BALANCING ACT
Lexus 350 GS-F sport sedan expertly coordinates powerful performance with luxurious refinement
Lexus 350 GS-F sport sedan coordinates powerful performance with luxurious refinement
The rise of the popularity of sport-utility vehicles among U.S. vehicle buyers has put a damper on sales of sedans.
Still, there’s a thriving niche in that sector, namely the sport sedan. And drilling down further, there’s a subset within that niche: the luxury sport sedan.
For 2016, Lexus has leaped into the fray with the GS-F, based on the handsome midsize GS 350. The BS 350 has offered an F-Sport option, but that consisted of mostly trim and appearance add-ons, while relying on the line’s regular 3.5-liter V-6 for motivation.
The F, though, is transformed into a true performance machine with the addition of a 5.0-liter V-8 delivering a potent 467 horsepower at a spine-tingling 7,100 RPMs and a fairly stout 389 pound-feet of torque.
That’s enough to guarantee exciting go-juice, but up against to rivals in this exclusive category — most commonly M models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG, Audi’s RS offerings and V-series hot rods from Cadillac — those figures pale in comparison.
Part of issue is the GS-F is alone in lacking its rivals’ turboor supercharging that brings greater torque, resulting in more power at lower RPMs. Still the F’s V-8 is a lovely engine, particularly when the revs surge toward redline, and it delivers the most delicious sounds.
The GS-F’s eight-speed automatic transmission provides manual actuation via shift paddles. Left its own devices, it shifts smoothly and solidly. Selecting Sport or Sport+ mode via a knob on the console keeps the engine in the optimum rev range for stronger performance.
In addition to the engine, the F brings plenty of performance upgrades including 19-inch wheels and grippier tires; larger brakes; redesigned suspension; a vectoring rear differential (dividing torque to the two rear wheels to boost stability); and a significantly reinforced, flexfree body structure.
Adding visual pizzazz are a unique front fascia; a carbon-fiber trunk-lid spoiler; functioning front-fender gills; and diagonally stacked rear exhaust tips.
The impeccably assembled cabin is graced with a brace of torso-hugging, supportive buckets wrapped in lovely leather.
The F’s greatest attribute is its overall balance — between power and luxury, performance and comfort, handsome design and its restrained touch of visual sport cues. The Lexus GS-F might not be the fastest in its class, but it is an exemplary sport sedan.