Lexus updates the GS range

autoblog submitted on 10/19/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 8:44 AM
from: 4wheelsblog.com

Tags: lexus, gs, 2008

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lexus

2008

Lexus updates the GS range

Launched in 2005, the third generation GS was the first production vehicle to feature Lexus’ radical L-finesse design philosophy, combining distinctive, elegant styling with peerless interior refinement and highly engaging driving dynamics.

With global sales exceeding 100.000 units to date, the success of the GS has been further bolstered by the launch of the GS 450h, which introduced the company’s Lexus Hybrid Drive technology to the model range in 2006. Reinforcing the significance Lexus customers place on hybrid drive technology, the GS 450h occupies an increasingly prominent position, currently representing over 40% of European GS sales. Read Article

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maximafan1 - 10/19/2007 10:55:18 AM

+3 Boost

its no real difference they could have did better for this refreshning

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EnnNorak - 10/20/2007 10:50:16 AM

0 Boost

Beauty is only skin deep! I want to know more about what's under the skin. Can I get a RWD V8 with LSD?

answer - 10/19/2007 11:01:17 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I still remain disappointed in the current GS.

I thought the first gen was very nice, the second was powerful for its day.

The current one just doesn't have a special thing to it. The green glowing gauges of the previous one were a nice touch. There really isn't any of those little touches with this GS.

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Hyundai - 10/19/2007 12:04:25 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed. Can you say: sterile?

Bmw8ter - 10/19/2007 10:35:16 PM

+1 Boost

I loved the Second Gen., especially in the dark maroon color. Waaaaaay to pricey though.

lexusis350 - 10/19/2007 11:35:04 PM

+1 Boost

I love the current generation. I'll say this: they aren't photogenic. They look way sexier in real life.

MunichRob - 10/21/2007 3:44:16 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I agree with everything "answer" has to say with exception of the GS's exterior design, which is by no means sterile.

The GS is stylistically a very well executed car, I personally think the GS, STS, & possibly the A6 are the best-looking cars in this class.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/22/2007 5:52:24 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The GS (like the A6) looks very bland with small wheels... but the GS450h (and S6) looks incredible.

M35MT - 10/19/2007 12:02:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

answer,
I agree, I liked the 2nd Gen GS the most. When it debuted in 1997, it was one of the fastest sport sedans available. It also had many features that were still 'cool' at the time (that are very common today, I know).

Although many argue it is derivative to the E-class, and not on par with the handling of the 5 series, I think a used GS400/430 would be a pleasing car to cruise in. Nice interior (starting too look '90s at this point) and I like the indiglo gauges too.

I hate to say it, but it really needs some nice aftermarket wheels to look good.

As for the new one, the exterior needs to be cleaned up. I think it's the least 'finessed' of the new Lexus'.

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07mcs - 10/19/2007 4:46:15 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, the 2nd Generation was quite a nice car at the time of its launch. But Toyota can't rest on it's laurels. Like they say "you snooze, you lose"

S4cabriofoxone - 10/19/2007 5:23:37 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

So they snoozed, and lost.

I love the way the GS450h looks, but the rest of the range does nothing for me.

Cynical - 10/19/2007 7:39:23 PM

0 Boost

Had a '98 GS300 - electrical nightmare once past 50k miles & warranty - biggest POS ever. could be that I was one of the first in So Cal with the new model (2nd Gen)

montyz81 - 10/19/2007 12:05:40 PM

+5 Boost

M35/45 is much nicer car. Probably why it sells better then the GS

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Htay7500 - 10/19/2007 11:43:28 PM

+2 Boost

the nicest interior IMHO. the 08 M45s looks sharp.

zorbeeze - 10/20/2007 6:34:05 PM

+2 Boost

I love the M35/45 but i would be surprised to hear it outsells the GS.

JUGNU - 10/19/2007 12:24:16 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

(Till now)GS's only downside was uncompetitive engines.Rest of the car design,interior,quality...etc is arguably the best in it's class.

but now with new engines,it's extremely competitve and folks u'll soon see the increase in sales(as a proof).

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/19/2007 5:24:14 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"Arguably" is the key word there.

bmwdrvr - 10/20/2007 10:44:46 AM

+3 Boost

a new engine, and some extra chrome bits, doesnt make one of the back of the pack cars best in class at all. the bottom line is most mags say the lexus gs interior has some cheap bits, the steering is vague, and overall is an electronic overkill. 42 more horsepower (which in the V8 class is still behind) wont fix any of the things i mentioned. do i think the GS is a bad car no of course not, its a good buy if you like it, but its just not near best in class, maybe mid pack

lenkun - 10/19/2007 12:56:38 PM

+1 Boost

The article doesn't make sense. Lexus just updated the GS with the GS350 last year, and now the article is saying that they'll switch it back to a GS300? Last year's GS350 made more power than the GS430.

