Car and Driver, July 2004

"Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver's brand, Toyota's luxury division will set up an in-house performace shop much in the fashion of BMW's M division and Mercedes-Benz's well known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.

The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo autoshow. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz's 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.

Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5 liter V6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz's E55 AMG. The GT version is expected to go on sale in 2006.

One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling form the LF-C concept shown in New York and the 300hp V6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie (?WTF is that? metrosexual term??) when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006."

 

moxie is a type of soda -- but it's come to mean oomph or pazaaz. It's a rather old term -- I had a 55-60 something chem teacher in HS (5 years ago) use the term -- he drank the soda too.


PS: when's lexus gonna figure out they're sitting on a rocket ship with the 2JZ-GTE? Pleeease single turbo 2JZ in a GS or IS... or bring back the SC3!!!

 

The main reason the 2JZ is gone, is emissions and fuel efficiency. Or lack thereof. It may be one of the greatest engines of all time though.

 

I think Toyota has something up their sleeves...

 

The news I've been waiting for........

 

I'm drooling just at the news of the GS350GT. I must admit I'm still not a big fan of the new body but I'm hoping a few minor tweaks will be made. Combine that and the gas/hybrid technology and I think I'll have a new car in a few years after Lexus work out any kinks in it.

 

Precisely my thoughts.

-Anthony

 

I've seen this talked about on the LS and I think the IS forums as well already. On the GS forum it is under

GS350GT

 

Now this is some exciting news...I can't wait!! I was talking about this with my bro the other day

 

And so it it begins...Lexus will now have the performance to match their quality and reliability, one-upping the Germans yet again. Mmmmmmm.

 

Great news!!
Can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves.

 

Finally!! Time to start saving up. I wonder how others will react to a performance orientated/sporty Lexus.

 

Over in the BMW M shop and the SMG spaces there are probably two schools of thought running around. One says "uh-oh, we're in big trouble and better get our act together" and the other says "like the stupid Japanese can even begin to compete with our mighty engineering". In the past it seems like the second attitude has always won out, to the detriment of the German and American automakers' sales and prestige.

I'm curious to know what others think: Have they learned their lesson? Will this announcement from Toyota cause them to work harder and improve their products, or will they scoff in misplaced bravado as more of their market share is taken away?

 

Uh, considering TMC is the largest, fastest-growing, and most successful automaker at the moment, the Germans would be fools to ignore this huge leap in company focus, especially when AMG and M are the main targets. Magazine racers and kids can scoff at Toyota/Lexus' inability to build a faster or more stylish car in the end, but in the business world the real measuring stick of superiority is in market share.

 

Completely true and I totally agree. Some skeptic may think this is some quick, overnight fix Toyota has dreamt up, but I bet work on this division began years ago when Toyota/Lexus started noticing the kind of impact AMG and ///M models had on their respective companies.

Lexus isn't know for half-assed anything, so I would expect this division's models to be absolutely stellar and leaving the Germans to ask for divine intervention.