I was once asked, what would the ideal car look like despite all the limitations? I said that I like big cars, but not for the sake of ample riding space, but for the momentum of large bodies, and at the same time have a strong heart and output a steady stream of power.
Speaking of this, you may directly think of some high-performance RVs or S-class, 7 Series top-of-the-top versions. But in my heart, I love the Lexus GS more, and perhaps its innate oriental charm makes it stand out among medium- and large-sized luxury sports cars.
It is no secret to say that I like the Lexus GS, I like its understanding of its own positioning, I also like its recent generations of very spirited design, I love it even more than the luxury GT model LC 500h that has been "intimate" for a week and earned countless times.
Although the GS is not the flagship model of Lexus, compared with LS, it exudes even more temperament. It only takes one look to know that this is not an "ordinary" passerby character.
A luxury midsize car infused with sports GENES
When Lexus launched its products in the North American market in 1989, there were only two products for consumers to choose from, ES and LS, LS has always been Lexus's flagship sedan, but at that time the ES was only a compact model, so there was a lack of a mid-size sedan to transition between the two cars.
As a competitor to luxury brands, Lexus still won't leave this gap for too long. In 1991, Toyota launched the Aristo in Japan, and the car became the "target" of Lexus, and after some processing, the first generation of GS was officially launched in 1993.
Looking at the design of the original GS now, you may feel a little bland, but when you find some of the same level of models of the year, you will find that the GS has an absolutely advanced design, and the streamlined body breaks the inherent shape of the "boxy" of the year, and also brings a lower drag coefficient to this generation of GS.
At that time, the GS was full of treasures, and Toyota made it more competitive, in addition to excellent design, but also the most advanced mechanical system. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder 2JZ-GE, the 4.0-liter V-8-cylinder 1UZ-FE, and the front-facing rear-drive layout structure also make the Lexus GS worthy of the title of luxury car in the U.S. market.
The service time of the first generation of GS is not very long, in fact, Toyota began the development of follow-up models when it was listed, after all, the first generation of S140 may be regarded as an "OEM" product.
The second-generation GS was developed by the Japanese, and it can be seen from the design that it is less European and has become "unique". The four-eyed headlights make the car look more interesting, the streamlined design is further sublimated while continuing, and the drag coefficient is further reduced. And relying on the power provided by the large displacement engine, a sporty version appeared in this generation of models.
In fact, sports are characteristics that were possessed at the birth of GS, and it should be known that the task of medium-sized cars at that time was not the space that consumers value now, but the performance. The large space is handed over to the MPV or SUV, and the sedan provides great power and excellent handling, which is a wonderful thing that seems to it now.
At the beginning of the century, the 4.0L engine of the Lexus GS was expanded to 4.3L, and the acceleration performance of 0 to 60mph (96kph) has reached less than 6 seconds, coupled with excellent front and rear weight ratios, four-wheel independent suspension system, when you sit in a car with excellent texture, it can definitely give you the confidence of occasionally "grumpy".
A combination of elegance and sportiness
The third-generation model is really the Dream Car that many people think of, including me. It continues the "four-eyed" headlight design of the second-generation model (S160), but the chrome trim and the fusion of small lights and grilles make it look more holistic and refined.
I think the word refined can be used to encapsulate all the designs of this generation. Because it is delicate, it looks like a higher-level product; because of refinement, it looks more elegant. The side lines that resemble hatchbacks make this medium-sized sedan look like an athlete in a suit, and underneath its meticulous exterior hides the power that erupts at any moment.
Among them, the GS430 is equipped with the same 4.3L V8 naturally aspirated engine of the flagship sedan LS430, which takes only 5.7 seconds to 0 to 60mph (96kph), which can also be satisfactory on the current medium and large body. In addition, the vehicle can optionally be equipped with a variable gear ratio steering wheel, which is more flexible at low speeds and more stable at high speeds.
