GET READY TO RUMBLE IN LEXUS GS F
Sedan weds muscle and luxury
Move aside BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, you’ve got company.
The Lexus GS F is one snarling, sporty and downright street-hugging machine that churns out 467 hp from a 5.0-liter V-8 and means business. It also delivers on all luxury fronts, with a beautifully crafted leather, velour and techpacked interior.
Admire the tooling on the comfortable and supportive climate-controlled seats before sliding into the cockpit. Take in the supple leather of the steering wheel as you press the start button and hear the V-8 roar to life. The lowend rumble is just enough to get the neighbors’ attention before you glide away. Slide the 8-speed Sport Direct-Shift transmission into sport setting and the car’s “F” Spec double wishbone and multilink suspension immediately firms up and the shift points adjust, maximizing the sedan’s performance.
Power is instant and without hesitation. There’s no lag and the GS F pulls down on the road with a stickiness that’d make a track car proud. Although the Southeast Expressway didn’t provide an opportunity to dial in drift control, it was fun to see it was ready to go. And the mas-
sive orange painted Brembo brakes mounted behind the 19-inch forged alloy wheels brought the GS F to sure and precise stops.
The slick five-person cabin lets in some of the V-8 growl, unlike some other Lexus models that have whisper-quiet rides. But fear not, the upgraded Mark Levinson 17 speaker sound system makes for a very enjoyable listening experience. The center stack features a 12.3-inch touch screen but also has good old-fashioned knobs for tuning and volume. Curb appeal of this $87,275 sedan matches the power under the hood.
Brash and athletic with its iconic hourglass grill and cat-like LED lights, the Lexus looks the part and walks the walk. In the true spirit of road racing, the car is mounted with larger tires in the rear. Because the GS F is one of three models in the Lexus Performance Series, safety is paramount. Smart stop technology, Brake assist and traction control, Vehicle Stability Control, pre-collision system with pedestrian warning, lane-departure and lane-assist all help to keep the GS F between the dotted lines. Base price for the GS F is $83,940.
This a superb driver’s car and if you’re shopping the luxury sports sedan segment, this is a must test drive.