Detroit show: Lexus teases ‘GS F’

LEXUS’ worst kept secret – its first hot F-rated GS V8 large sedan – appears to be one step closer to showrooms with the release of two teaser photos ahead of the Detroit motor show in January.

Although Toyota’s luxury car arm does not name the GS as the wearer of its high-performance F badge, it concedes it will add a second vehicle to its growing stable of F-brand models in a global premiere at the North American International Auto Show on January 13.

Spy shots of the V8-powered GS going through its paces at Germany’s Nurburgring and elsewhere have already left pundits in no doubt that the rear-drive sedan will be the recipient of the Lexus Finesse go-fast treatment.

The GS F’s arrival in 2015 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.

The model introduced Lexus’ new ‘spindle grille’ look and heralded a new culture of sports luxury driven from the top by Toyota president Akio Toyoda.

A hardcore F version was mooted at the time, but it has taken about two years to come to fruition.

Lexus’ other new-generation F-badged model, the RC F, is set to land in Australia in February, armed with a 351kW/530Nm 5.0-litre V8 and a $133,500 price tag (plus on-road costs).

The RC F effectively replaces the IS F – the V8 sedan that started Lexus’ hard-edged F division that mimics BMW’s M and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG hot shops.

Like the upcoming GS F, the RC F coupe puts the power to the tarmac through the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The GS F is likely to get the same powertrain, along with a suitably aggressive bumper, grille and wheel treatment.

The images released by Lexus overnight show all-new headlights and boomerang-shaped running lights, most likely all LED.

The grille has the massive black-mesh ‘Darth Vader’ face of the latest spindle grille look perfected by Lexus, as usual surrounded by a metallic trim.

Multi-spoke alloy wheels with low-profile sports tyres are also on show, along with orange-painted brake callipers.

Lexus’ reference to a “growing stable of F-brand high-performance models” seems to indicate that the GS F will not be the last in the line.

The arrival of four-cylinder engines in smaller products, starting with the new NX SUV, points to a range of hot hatches to rival the likes of Mercedes’ A45 AMG and GLA45 and Audi’s RS3.

And while we are talking four-cylinder models, don’t be surprised if Lexus springs a four-pot version of its GS in the upcoming facelift as a replacement for the ageing GS250.