Official 5th Generation GS Thread: Returning with Hydrogen Power?

[Levi]

Having had a look at ES again, other than RWD handling and V8, the GS has nothing over the ES. It almost makes sense to have an only performance model of the GS, the GS F, hacked from bin parts.

 

[Sakura]

Having had a look at ES again, other than RWD handling and V8, the GS has nothing over the ES. It almost makes sense to have an only performance model of the GS, the GS F, hacked from bin parts.

I like to believe the 4GS had more than just RWD, handling and V8 over the 6ES.

The 4GS also had Triple LED headlights w/ turn signal (But they are hard to find in dealers), bigger screen, LFA Gauges, and etc... In short - the 4GS had the some extra luxurious and quality of material the 6ES didn't have on top of the RWD, handling and V8.

The main draw of the 6ES was that it was cheaper and roughly the same size as the 4GS. Its likely - the average consumer didn't care what the GS had to offer and went for something cheaper being that they are the same size. Someone on CL once said, the dealers also push the ES sales too since its cheaper and moves sales faster.

With lack of dealer push and the average consumer just getting the ES (for they see it as a cheaper GS but the size is almost the same), this became one of the reasons why GS tanked.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

The 7ES in Ultra Luxury form seriously intrudes on the LS in terms of luxury features, although I assume that actually sitting in it you'll be able to tell where the extra $40,000 goes. At that point I think if there's a GS it needs to be only the GS F, no base model, no hybrid unless it's a GS Fh or something. Then bring on the LS F, LC F, and IS F and Lexus has a pretty compelling lineup.

 

[Carmaker1]

To echo what @spwolf somewhat said, yes there will be a 2019 GS 350 and GS-F in U.S./Canada. The GS-F will stay in production a little longer, but the GS 350 is discontinued next year. There will only be a MY 2020 GS-F and MY2021. A new GA-L GS cannot be expected before CY2022. The only likely replacement is a 4-door offering in between the GA architecture LS and ES, with probably different nameplate. Isn't guaranteed though. Think about what happened with SC and LC, many years apart.

 

[ssun30]

The 7ES in Ultra Luxury form seriously intrudes on the LS in terms of luxury features, although I assume that actually sitting in it you'll be able to tell where the extra $40,000 goes. At that point I think if there's a GS it needs to be only the GS F, no base model, no hybrid unless it's a GS Fh or something. Then bring on the LS F, LC F, and IS F and Lexus has a pretty compelling lineup.

It would actually make more sense to treat it as a technology showcase car. We have rumors of next-gen Mirai based on GA-L. So Lexus could have a dedicated platform to test out autonomous driving, FC, EV, THS-R, and whatnot. The sedan market is a sinking ship at this point. Three is already a little bit too many for a brand.

 

[sl0519]

To echo what @spwolf somewhat said, yes there will be a 2019 GS 350 and GS-F in U.S./Canada. The GS-F will stay in production a little longer, but the GS 350 is discontinued next year. There will only be a MY 2020 GS-F and MY2021. A new GA-L GS cannot be expected before CY2022. The only likely replacement is a 4-door offering in between the GA architecture LS and ES, with probably different nameplate. Isn't guaranteed though. Think about what happened with SC and LC, many years apart.

All they need to do is to design a sleek 4 door coupe like profile inspired by LC/LS. Make it more emotional, dynamic, and visually appealing.
They really need to reposition the GS into something that is more inspirational to justify its sporty character from the ES.
Only in this way can they gain more sales and become successful.

 

[mikeavelli]

All they need to do is to design a sleek 4 door coupe like profile inspired by LC/LS. Make it more emotional, dynamic, and visually appealing.
They really need to reposition the GS into something that is more inspirational to justify its sporty character from the ES.
Only in this way can they gain more sales and become successful.

This. The CLS and A7 are on SECOND GENERATIONS already..... A GS 4 door coupe with a F model would be amazing.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Wouldn't a coupe-ified GS slam head-on into the RC?

 

[Levi]

This. The CLS and A7 are on SECOND GENERATIONS already..... A GS 4 door coupe with a F model would be amazing.

6 GranCoupe also, rebadged as 8 GranCoupe. The CLS is on third generation though.

Wouldn't a coupe-ified GS slam head-on into the RC?

How does RC differentiate from LC? Performance wise the RC no race car compare to the LC, just cheaper.

 

[Rhambler]

I agree that Lexus missed out on not making a "four-door coupe." Although it must be a fastback/hatchback via Panamera or A7 versus the likes of the CLS.

I love mine: it's extremely practical (fits a ton in the back), very, very, very fast (faster than advertised...cough Lexus), supremely comfortable, vault-like quiet or drag-race burbling loud if I open some ports in the exhaust, it's everything. I can't ever see myself driving just a sedan or coupe ever again.

