BMW and Mercedes-Benz Finally Have Serious Competition in the Midsize Luxury Segment
Despite extremely high quality, competitive performance and attractive styling, midsize offerings from Japanese luxury carmakers
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| Despite all their merits, midsize offerings from Japanese luxury carmakers Lexus and Infiniti have struggled. Lexus upcoming GS hopes to alter that trend. (Photo: Lexus) |
The Lexus GS, the first generation of which was introduced in 1993 and ran through 1997, was a sophisticated rear-drive sedan featuring a velvety smooth 3.0-litre inline-6 and understated styling, good but almost immediately forgotten by the upwardly mobile clientele who were supposed to take the bate.
The GS was updated in 1998, with Lexus squeezing in its 4.0-liter V8 for sports sedan performance, while dressing up the exterior with sportier styling and a more memorable interior design. It sold much better, but not as well as the Toyota luxury division had
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| Infiniti will introduce an altogether new M-series later this year as a 2006 model, just in time to compete head-on with Lexus' redefined GS. (Photo: Infiniti Canada) |
Infiniti's more recent M is not to be confused with the front-drive M30 coupe and convertible that came on the scene during Infiniti's debut at the 1989 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, yes, where Lexus also introduced its LS 400 and ES 250. The rear-drive M45, based on the brand's current Q45, doesn't have the Lexus GS' 12-year history having only arrived less than three years ago in 2002 as a 2003 model. Its sales have been extremely low, again despite being a powerful V8-equipped sport sedan with an especially nicely laid out cabin.