(Cj)

Um FYI this is all vapornews and rumors. We have NO IDEA IF ANY OF THIS IS TRUE. Frankly probably none of it is. Expect the next GS to have a regular V8 version AND a hybrid AND possibly an F. If we're going to speculate about any of this, the safest bet is that the next GS will be upgraded to the exact same engine as the LS, meaning 380hp. If Lexus cares about the competition then MAYBE they'll have a 400hp non-F V8 model, but again WHO KNOWS?

RNM GS3

Hopefully Lexus offers a true sports package and allows customers to choose a RWD car in NY. Until this happens I prob will not be gettin a new GS.......The new 5 looks awesome to me, so Lexus has to deliver in a big way.

memasterac

I have no problem if Infiniti M outsells the Lexus GS... Dynamically M is a better car to drive the GS only if it can look as elegant as the GS.

The GS sale is low already. I am not sure what a 4th generation GS will do to bring the number back or it might as will not. Something is keeping people from buying the GS and that’s Lexus’ job to figure it out. It’s funny I was in Tokyo for 6 days early this month and I’ve seen many LS, RX, and GS but not a IS…

LexFather

Well got a chance to chat a bit about the 4GS.....and the same word came out when used to describe it..."beautiful"....now beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but this SAME word keeps popping up....

Could not get any info on the GS-F.....

Now here is a kicker. The drive is supposedly supposed to be "revolutionary". Now not sure if that means all sedans or just for the GS but that sounded good. We have heard rumors of a trick RWD diff (think SH-AWD but for RWD) so maybe that is what they are referencing.

*Batman*

I am curious whether they go the direction of Lexus in the UK and adopt a hybrid only positioning for the GS.

They could have a GS350h with a 2.5 liter hybrid drive, and a GS450h with a 3.5 liter hybrid drive, and a GS550h with a 4.6 liter hybrid drive. That would be cool. I would be all over a GS550h.

encore888

I hope that's true, but I am wary of elevated expectations (e.g. 5ES will be better than LS turned out to mean 1LS, which is great but a bit less amazing). IMO, the 3GS is a very unique example of L-finesse and does it well; however I'd be happy with a redesign which smooths some of its more angular points, Jaguar XF having taken the 3GS design and done some of that. If they take it in a different direction that could be good too--the stage is set with the new E, 5, XF, etc already showing their appearance.

However, looks really are not the priority, although they are important--the packaging is, and the 4GS' new drive, interior room, amenities etc. are key. The 'revolutionary' tech is great to hear, however hopefully it will be appreciated by a wider audience. When the 3GS came out, articles written suggested Lexus touted the car as the most technologically-advanced sedan yet built, and in quite a few ways (VDIM, first RWD hybrid, etc.) it was and in certain aspects still is. I'm hoping for more 'wow' factor and increased relevance in the mid-size market. The 4GS could be a standard-bearer for Lexus. Not expecting 1997's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" with the fastest V8 sedan in the world*, but a worthy or interesting followup would be great.

Well, the 2GS and 3GS both started out with great sales and it dropped off over the years down to a trickle. Now purely on the strength of the Lexus brand, I expect any 4GS effort to also have a similar effect in its first year(s); the subsequent years will be a measure of its overall success. The 2GS cycle was extra long and its drop-off curve slightly less steep, but the 3GS had the best overall sales of the line in its first year.

Additionally, in Japan, the LS has been a big seller; the overall best-seller last year was the HS. In my visits I have seen many LS, RX, and IS, but only a few GS.

Rattletale

The weird thing about Lexus is they sell more LS models than GS even though the LS is more expensive. MB and BMW sell more, far more E class and 5 series than S-Class and 7 series.

i guess it's cause Lexus launched with the LS and it is the iconic Lexus with bulletproof rep and idendity. The GS has always been kind of in the murky middle, never really having a clearly defined niche like the 5 and E. And Infinity doesnt have an LS competitor anymore, having given up on the Q a long time ago. So they just sell more M's because that's your only option. I'm sure some people think the G37 is a GS competitor, but really the M is a closer Match.

Rattletale

Maybe the 2.5 engine is the secret to quelling the rattly dash..
Less power= Less strain and rattles.

mikesm

That sounds good. But I sure hope they are not going to stay in the rear of the pack on the electronics. I am TIRED of having the highest end Lexus model having completely inferior telematics to a Ford Focus equipped with Sync. Even Hyundai now is getting into the act with their SYNC clone - it was pretty nice when I played with it at CES.

If lexus wants to attract a younger tier of customer, they need to get this right. It used to to be that the middle aged folks loved lexus when it first came out, and the older people stayed with Cadillac and Buick, etc... Now, that demographic is older, and Lexus is starting to be the old Cadillac in status, while others are challenging Lexus where they used to be strong.

Lexus can't afford to be lagging on the telematics side any more.

Rattletale

I guess i'm really old. What the hell are telematics and why should I care? I'm just thrilled I still have a Stereo Tape Cassette player in my 3GS

MR_F1

I think too many dirver distractions are not a good thing. As long as it has good nav, ipod integration etc, it'll be fine.

Yeah, exactly what (MotorTrend?) mentioned in he upcoming GS F

Rattletale

Given the current design direction seen with Lexus's latest models, My hopes are not hight.


I actually thing the 3GS is the best looking Lexus ever, with the original SC coupe. Everything seems to be getting taller, chunkier and fatter. I was looking at a really old BMW 635 csi the other day and realized how slim the roof pillars were, and close to the ground the hood and especially trunk were. I guess safety and aerodynamics dictates so much of car design now.

mikesm

The definition of good nav has changed. Live traffic routing, being able to lookup points of interest through the Internet and being able to download destanations through the web to the native Nav is now essential. My google phone does all that and much more for free.

Ipod integration isn't enough, you need bluetooth streaming, steering wheel controls for bluetooth, and USB ports for media access and firmware updates.

Not to mention hands free audio and a2dp support for music.

Rattletale

I don't know. I'm ok with having all that 'wired integration' in my smart phone and daily life but more and more I'm feeling like trying to cram it all into my driving experience starts to detract from the car. I think we are missing out on the simple joy of piloting an automobile. I see driving as an escape from being fully connected 100% of the time to the outside world. it's my only chance to get away from everyone trying to contact me constantly or sell me something.

More is not always better.

mikesm

That's fair, but the younger demographic demands all this stuff. And the fact that low end cars beat the pants of Lexus in this dimension is not good.