I now completely understand the appeal of the Panamera and I'm sure the next A7 and new Mercedes AMG GT 4-door coupe (with a hatchback) will all sell very well. That hatchback without looking like a hatchback and four doors are key. They are a mini SUV that drives like a sport's car with good engines that can propel them quickly.

The new Mercedes is wicked: https://www.mercedes-amg.com/en/vehicles/gt/4-door-coupe/gt-4-door-pad.html.

However, Lexus just can't make one and shove their same old crappy, slow engines in them. It would be like putting a silk hat on a pig. It just won't sell and will fall into same problem the GS is having now.

Lexus is asymmetric in car design: a body but no heart, although in this particular case, they have neither.

 

[Levi]

I agree that Lexus missed out on not making a "four-door coupe." Although it must be a fastback/hatchback via Panamera or A7 versus the likes of the CLS.

I love mine: it's extremely practical (fits a ton in the back), very, very, very fast (faster than advertised...cough Lexus), supremely comfortable, vault-like quiet or drag-race burbling loud if I open some ports in the exhaust, it's everything. I can't ever see myself driving just a sedan or coupe ever again.

I now completely understand the appeal of the Panamera and I'm sure the next A7 and new Mercedes AMG GT 4-door coupe (with a hatchback) will all sell very well. That hatchback without looking like a hatchback and four doors are key. They are a mini SUV that drives like a sport's car with good engines that can propel them quickly.

The new Mercedes is wicked: https://www.mercedes-amg.com/en/vehicles/gt/4-door-coupe/gt-4-door-pad.html.

However, Lexus just can't make one and shove their same old crappy, slow engines in them. It would be like putting a silk hat on a pig. It just won't sell and will fall into same problem the GS is having now.

Lexus is asymmetric in car design: a body but no heart, although in this particular case, they have neither.

Don't really see what is great about these hatches. They are no lower and sportier than their sedan version, or even as comfortable because passenger volume is not separated from cargo volume (it is really disagreeable to be in the back seat and someone opens the trunk) and they have less cargo capacity than wagons, which also are no higher. Panamera and A7 were and remain ugly cars.

 

[krew]

Lexus GS Sedan Not Going Anywhere, Will Continue Sales in North America

Only Europe has discontinued the model.

View the original article post

 

[sl0519]

carmaker1 pointed out in the other thread the GS will continue on only for another year and then will be discontinued.
Hopefully they keep their words faithful and eventually bring us a 5GS.

 

[krew]

Panamera and A7 were and remain ugly cars.

:cold_sweat:

 

[zeusus]

Panamera and A7 were and remain ugly cars.

I like the Panamera for the most part (can understand why some don't).

But sorry gang, the A7 is horribly ugly, what year is that back end from? 1975?

 

[Rhambler]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I think the rear is the best part, lol.

Okay, two cliche's at once.





The blue and black RS7s below aren't mine, although I wish. 600 HP practical hatchbacks. Simply amazing.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

But sorry gang, the A7 is horribly ugly, what year is that back end from? 1975?

It's not the year that's the problem with the A7. It's that the $70,000 A7 has the same backend as the $22,000 Passat. On the road they are completely indistinguishable. And that is why Audi has to fight for cache in the US.

 

[mikeavelli]

I cannot find the article but Audi themselves admitted the A7 rear was a weak point and their redesign would be better (which has debuted and is up for debate). I don't have an issue with it to be honest and every owner I've talked to loves their A7/S7RS7. In particular many RS7 owners tell me its the best car they ever owned.

Lexus really should enter this market, it is very profitable (using many existing parts) and is a big image maker.

 

[zeusus]

It's not the year that's the problem with the A7. It's that the $70,000 A7 has the same backend as the $22,000 Passat. On the road they are completely indistinguishable. And that is why Audi has to fight for cache in the US.

I can see how many general market consumers can perceived that similarity.

I cannot find the article but Audi themselves admitted the A7 rear was a weak point and their redesign would be better (which has debuted and is up for debate). I don't have an issue with it to be honest and every owner I've talked to loves their A7/S7RS7. In particular many RS7 owners tell me its the best car they ever owned.

Lexus really should enter this market, it is very profitable (using many existing parts) and is a big image maker.

I think we would still know its bad, without Audi having to admit it but its nice to know they did.

There is no question the A7's rear was badly executed, perhaps they thought they were going to be bold and just caught on the wrong trend.

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

carmaker1 pointed out in the other thread the GS will continue on only for another year and then will be discontinued.
Hopefully they keep their words faithful and eventually bring us a 5GS.

More precisely, he said:

To echo what @spwolf somewhat said, yes there will be a 2019 GS 350 and GS-F in U.S./Canada. The GS-F will stay in production a little longer, but the GS 350 is discontinued next year. There will only be a MY 2020 GS-F and MY2021.

Other rumors suggest both GS 350 and GS F for 2019 and 2020 model years for U.S. and Canada.