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LexusGS - 10/19/2007 1:25:47 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, in Europe, they are still using the GS300 engine and I don't know why. In the US and other countries, the GS350 is used along with the new GS460 engine.

Rupert - 10/19/2007 6:50:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Lexus don't update engines too often.
We never got an RX330, only a 300 then a 350.

Rupert - 10/20/2007 7:22:12 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

In Europe, I might add.

EnnNorak - 10/20/2007 10:53:15 AM

0 Boost

The 300 has an in-line 6 does it not? An in-line six is best as it is inherently in balance and combines fuel economy with ease of accessibility in the engine compartment. Are we getting screwed in North America again by stupid marketing executives?

Rupert - 10/20/2007 11:51:23 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

No it's a V6.

gsh23 - 10/19/2007 2:15:33 PM

+3 Boost

they really dropped the ball for the GS, much in the same way nissan dropped the ball on their maxima.

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DaHarder - 10/19/2007 2:27:24 PM

+1 Boost

Did someone really call a Lexus design... Radical?

Ok Then.

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Bill - 10/19/2007 2:58:46 PM

+2 Boost

My wife and I were checking out the GS when it was brand new. A nice car overall, great interior, but the interior space is small and cramped: it's shamefully small.

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answer - 10/19/2007 4:20:12 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

You do realize you make us normal Lexus fans look bad when you post crap like that don't you, 06GS300?

S4cabriofoxone - 10/19/2007 5:25:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I don't think he does, no. He's blissfully ignorant.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/19/2007 5:25:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

And I agree, the GS has a cramped interior. I'm certainly not fat.

Alec - 10/20/2007 2:04:16 AM

0 Boost

And you must be a spoiled rich kid 06gs300. I hate to say since I like Lexus', but I feel theyre playing "catch up". The Infinit M45 will now have a AWD model. Which I dont think a GS460 will. A more noticable refresh would be nicer, and maybe rims that dont look like it came off a ES350.

bmwdrvr - 10/20/2007 9:11:20 AM

+3 Boost

and alot of the times, cars in this class are noticeably larger exterior wise, but on the interior they dont feel that much larger than their smaller counterparts. they normally are obviously wider, but the leg room normally seems to be on par with the entry level luxury cars

enthusiastx11 - 10/22/2007 8:53:37 PM

+1 Boost

GS300:

the GS is 'very roomy' if you're short or average height. any guy over 6 feet tall has problems.

even consumer reports nailed the GS for lack of headroom up front. the back seat is totally uncomfortable for anyone over 5'10".

autopro - 10/19/2007 6:09:14 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The car is fast I love the 3.5liter V-6 its smooth and has plenty guts.

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Will_ - 10/20/2007 8:54:45 PM

+1 Boost

I love the GS. Exterior is the most eye-pleasing AND sporty-looking in the segment to me. The 430's/460's wheels look great on it. The 450h is stunning. The interior could have been better. My take is that Lexus put more effort into the relatively-similar-in-size ES350, considering it's their door-buster in terms of sales.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/21/2007 12:52:56 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

But I just don't understand where it fits into the segment. It's like the A6... they both look very good (with big wheels), but neither sells particularly well and neither is a breakout star in their class. The 5 Series, E-Class and M are just ruthlessly competent. Of course, being me, I'd take an A6 over a GS (it's sportier, more spacious, nicer on the inside), but I would take a 5 Series over either.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/21/2007 12:54:43 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I must add... I'd take an S6/RS6 over an M5 any day of the week. quattro GmbH has really worked their magic for the S6 and it shows. I was surprised at the number of articles in which it beat the M5, or E63, or both.

Tonee - 10/20/2007 9:12:26 PM

+1 Boost

The "New" GS still looks the same. Can anyone tell me why Lexus didn't give the GS460 the same 380hp as its bigger brother the LS460? I would still opt for the GS350 which gives me more than enough power @ 303hp. Just don't see the logic in spending the extra 5 grand or so for the V8. This is all considering if I even liked Lexus of course.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/22/2007 12:38:56 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I thought you were getting an LF-A.

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huu76 - 10/21/2007 1:43:23 PM

+1 Boost

I wonder if they took out that annoying hump by the gas pedal.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/22/2007 5:54:46 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Which most cars have, lol.

Porschinator - 10/23/2007 1:24:12 PM

+1 Boost

Current Generation looks fine. Remember that it is unwise to make drastic changes with expensive cars. Typically subtle changes are a good way to go so that buyers of earlier version do not feel that they already have an 'old' car.

I still believe the hybrid version of Lexus never pays for itself. If you were to buy the h version it would take 10 years to offset the cost. Rather save the $$$ or get more options on non-hybrid. Or lower the cost of the hybrid option.

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