Lexus GS Series

             Lexus is really starting to pump up there game, going from the ES300(luxury car without any performance capabilities) and the IS300(Otherwise known as the Toyota Altenza, and had an amazing turning radius) to the crazy and wonderful IS-F, and LFA. If anything it seems like Lexus is starting to become more sporty, and is it because they had to or they just wanted to crush the competition?

The year 2005 marked the introduction of the 3rd generation of GS sedans, before this the GS in Lexus was not as highly recognized. This 3rd generation brought in nice, big, well curved, and reliable models. This year was also when the world got a chance to see the new IS series as well as the rumors of the LFA, Lexus was starting to pick their game up. The GS series is basically the executive cars of Lexus, originally meant to bridge the gap between the IS and ES series, the GS soon because something else, as it
quickly gained its own popularity. To the left is a picture of the 3rd generation of the GS series, yes it doesn't look that sporty, just a big car that probably floats down the road. Looking at this though it is easy to deduce who its main competition is, of course its BMW and Mercedes Benz. Now seeing that with this car comes more standard equipment, and will end up being cheaper fully loaded than a half loaded Bimmer or Merc it would seem this car would be the better choice. Yet it isn't and why is that, well for one BMW and Mercedes have a certain demeanor, something that just makes you want one, an aura lets say. Lexus on the other hand, frankly didn't have an aura at this time, even if it was cheaper than a 5 series or a E or S class. This new Lexus though evens the playing field a bit, getting a big facelift, and some more sportier mechanics, it seems this Lexus will be giving BMW and Mercedes a run for their money.
At first you might be thinking wait a minute that looks like an IS-F, just a little. Well thats what Lexus was going for, they want to make this new GS series a lot more sporty than it use to be. You can see this by the gawking front diffuser, and curved lip side skirts and the aluminum alloys. These improvements though aren't just skin deep, they extend all the way to the core of car. The car still has pretty much the same hardware as the previous GS but there are a few twists, parts and ideology from the IS-F series. What i mean is sportier shocks, paddle shifters that can be just as violent as the IS-F, Sport modes for adjustment in throttle control, suspension stiffness and etc., and there will be an AWD version available as well. Now in terms of Performance it is a bit difficult to estimate as Lexus is still working out kinks, but a projected 5-6 second 0-60 time would not be far off by my estimations, although there will be a sport version of the GS offered not under the F name(although there is speculation of a GS-F) but will be able to do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

Now this is great, Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, but it seems they are skimping out on a certain very important part, and this part will be the downfall of this car.... The V-6. This is a HUGE car, i mean HUGE, weighing a tad bit under 2 tons this thing is hard to get moving. The current GS series does have the GS460 which does have a V-8 but that option is out the window now, and frankly it will be hard for the top of the line versions of this GS series to compete with the top of the line versions of BMW's or Mercedes. Yes the prices will be thousands of dollars apart but BMW and Mercedes just deliver for what you pay. At least in the 5 series for BMW, not really in the lower end 3 series. In my opinion i love the car, i like how it looks, i think its cool, modern and a refreshing take on the otherwise "sporti-less" current GS series, but frankly I dont think it can compete with BMW or Mercedes.