2018 Lexus Gs f Performance Balances Track Ready Handling And Composed Road Manners REVIEW
Channel: Premium Cars
Date: 11/12/2017

The Lexus GS F balances track-ready handling with ready power and composed road manners, but the V-8 engine can’t match the output of several rivals.

The Lexus GS is an accomplished sport sedan in its own right, but the GS F turns up the wick considerably, making it a real track car that still offers composed road manners. We rate the GS F an 8 for performance, giving it points for power, handling, and steering response. 

To the GS’s structure, the GS F adds four extra underbody braces to stiffen the structure, and it gets better suspension and chassis hardware. The double-wishbone front and rear suspensions are common to both cars, but the GS F has its own geometry and it uses aluminum for some of the components to reduce unsprung weight. Adaptive shocks are standard, and so are larger brakes, forged 19-inch wheels, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, and an electrically controlled, clutch-actuated torque-vectoring differential.

The GS F has a Drive Mode Selector with Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport S+ modes, and the torque-vectoring differential has Normal, Slalom, and Track modes. The various modes really change the car’s dynamic personality.

Left in the two Normal modes, the GS F has light, quick steering with crisp turn-in. However, when pushed hard, the traction control kicks in too willingly and the tires give up grip in corners, allowing the car to push forward rather than rotate in tight quarters, a condition known as understeer.

Opt for the Sport S or Sport S+ modes and put the differential in Slalom or Track and the GS F suddenly drives smaller than its size. It rotates willingly, becoming more agile on a track or through tight corners. In any mode, the Brembo brakes provide strong stopping power.

The GS F’s long wheelbase helps iron out some ride harshness, making it a fairly comfortable cruiser.

The biggest difference between the GS and GS F is the 5.0-liter V-8 under the sculpted hood. It spins out 467-horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque.

This throaty V-8 revs easily to 7,300 rpm, shifts quickly through its 8-speed automatic, and Lexus even pipes in some of its V-8 howl through the speakers into the cabin. Throttle response is immediate, and the 0-60 mph sprint takes just 4.5 seconds. While the power is plentiful, the GS F’s thrust isn’t as otherworldly as its German and American rivals.