10 engine’s development cost, but there’s practically no chance this is coming to the current GS.

***

While searching for a better quality image than the one above, I found this GS F rendering from Motor Trend Road & Track that I hadn’t seen before, which also mentions using the LFA’s V10:

That’s about as successful a GS/IS F merger as I can picture—beautifully done.

[Source: Best Car via Carscoop]

Motor Trend has some new rumors on the next-generation Lexus GS expected to debut in 2011, including some questionable information on engine specifications that make me doubt their source:

Gone is the current 4.6-liter V-8, replaced by a 2.5-liter V-6—most likely a version of the engine presently found in the IS. The present 3.5-liter V-6 will become the top of the range. About a year after launch, a 2.5-liter hybrid will reportedly be added to the GS lineup.

In contrast, the GS F variant will employ the IS F’s 5.0-liter V-8, but with strategic modifications including revamped ECU and exhaust. Horsepower will reportedly be boosted from 417 hp to as much as 464 hp.

...the GS F will also incorporate a lighter platform and some carbon fiber body parts to get pounds down to a target weight of around 3530 lbs.

Basically, this would equal a GS 250, GS 350, GSh & a GS-F, which means that Lexus’ sports sedan would experience a dramatic performance downshift, and not be offered with a V8 engine except in a F-Sport tuned model. How likely is that?

It’s true that the current GS 460 & GS 450h put out similar performance numbers, and that could make one of the models redundant in the future. And yet, Motor Trend’s lineup eliminates both. The entire lineup would need to hit the proposed 3530 lb weight to make this viable, never mind just the GS-F. I can’t see the IS 250’s engine even being able to move a GS without some drastic weight reduction, and even if it could, I doubt we’ll see a GS 250 in North America.

I don’t believe it for one second.

[Source: Motor Trend]

We saw the official photos of the cars in Lexus’ SEMA showcase, and now Autoblog has posted a few photos of the TRD F-Sport GS & IS:

I’m more impressed with these two cars by the day—- especially when I see new details like the matte tailights, which works well contrasting with the vibrant orange paint.

For some more photos, be sure to check out the Autoblog photo gallery.

Information on the 2010 Lexus GS 350 & 460 has been announced, and as it turns out, not much has changed. The latest edition of the Lexus sports sedan sees the following changes:

• iPod/USB connectivity has been added to the standard Lexus sound system, along with streaming audio via Bluetooth & an integrated XM satellite radio receiver.
• The optional Lexus navigation system has been upgraded to the sixth generation software, which means the new Voice Command voice recognition and integrated XM NavTraffic & weather.
• The new Safety Connect/Lexus Enform telematics system is also available.
• Active Front headrests have been added.
• There are two new exterior colors: Deep Sea Mica replaces Black Sapphire Pearl and Satin Cashmere Metallic replaces Golden Almond Metallic. In addition, Parchment leather interior takes the place of Cashmere.

There may be no external changes, but that’s not going to stop me from posting up a quick photo gallery of the 2010 GS 460:

It’s been too long since I mentioned the special edition Lexus GS Passionate Black interior, so here’s a photo gallery from GS PB owner Harinder:

With the intense red carpeting and stitching, the additional seat perforations might be taking the color scheme too far, but I have a feeling it would be slightly less vibrant in person (still waiting to see one up close).

(Thanks Harinder!)