Lexus GS F, presentation and test drive in Madrid

Lexus has spent many years promoting its “eco-friendly” image thanks to one of the most complete ranges of hybrid vehicles on the market.

However, the luxury brand of Toyota is also capable of putting genuine track machines on the road, and we didn’t want to miss the chance to take the wheel of its latest creation, the GS F.

Exterior design

The Lexus GS F shows its intentions from the very first moment. Nothing escapes its control thanks to a truly menacing, sporty and super-dynamic look. Without a doubt, it is one of the most attractive Lexus models at the moment. Unlike other models from the brand, you won’t go unnoticed with this GS F.

The front end shows its character thanks to a completely new bumper that already adopts the shapes of the GS MY2016, which has undergone a slight restyling. The air intakes are larger than on any other GS, while the central grille already features arrow-shaped elements. The headlights use Tri-LED technology.

The side view draws attention thanks to the 19″ alloy wheels, forged and painted in anthracite. Behind them hides an Brembo-signed brake system with fixed 6-piston calipers on the front axle and 4-piston calipers on the rear axle. It is a single wheel size, and cannot be chosen in either a larger or smaller size.

At the rear, the first thing that catches the eye is the exhaust system, identical to that of the RC F, with four oval outlets stacked in pairs of two at the ends. There is also a central diffuser with aerodynamic functions. The light clusters are newly designed, with clear backgrounds and LED technology.

Interior design

Inside, Lexus has opted for a sportiness that is more elegant and less brutal than the exterior. The front seats are the same as those of the RC F, offering good grip without being uncomfortable when we use the car for long distances. They also feature heating and electric adjustment.

The most obvious details that distinguish it from its siblings in the range are the Alcantara finish for the upper part of the dashboard, the armrest and door trims, the sports steering wheel with integrated paddles, the instrumentation and the carbon fibre interior trim.

The build quality, of course, remains up to the standard expected of any Lexus, with impeccable fit and first-class materials. Naturally, the technological content of the GS F is on a par with any competitor model. Highlights include the large 12-inch screen controlled by the Remote Touch system, the 17-speaker Mark&Levinson sound system and the AHB active lighting system.

Dynamics and driving

The Japanese brand’s F philosophy rests on three key points. The first is sound, the second is the vehicle’s direct response, whether to the pedals or the steering wheel, and the third and last is the purity of mechanical response of its naturally aspirated engines.

Without a doubt, the GS F delivers on all three counts. The fourth model in the F family fits under its bonnet the same engine as the RC F, a 5.0 V8 with D4-S direct injection and no forced induction of any kind, producing 478 CV and 530 Nm. With a dual intake system, it offers an immediate response to the driver’s commands once we pass 3,500 rpm. It would feel electric at all times if it weren’t for the sound, a genuine sonic storm. This car really sounds like what any petrolhead would describe as a “fat V8”.

It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with torque converter, which sends power to the rear axle through an active differential called TVD that has three operating modes: STANDARD for relaxed driving, SLALOM for maximum sportiness and TRACK for maximum performance on the circuit.

It is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 270 km/h. If there is one drawback, the package is somewhat heavy, weighing around 1,900 kg, and despite Lexus’s efforts to reinforce the car’s bodywork and chassis, it still feels rather heavy through certain corners. Physics is physics, and despite the considerable grip offered by the rear axle, inertia shows no mercy.

In addition to the usual gallery of our own photographs, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to film the abilities of the Lexus GS F at the Jarama Circuit, where, accompanied by a specialised instructor, we were able to enjoy the virtues of this giant, which will be available from the brand’s dealerships starting next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5HnVqTLu4c

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso