Lexus GS F Standard

Lexus GS F Standard

The Lexus GS F, produced from 2015 to 2020, was a distinctly different proposition in the high-performance sedan segment. While its German competitors had universally adopted turbocharging and were increasingly focused on outright acceleration numbers, the GS F chose a different path: a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a character focused on driver engagement and emotional connection rather than benchmark statistics.

The 2UR-GSE V8 was the GS F's defining feature. Producing 467 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 389 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, the engine used Lexus's D-4S dual injection system combining direct and port injection for optimal combustion efficiency across the rev range. The naturally aspirated delivery was linear and predictable, with no turbo lag or power surges — just a progressive, relentless build of power accompanied by a sonorous exhaust note that intensified as the tachometer swept toward the 7,300 rpm redline.

The 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission was specifically tuned for the GS F, with closer ratios and faster shift times than the standard GS gearbox. In Normal mode, it shifted smoothly and unobtrusively; in Sport+ mode, it held gears longer, blipped the throttle on downshifts, and responded to paddle inputs with impressive alacrity.

The chassis benefited from a torque-vectoring differential (TVD) that could actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels. The system offered three modes — Standard, Slalom, and Circuit — each providing progressively more aggressive torque vectoring. In Circuit mode, the TVD worked aggressively to rotate the car during corner entry and accelerate it through the exit, providing a level of rear-end agility unusual in a 4,000-pound luxury sedan.

Adaptive dampers provided a wide range of ride quality, from a genuinely comfortable Normal mode suitable for daily use to a firm Sport+ setting that controlled body movement precisely on challenging roads. The double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension provided excellent geometry control, and the optional carbon-ceramic brakes offered fade-free stopping power during sustained track use.

The GS F occupied a unique niche in its competitive set. It was less powerful than the BMW M5 or Mercedes-AMG E63, and its lap times reflected this disadvantage. But in terms of driver reward, emotional engagement, and the simple pleasure of a naturally aspirated V8 building power through its rev range, the GS F offered something its turbocharged rivals could not. For enthusiasts who valued character over statistics, the GS F was a compelling choice.

With the GS nameplate discontinued after 2020 and Lexus increasingly focused on electrification, the GS F represents the end of an era. The combination of a naturally aspirated V8, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission option, and traditional luxury sedan proportions is unlikely to be replicated by Lexus or any other Japanese manufacturer.