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Wikipedia: Lexus GS
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Lexus GS page on 13 September 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Lexus GS (Japanese: レクサス・GS, Rekusasu GS) is a mid-size luxury car sold by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The same car launched in 1991 as the Toyota Aristo in Japan, but the Lexus-badged model did not appear until 1993. Now in its fourth generation, the GS sold under the Aristo name in Japan only until the release of the third generation in 2005.
Designed as a performance sedan competing in the mid-luxury class, the GS slots between the entry-level/compact luxury IS and large/flagship LS, and shares its chassis with one of Toyota's longest-running platforms: the S-series which has been used under multiple generations of the Toyota Crown premium sedans.
Four generations of the GS have been produced since 1993, each available with six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive. V8 engines were offered in the second and third generations, and all-wheel drive and hybrid versions debuted in 2005. The first two generations had a Japanese domestic market equivalent, the Toyota Aristo (aristo is Greek for "the best"), which was sold from 1991 until the Lexus marque's domestic debut in 2005. Though largely identical in exterior and interior design, the GS and the Aristo differed in their engine and transmission combinations as well as equipment packages. The GS name stands for Grand Sedan. However, some Lexus importers use the backronymic name, Grand Sport.
The first-generation Lexus GS began sales in the United States, Europe and selected markets in Asia in 1993, where it was introduced with an inline-6 engine and exterior bodywork designed by Italdesign Giugiaro. The second-generation model premiered in 1997, using a new platform, in-house styling, and adding a V8 version for the first time outside Japan. The third-generation GS, which premiered globally for the 2006 model year, was produced in V6, V8, and hybrid versions, the latter known as the GS 450h performance hybrid. The third-generation models were the first GS sedans to be sold domestically in Japan.
The fourth-generation Lexus GS premiered in August 2011 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where models introduced included the V6-powered GS 350, hybrid GS 450h, and performance-tuned F Sport variants. A lower-displacement V6 model, the GS 250, premiered at the Auto Guangzhou Exhibition in November 2011, targeted at Asian and European markets. In some markets such as North America, the GS shares the mid-size sedan category in the Lexus lineup with the front-wheel drive ES.
Second generation (S160; 1997–2004)
In 2000, a facelift (designed in mid-1999) was introduced for the 2001 model year, which was the only year with any major changes in the second generation GS. New clear tail lights with turn signal indicators were added to the trunk area, as well as a slightly revised grille and very subtly tinted headlights on the front end. Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights were now standard on the V8 and optional on the straight-six. Inside, more wood trim was added, and steering wheel shift buttons were now also featured on the GS 300. The V8 engine also received a 0.3-liter increase in displacement and the model was renamed GS 430 (UZS161). Peak power was unchanged, but torque increased to 441 N·m (325 lb·ft). The GS 430 took 5.7 seconds to do 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h). For the 2001 model year, Lexus also added a limited production GS 300 "SportDesign" edition for North America, featuring the sport suspension from the GS 430, wider tires, and polished alloy wheels. The SportDesign interior added perforated leather upholstery along with brushed aluminum and dark stained walnut trim. For the third quarter of 2001, production of the GS 300 SportDesign was limited to a run of 3,300 units (vs. 25,000 annual GS sales annually). Production of the limited model occurred through 2004.
Reference Desk
The Crittenden Automotive Library's "Reference Desk" is a collection of materials that cannot be shared due to copyright restrictions. Information from these resources, however, can be shared. Go to the Reference Desk page for more information.
| Type | Title |
|---|---|
2001  Book | Lexus 2001 Repair Manual: GS 430 & GS 300 Volume 1; Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Die Cast - Matchbox K7489-0910 | Lexus GS430 | MBX Metal, 1:64 scale, tan |