At a glance
There’s torque vectoring at the back (adjustable, including a ‘‘slalom setting!) and the stability control includes an ‘‘expert’’ mode for track driving.
Despite all of the above, it’s not quite the muscle car you might be expecting. For a start, it’s very quiet at urban speeds: aside from a bit of a showoff burble on startup, the V8 is quite muted in everyday driving. You can take a Lexus out of the luxury segment, but you can’t take the luxury out of a Lexus.
There’s more of a V8 growl in Sport mode past 4000rpm, but some of it is electronically enhanced in the cabin. Which is totally normal these days, but seems a bit of a shame when you have the Real Thing under the bonnet.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is also a bit clunky at times, despite being specially calibrated for F-performance. Not frustratingly so, and it does depend which drive mode you’ve chosen.
On that subject, there are four modes available that adjust the whole car, including the powertrain and adaptive suspension (including Eco if you want a laugh), but there’s also an individual menu where you can mix and match them. Soft suspension with aggressive engine, for example.
On the subject of luxury, you can’t fault the GS F for cabin quality: blue or not, it’s an exquisitely put together environment with beautifully tactile surfaces. It’s real ooh and aah stuff.
What is missing is a modern multimedia system. The GS F is full of cutting-edge safety technology and, ahem, an awesome stereo. But the joystick thingy used to control the (non-touch) centre console screen is infuriating, and while you get satnav with traffic information, you can’t operate it while the car is moving.
Lexus/Toyota NZ is also still sticking its head in the sand and ignoring phone projection, so don’t expect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It all feels a tad old-fashioned... and not in a good way. Not like a naturally aspirated V8 engine.
Is the coupe the cooler one though?
Absolutely not. The RC is an older, heavier car than the GS and basically made from bits of other Lexus models. Quite literally, because the platform is a mashup of three different cars. Whereas the GS is very much its own thing.
The RC F might look cool to some eyes, but it lacks the driver appeal and handling finesse of its sedan sibling. Four is better than two in this case.
Any other cars I should consider?
The usual German suspects, although the GS F doesn’t approach the crazy power levels, straight-line speed and trick AWD of the 441kW/ 750Nm BMW M5 or 420kW/750Nm Mercedes-AMG E 63.
The Lexus GS F is a somewhat kinder and gentler expression of the
Lexus GS F Anniversary Base price: Powertrain and performance:
$178,400.
5.0-litre V8, 351kW/530Nm, 8-speed automatic, RWD, Combined economy
11.3 litres per 100km, 0-100kmh 4.6 seconds.
Vital statistics:
4915mm long,
1440mm high, 2345mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 456 litres, 19-inch alloy wheels with 255/35 front and
275/35 rear tyres.
Purist V8 pleasure, accomplished handling, incredible quality.
We like:
We don’t like:
Gearbox not always engaging, backward infotainment system.
super-sedan theme. It’s also at least $20k less expensive than either of the above; or $30k if you ignore the anniversary model and opt for the standard version.