Flare Yellow is the perfect and boldest shade possibility accessible for the 2020 GS F purchaser.
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The 2020 Lexus GS F is not the perfect sport sedan, however I sort of find it irresistible. Even with awkward cabin tech making it irritating to dwell with and the nagging feeling that there are higher automobiles on this class for related cash, I’m at all times completely satisfied to settle into the intense yellow GS F, fireplace up the V8 and punch it. I’ll be unhappy to see it go.
LikeBeefy V8 engine feels and sounds fantasticF Sport seat are snug and supportiveEven although it is dated, the GS F nonetheless appears to be like nice
Don’t LikeEnform cabin tech lacks trendy optionsRemote Touch controller is irritating to useExpensive relative to comparable German performers
Despite its flaws, I believe the GS F has nonetheless obtained it the place it counts. It’s actually achieved its half to battle Lexus’ popularity for boring luxurious automobiles. This specific instance’s 193.5-inch size has been coated in eye-catching Flare Yellow paint (a $595 possibility) that turns heads in all places I’m going. The exterior design is extra aggressive than the usual GS, with sharpened entrance and rear aerodynamics, shiny black trim for the wing mirrors and rear diffuser and a carbon fiber lip spoiler on the trunk. Blistered fenders terminate in Lexus F’s trademark fender vents and you may spot blue, stylized “F” badges from each angle.And but, the GS F continues to be about as snug as the usual GS. Its 112.2-inch wheelbase leaves loads of area within the cabin for passengers (91 cubic ft) and within the trunk for cargo (14 cubic ft). Aside from a barely stiffer trip, the one actual compromise the GS F makes is the lack of its fold-down rear seats and trunk pass-through for hauling lengthy objects.
Yellow, not mellowThe GS F’s efficiency formulation is a straightforward one: A giant, naturally aspirated engine up entrance sending energy to the rear. Tucked in behind the large Lexus grille, you may discover a 5.0-liter V8 good for 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque, which it sends to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automated transmission with paddle shifters. In its sportiest setting, Lexus reckons a 0-to-60-mph dash ought to take simply 4.5 seconds; prime velocity is acknowledged at an electronically restricted 168 mph. Those are respectable numbers for an enormous, 4,034-pound sedan.The GS F’s efficiency formulation is a straightforward one. There’s no hybridization or compelled induction to complicate issues. That, together with Lexus’ legendary popularity for reliability, makes me assured that house owners might be having fun with the GS F’s efficiency for a few years and hundreds of miles. However, the GS F would not profit from the effectivity good points of its extra refined competitors. At an EPA estimated 19 miles per gallon mixed (16 mpg metropolis, 24 mpg freeway) the GS F’s gas economic system is okay, however nothing to write down house about. During my week of testing, I averaged simply 17.6 mpg.
The GS F’s 467-horsepower mill is likely one of the final naturally aspirated V8s left in its class.
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Lexus’ Torque Vectoring Differential lives on the rear axle the place it actively sends shifts energy to the surface rear wheel when cornering to reinforce the sedan’s dealing with. The driver can select between three modes — Standard, Slalom and Track — for considerably wonderful management over how the GS F modifications instructions. Standard is the default setting for every day driving. Slalom boosts agility, giving essentially the most rotation on the tight, low to medium velocity corners. Track emphasizes stability on high-speed turns. That’s along with the 5 drive modes — Sport, Sport Plus, Normal, Eco and Custom — that have an effect on the GS F’s throttle response, transmission programming, steering really feel and extra.
For the form of driving I get pleasure from most — hustling up and down twisty California mountain roads — the Slalom differential setting and Sport drive mode show to be essentially the most fulfilling mixture. The GS F is not essentially the most highly effective mannequin on this class, however you’d by no means discover with no stopwatch. Plus, the V8’s improbable burble and linear, predictable throttle really feel deliver me extra pleasure than figuring out that my numbers are larger than the subsequent man’s. The GS F’s upgraded trip is supple round city, but assured within the corners.
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Meanwhile, the GS F is surprisingly agile, but by no means punishing or twitchy over the uneven pavement one typically finds on such secluded stretches of street. The GS F rides on a set of 19-inch, solid BBS alloy wheels in commonplace matte black or an non-compulsory $600 hand-polished end. The wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires and staggered with 255/35R19 tires up entrance and 275/35R19s on the rear.Peering by the entrance wheels’ 10 spokes are Brembo six-piston monoblock caliper brakes that seize 14.9-inch discs. Out again, you may discover complimentary Brembo four-pots and 13.5-inch discs out again. Suspending the automobile over the rolling inventory is a solid aluminum F Adaptive variable suspension with a double-wishbone setup for the entrance axle and a multilink rear. Like the powertrain, the dealing with division options some trendy touches, however largely retains it easy. There’s no fancy air suspension or magnetic-ride dampers, only a well-tuned suspension that does a superb job balancing a sporty, but supple really feel.The commonplace F Sport seats appear and feel improbable.
