We saw it in several concept cars, including the fantastic LF-A supercar, but the GS is the first production appearance of L-Finesse. While it may
 |
| From the side, the new model looks quite different, with its new sporting roofline. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
not be as shocking as the current and rather bulbous SC430, it dramatically lifts the appearance of the GS designation from staid to sporty. From the side, the new model looks quite different, with its new sporting roofline. Long, arching and with steeply raked front and rear glass, it flows from front to back, ending with an unusually short trunklid that creates a fastback appearance. The shape, once drawn in ovals and circles is now crisper, and tauter, particularly around the front end; separate headlamps remain, but are more linear and less organic. Overall, it's not what I'd call dramatic, and I think its stylist Shigetoshi Miyoshi went a little overboard describing its shape as "politically incorrect", but it is attractive.
The body shell of the Mk.III GS is slightly larger than the car it replaces, although most will be hard-pressed to notice. The car has grown by 20 mm (0.78 in.) overall, but with better packaging 50 mm (2.0 in.) have been added between the front and rear wheels. The rest is accounted for with a larger front overhang. Width and track are also up, which make for a
 |
| With its new, tauter skin, the GS' styling backs any performance and dynamical changes that Lexus claims. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
wider stance. Surprisingly, and despite what your eyes are telling you, height has also grown, to 1,435 mm (56.5 inches; 10 mm (0.4 inches) more as this is the AWD model). With its new, tauter skin, the GS' styling backs any performance and dynamical changes that Lexus claims.
Toyota seemingly wrote a blank cheque to Lexus' engine development team; they've created an all-new engine for the six-cylinder GS. But its configuration may surprise you. With the outgoing car, to obtain the creamy smoothness that is expected by Lexus' loyal clientele a perfectly balanced inline six was used; the optimal layout of critically acclaimed BMWs and past Jaguars and Mercedes-Benz models. But space efficiency isn't a straight six's strong point, one of the major reasons for a push to the more compact vee layout. Nevertheless, while its shape may be more common this is one seriously fine powerplant that packs two Lexus firsts, fuel-saving direct injection and dual VVT-I variable valve timing for intake and exhaust.
