[Auto] Lexus GS 2020

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The Lexus mid-size rear-drive sedan will effectively be replaced by the front-drive Lexus ES, but the company is working on future V8 performance models.

 

 

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus is poised to end production of the GS sedan – including the V8-powered GS-F performance model – by the end of this year. Lexus dealers in Australia are clearing remaining stock.

A statement from Lexus Australia said Japan has “confirmed production of the GS and GS-F will cease later this year” and that “the GS and GS-F remain available in Australian dealerships”.

Japanese media reports claim the current generation Lexus GS will reach the end of the production line in August, with the last examples due to be sold out in dealerships by the end of this year.

The Lexus GS is currently available with a choice of 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder power, a 3.5-litre V6, a 3.5-litre V6 matched to hybrid technology, and a 5.0-litre V8 for the high-performance GS-F.

The rear-drive Lexus GS series – a rival to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class – will effectively be replaced by the front-drive Lexus ES range; both models are almost identical in length bumper-to-bumper however the ES has more rear legroom because the floor is flatter due to the layout of its powertrain.

 

 

 

The departure of the GS line-up will leave just two V8s in the Lexus passenger car range for the foreseeable future.

The remaining V8s in the Lexus range for the time being are the RC-F and LC coupes, which are also powered by a 5.0-litre V8.

The Toyota LandCruiser-based Lexus LX 4WD is expected to phase out its petrol and diesel V8 options and switch to V6 power when the next generation arrives a few years from now.

 

 

 

However, Lexus won’t abandon V8 engines altogether; it is working on a new high-performance twin turbo V8 that will be used in road cars and racing applications.

Lexus announced late last year it was planning to race a new generation, twin turbo V8 in this year’s Nurburgring 24-Hour race.

The motorsport campaign was designed to test a new V8 that would eventually be used in future Lexus road cars.

At the time, Lexus said: “The (race) team will use what it has learnt in the past two years to improve the car’s performance by adopting a variety of new technologies, including a newly-developed V8 twin-turbo engine destined for use on future road cars such as sports cars”.