I agree with you 100%. It would be nice to see what they could do if they really tried like they have on other models- LS, IS, SC, etc. It seems like they have no clear cut strategy for this car. 1st gen was sort of blah, second gen started off as the bad boy in town with 300HP and then they let it get too long in the tooth. They debuted the 3GS with a beautiful body and engines that lagged behind the competition by a significant margin, and not to mention that the car has suffered an un-Lexuslike number of quality problems. The smash hit 1998 GS 400 set a false precedent and gave all of us great hope for a car line that is really a "has been" in many respects, and proves this time and time again.

I feel like the success of the IS makes the GS ever more important. This generation of IS has been wildly successful and what does Lexus have to move those customers into once they are done with their cars? I doubt many of them are going to be interested in the GS as it isn't really class leading in any respect, and doesn't drive, handle or accelerate like their IS cars.

Too bad. If 342 HP does end up being confirmed, this will probably be the biggest disappointment from Lexus for me. It seems like they have lost their focus on what this car should be and really don't even care to make it better.

 

No it won't, the LS is still the flagship & has a lot more stuff & status.
As I have said before, maybe they think the GS is their slowest selling sedan/SUV's, & a big upgrade on the V8 version(which is only a small % of total sales for every model in it's class) would not have helped a lot anyway.
I have a feeling they have already given up on this generation & accept it as a mediocre performer, & hopefully working on making the next generation to make a bigger impact.

 

Last time I'll ask..

What is infrared tint?

 

To prevent prize hunters from using infrared sniperscopes to snipe at the mafia boss or the US president sitting in the VIP seat?

j/k of course.

 

It blocks the heat while letting most of the light pass thru the windows.

 

Here it is:

 

^^That has to be the GS450h right? Hybrid blue badge, GS450h-exclusive wheels...

Overall I like it. The new bumper looks slightly more aggressive, and the blinkers in the side rear-view mirrors look nicely integrated. Not sure how the headlights are changed though.

 

The 350 is slower than the IS, and the 460 is weaker than the LS. How sad.

I guess they're really putting more emphasis on the 450h. It's the coolest GS, anyway. Leave the horsepower wars to BMW and Infiniti.

I prefer silent speed.

 

I love that new grill and overall front end update. Looks more aggressive than before . Just what the GS needed. Now let's see the rear and the interior.

If Lexus offically announces 380HP for the GS460, I'll be a happy man .

 

Subtle changes, but it looks quite a bit better to me as well.

The back though is what needs more help than the front...

 

That blue badge glows?? Thats really cool looking. Now Im sad my 07 is dated =(

 

Little more info here folks: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/08...ersion-to.html

 

So do you guys think it will be possible to buy the parts to make my 07 look like an 08? That new glowing badge and grill and mirrons make me a sad panda.

 

Looks like it. All the 'plumbing' is already designed in the car (Lexus knows what features they will offer for each model year before finalizing the original clay model). New side mirrors with directionals should be an easy retool. The L should also be an easy job.

 

That badge glow would look good. I don't think Lexus is going to detune the engine 40hp.