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Accidentally retro cockpitGorgeous F Sport seats with perforated leather-based and suede trim droop the motive force within the cockpit and are, I believe, the spotlight of the GS F’s cabin. The sport buckets really feel improbable — snug for the longest hauls with heated and ventilated surfaces, but very grippy and supportive throughout extra spirited passages. And they appear wonderful alongside the steering wheel and shift lever, with their matching perforated leather-based and white and blue distinction stitching, and the shiny carbon fiber trim on the middle console.The remainder of the cabin is extra subjective. On one hand, the dashboard, local weather controls and tech really feel a tad dated, particularly in comparison with the way more trendy competitors. On the opposite hand, that provides to the Lexus’ basic attraction. The GS F’s cabin looks like essentially the most trendy interpretation of late ’90s Lexus design and I sort of love that.The neatest tech function is the LFA-styled motorized digital instrument cluster with its bodily sliding bezel that reveals a visit pc and different data. The cluster boasts digital gauges that change their model to match the present drive mode. The tech is a bit older and never as versatile or highly effective as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit or Mercedes-Benz’s large screens, however the design works nicely with the remainder of the Lexus cabin design and is at all times a deal with to see in motion.My instance additionally encompasses a $900 head-up show that is a cool get, however in all probability not value the additional dough.The GS F’s cabin, although a tad dated, feels prefer it’s aged properly.
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Modern-ish security techThe GS F comes commonplace with the Lexus Safety System Plus superior driver help suite, which rolls in plenty of acquainted applied sciences. Up entrance, the usual triple-beam LED headlamps function clever excessive beams that routinely activate on darkish roads and dip when one other automobile is detected forward. Also commonplace is adaptive cruise management that works in any respect speeds, permitting for creeping throughout stop-and-go site visitors. There’s a precollision braking help operate with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and an ordinary rear digital camera. The GS F additionally encompasses a freeway lane-keeping system with steering help and lane-departure alerts. It’s not as superior as Toyota/Lexus’ newest era Lane Tracing Assist, however not dangerous for a automobile that hasn’t been considerably up to date because the fourth-gen GS’ launch in 2012.Lexus Enform: Technophiles needn’t applyThe space the place the GS F’s easy and forgivably dated vibe falls aside within the infotainment tech. Central on the dashboard, a 12.3-inch widescreen show is house to Lexus Enform cabin tech software program. This is an older model of Enform, shared solely by the Lexus IS at this level, with a irritating menu system and an much more infuriating Remote Touch management scheme.The Remote Touch controller is awkward and imprecise to make use of at velocity. No, I do not prefer it.
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You can work together with the system utilizing the Remote Touch controller, a form of joystick positioned on the middle console, to maneuver a cursor on the display screen. In follow, this can be a terribly imprecise method to transfer across the interface, requiring a scary quantity of my consideration for easy duties. Lexus does lock a lot of the superior options (corresponding to vacation spot entry) when the automobile is in movement. Even when stopped, getting into an deal with with the controller was tedious. With its included one 12 months Lexus Enform Remote subscription, you possibly can reap the benefits of Amazon Alexa integration and even monitor your automobile with a telephone or smartwatch app whereas away from the automotive. However, there isn’t any Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity to make use of whereas contained in the automotive.Fortunately, there is a first rate voice-command system and bodily controls for issues like radio tuning and local weather controls. After spending weeks with the newer Lexus LS and LC, which conceal easy issues like their seat heater controls three ranges deep in on-screen menus, it is good to have the ability to faucet a rattling button for most of the GS F’s extra generally used capabilities.If you do not care about good navigation software program, apps or smartphone connectivity, I believe you possibly can finally develop sufficient muscle reminiscence for the Remote Touch controller to get previous the annoyance. But the educational curve is a steep one and simply not well worth the effort in comparison with newer, competing infotainment suites that handle to cram extra options into much less distracting interfaces.Not a top-tier performer, but additionally not a powerful worth: The Lexus GS F is the sort of automotive that some will love, flaws and all, whereas the remaining utterly overlook.
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Price and competitorsThe 2020 Lexus GS F begins at a heady $86,035 together with its $1,025 vacation spot cost. My modestly geared up instance rolls in at an as-tested $90,395, with wheels, paint, premium audio and different odds and ends including to the underside line. It’s tempting to match the GS F to the six-figure Mercedes-AMG E63 S, BMW M5 and their ilk. Among this cohort, the GS is quite a bit much less potent, but additionally considerably cheaper. However, its true opponents — economically and athletically — are literally a tier decrease.Mercedes-AMG’s E53 sedan squeezes 429 hp from its turbo six-cylinder, is barely faster to 60 mph at 4.4 seconds and begins at $74,795 together with vacation spot. The 440-hp Audi S6 begins at $74,895. BMW’s M550i xDrive will get you 523 horsepower for $77,795. All of those land within the ballpark of the GS F’s 467 hp with higher gas economic system and all-wheel drive reasonably than RWD. All have higher cabin and security tech. And maybe extra importantly, all are round $10Ok lower than the Lexus, comparably geared up. The Lexus GS F is not good, but it surely’s handsomely styled in and out, the V8 is a pleasure to wind up and the trip is agile with out sacrificing every day driver consolation. It’s nonetheless obtained legs on the eve of its discontinuation, nearly a decade into this era. It actually would not be the finest selection on this extremely aggressive and shrinking class, however when you discover one for a cut price, you wish to seize a chunk of Lexus historical past whilst you can or when you’re simply choosing up what the GS F is placing down, it would not be a foul selection, both.