Detroit show: Lexus gives GS the F treatment

LEXUS has revealed its “daunting” BMW M5 fighter, the 348kW V8 GS F.

The large GS F sedan will make its public debut at this month’s Detroit motor show ahead of its production roll out later this year when it will become the second new F-rated sports machine in the Lexus line-up after the RC F coupe that is due in Australian showrooms next month.

Lexus Australia says it is in negotiations with its Japanese parent company to bring the new variant to this country, although no time frame has been mentioned.

Although the normally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 of the GS F makes less power and torque than the turbo-charged units of its German rivals, it is also lighter, at 1830kg, helping to close the performance gap.

The GS F’s V8 produces 348kW of power at 7100rpm and peak torque of 527Nm from 4800rpm – slightly less in each case than the similar engine of the RC F (351kW/530Nm).

This compares with 423kW and 680Nm for the 4.4-litre twin turbo BMW M5 and 430kW and 800Nm for the 5.5-litre bi-turbo Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S.

The new F-enhanced flagship will add street cred to the GS range, which currently tops out with the $123,500 hybrid 450h that packs a 254kW punch from a combination of 3.5-litre V6 and electric motor.

The GS F’s V8 can switch between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles according to the need for speed or efficiency. It will be bolted to a “lightning fast” eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels via the same torque-vectoring differential as the RC F.

Lexus says the body has been reinforced to cope with the extra power, and rides on 19-inch wheels and sports suspension that Toyota’s luxury car division claims will “optimise this super sedan’s handling envelope without detracting from its ride quality”.

“The new GS F will offer drivers a very balanced sedan with genuine dual personality, equally adept at trimming lap times and the commute back home,” Lexus says in its press release accompanying pictures of the car.

The GS F has been spotted in extensive testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, with Toyota president, Lexus board member and qualified test driver Akio Toyoda presumably taking some of those laps before signing off on the production car.

No performance figures are offered, but if Lexus wants the GS F to beat the M5 in the 0-100km/h sprint, it will have to top 4.2 seconds. The Benz E63 AMG does the dash in 4.3 seconds.

The M5 is offered in Australia for $229,930, plus on-road costs, while the E63 is $250,930.

The GS F will make its appearance on the Lexus stand at Detroit’s Cobo Centre on Tuesday, January 13.

For Australia, the GS F’s expected arrival late this year is likely to coincide with a facelift for the current GS that was launched in V6 GS250, GS350 and hybrid GS450 forms in Australia in 2012.