At the 2005 New York Auto Show, GS applied gasoline-electric hybrid technology for the first time, named GS 450h. The hybrid system is composed of 2GR-FSE 3.5LV6 naturally aspirated engine and motor for the vehicle, the previous V8 engine gave an acceleration of 5.7 seconds, this hybrid system only takes 5.2 seconds, in the GS 15 years ago, it can make the performance and environmental protection "harmonious coexistence".
TRD Lexus GS 350 F Sport
For a good-looking car, there are always some people who want to make it more extreme, and the S190 has become the favorite of many tuning enthusiasts with its excellent design. In addition to some officially given schemes that favor performance, this elegant body complements the Hella Flush or VIP style.
It is the ultimate and the final chapter
Medium and large sedans often become synonymous with administration, and they are beginning to weaken the properties of movement even if they do not fully serve the rear, but here at GS, it still makes people feel that this is a driver's vehicle, even if its rear seat offers a variety of comfort configurations, but it is still passionate.
Passion is not only the characteristics of the product, but also Toyota's idea of building the GS, which is especially reflected in the L10 generation.
Lexus GS has developed a total of four generations of models, the fourth generation of products is the latest generation of products, but also the last generation of products, it has the latest family design, but also the most exaggerated design, because of this, so that this generation of GS has become the most extreme GS.
The early L10 didn't look as "fierce" as it does now, but it was the first model to adopt the front face of lexus "sand timepiece", and on its later models, the eyes became smaller, but the eyes became more fierce, like a "fascinating villain".
Lexus GS F
Lexus GS F gauge
This face on the medium and large sedan seems to have never been seen before, even the AMG, M, RS does not seem to make their class of models look so combative. Moreover, for GS, this is the conventional design, and the sharp lines are filled with some oriental elements, making it look like a samurai in battle.
After the introduction of the LFA, Lexus seemed to be more enthusiastic about the creation of high-performance models, including the GS, which was named GS F after a 5.0L V8 engine was stuffed into the engine compartment. Unlike the Germans' concept of building high-performance cars, the GS F will be more traditional, with a large displacement of self-priming plus an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a smell of "old-fashioned" performance cars will come to the fore.
In the "final" phase of GS's life, Lexus brought the GS 350 Eternal Touring Special Edition model to the Japanese market, a word that literally translates Chinese as "Eternal Journey." The appearance of a beautiful-sounding name in this time period is inevitably sentimental.
The special edition model follows the style of F Sport, including the front grille, bright black decorative kit, orange brake calipers, etc., the sporty style has been throughout the GS since the birth of the GS, as the final version of the model, the use of this style is undoubtedly the best posture to make a final farewell to those who love it.
In this generation (L10), I had the privilege of experiencing the GS 450h, probably due to some subjective emotional influences, and what I saw on this car was more of its advantages.
The design of the outer rigidity and the softness of the interior allows you to still feel the atmosphere of the luxury car after sitting in the car, the most interesting thing is to say that its driving sense, driving such a large car, easy acceleration is really a very pleasant experience, and under the blessing of hybrid technology, its acceleration has no sudden setbacks, no impact, and with the speed pointer up, there is also the corner of the driver's mouth.
It may be that ES's extremely good performance led to the idea of discontinuing the GS. After all, in the current model, the wheelbase and body length of the ES are larger than the GS, in addition, the front-facing layout also allows the vehicle to have more space inside. Another most important problem is that ES is cheaper.
For more than 20 years, four generations of products, it is valuable that in each generation of products we can see GS's insistence on its own characteristics. I was lucky enough to have access to Lexus' GS, and even more fortunate to be able to sit in the driver's seat and feel its charm for myself during its lifetime.
For automotive products, sales may be the capital that is neutral in a competitive market. Even if the product is very strong, has a deep accumulation of cultural feelings, and there are still some loyal fans, but can not become the choice of the "public", niche products are still difficult to escape from the assembly line to be "cut" after all.
With the launch of the special edition model, the Lexus GS series is also about to enter the end of its life. In August of this year, GS will officially say goodbye to us.
If you think about it, the suspension of GS may be a good thing, rather than letting it accept dismal sales, it is better to make it an eternal classic and glory in the hearts of car fans. (Written by | Chu Yunwen)