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I had a conversation with some dude today, and he was quite negative about it. His opinion is that Lexus knows going after performance market is quite worthless to them. But it would be awesome if Lexus approves GS-F.
Unicorn coming to life? No test mules to date.. I hope this car comes to life.
2012 Lexus GS-F: Toyota to build a V-10-powered M5-fighter
By Todd Lassa
Art By Damon Moran
Take the 500-plus-horsepower, Formula 1-inspired sub-5.0-liter V-10 slated for the 2010 Lexus LF-A supercar, drop it in the body of the all-new 2011 GS sedan, and what've you got? The 2012 Lexus GS-F. Watch out, BMW M5, Audi RS6, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and 2009 Cadillac CTS-v!
Details are sketchy, but engineers are said to be protecting the next-generation GS to be able to package the supercar's V-10. The GS-F apparently hasn't been approved for production. It would be a good idea, though, and not just for enthusiasts. It would cut engine costs through higher volume than by building it just for the exclusive supercar.
This also is official (kind of) notice that a V-10 has emerged as the engine Lexus will use in its supercar. Lexus hasn't announced the engine, or even made the supercar official, but Toyota was said to be considering either the V-10 or a twin-turbo version of the LS sedan's V-8. The new V-10 was to be Toyota Formula 1-based, but that series now uses a V-8, and the street engine has been developed with diminished connection to the racing engine.
The GS-F, if approved, would hit the streets about a year after an all-new GS scheduled for the 2011 model year. Expect visual mods similar to those of the forthcoming V-8-powered IS-F. Transmission is likely to be the eight-speed automatic from the LS 460, modified to allow full manual mode via paddles and ultrafast shifts.
I have faith in Lexus, I believe they will release the GS-F. Since it is still years away from going into production, hopefully I will be making enough money by then to afford one .
Lexus hasn't announced the engine, or even made the supercar official, but Toyota was said to be considering either the V-10 or a twin-turbo version of the LS sedan's V-8..
Since when? Lexus never said anything about a TT V8, they said they were going with a high rev V8 or V10.
Transmission is likely to be the eight-speed automatic from the LS 460, modified to allow full manual mode via paddles and ultrafast shifts.
The LF-A has been confirmed by Lexus to use a SMG type transmission, if they're going to use the LF-A engine they'll use the LF-A transmission. Well the LF-A concept has been confirmed to use a SMG transmission.
Lexus internally has stated the IS-F is a living test mule to see public reaction, and sales reaction. A business case has to be presented for the GS-F as well.
Image wise, IMO, its a no brainer. That segment is tougher and tougher and it would be a great halo to the GS brand.
Lexus has always been known for it's reliability and luxury, but the fact is that its main competitors all have a high performance division. The L-Tuned experiment was a joke, but the IS-F looks promising as it has been well-reviewed.
I guess the potential release of the GS-F might depend on the success/failure of the IS-F. The M, AMG and RS brands all have established reputations. It'll be interesting to see whether the public will accept the image of a high-performance Lexus. Here's hoping for the best.
I had a conversation with some dude today, and he was quite negative about it. His opinion is that Lexus knows going after performance market is quite worthless to them. But it would be awesome if Lexus approves GS-F.
That's his, "some dude"'s opinion. Whether or not it's "worthless" is not based on just the sales volume of this niche car, but the effect it has on the brand image as a whole. With all the (mostly) positive IS-F reviews coming out, the tone towards the brand on many traditionally anti-Lexus/Japanese forums is already showing clear signs of change for the better.
Lexus would not market the whole "F" line if it did not intend to apply it to more models in the lineup, the GS being one of the most obvious choices (hopefully right after the LF-AF and receiving its engine).
Lexus has always been known for it's reliability and luxury, but the fact is that its main competitors all have a high performance division. The L-Tuned experiment was a joke, but the IS-F looks promising as it has been well-reviewed.
I guess the potential release of the GS-F might depend on the success/failure of the IS-F. The M, AMG and RS brands all have established reputations. It'll be interesting to see whether the public will accept the image of a high-performance Lexus. Here's hoping for the best.
Exactly. It takes time. The BMW M1 wasn't exactly a success. The M3 came and has evolved for 25 years. It was only M3/M5 until recently with the addition of the M6.
AMG was SEPERATE to Benz until Benz bought them in the early 1990s and the C32 was produced. So again, they have 16+ years together to exapnd their lineups.
I saw an AMG sales/model chart the other day and its AMAZING how many they sell today, compared to 10 years ago.