Road & Track sure are rumor-happy this week — first there was their report that the next-generation Lexus IS will be built in 2013 on a modified FT-86 platform, and now today they’re back with news of the 2012 GS-F:
Our sources tell us that [the GS-F] will come with a 5.0-liter V-8 that will produce about 465 bhp. Toyota predicts the car will run from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, making it a serious rival for both the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The secret to its performance will not only be engine power, but also weight, or lack thereof. Toyota engineers want to pare the weight down to about 3700 lb. by incorporating aluminum and carbon-fiber parts. The GS F will probably cost around $90,000 to $100,000 and may make an appearance as early as 2012.
Given that this information is almost identical to a year-old rumor from Motor Trend, it’s hard to say if this is just recycled or if it adds weight to facts.
Regardless, the stats would put the GS-F at a competitive level with the competition — after all, the 2010 BMW M5 had 500 hp, a 0-60 of 4.7s and a $85,700USD price-tag, and the current Mercedes E63 comes in at 518 hp, 0-60 in 4.4s and a cost of $90,000USD. The only discrepancy would be in the horsepower numbers, but if the GS-F can compete with the rest of the class, that’s really a moot point.
(I’m not even going to talk about the article’s accompanying image.)
[Source: Road & Track via Autoguide]
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