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Lexus goes sporty again


Lexus goes sporty again

Author: Trent NikolicDate: 2 November 2011
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Some years back, Lexus chose the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas as the place to debut its tough V8 IS F. 

And once again, Sin City's SEMA show has been chosen as the perfect location to pull the cover off another new performance model. This time around it’s the GS 350 F Sport, and it’s no less muscular looking than the IS F.

According to Lexus, the F Sport GS has been designed to engage driving enthusiasts thanks to a range of driver-focused upgrades to the chassis, suspension, brakes and steering. This should make the GS genuinely formidable to drive and genuinely impressive in a performance sense.

Unique to the F Sport package will be aggressive, staggered-width 19-inch wheels, F Sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), thicker anti-roll bars, up-rated suspension bushes, and larger two-piece front brakes with high friction pads.

Additions to the F Sport continue with Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and a Lexus first in the newly developed Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system with Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) for those seeking more agility.

The IS F was an impressive drive when pushed hard on a racetrack and it seems the GS will be able to deliver similar levels of handling, grip and steering feel. The steering in particular will benefit from some very clever technology.

Monitoring vehicle speed, steering direction and driver inputs, the system calculates the optimum angle for all four wheels. LDH helps to optimise the vehicle slip angle.

Using VGRS in the front and DRS in the rear, the combined systems can independently manage both front and rear wheel steering angles to help improve turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle control and overall agility when cornering.

Dynamic Rear Steer (a first for Lexus) alters the rear wheel angles between 0 and 2 degree - offering greater manoeuvrability at low to mid speeds (up to 80km/h) and stability at higher speeds over 80km/h.

A world first, stopping power for F SPORT models is provided via larger two-piece brake rotors with aluminium hats to reduce both reduce weight and suppress heat deformation. The GS 350 F SPORT will be exclusively equipped with 19-inch staggered width wheels paired with 235/40/19 front and 265/35/19 rear tyres - the widest rear tyres ever on a Lexus sedan.

Inside, the all-new package also features a sporty attitude with a new 16-way power driver's sport seat, unique interior design treatment and exclusive Garnet red leather interior. The GS 350 F Sport can be easily distinguished from the other models in the GS range due to a number of external styling differences.

Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb said that the all-new GS 350 F Sport is an exciting vehicle, and one that will be a strong competitor in the large luxury sedan segment.

"The all-new GS 350 F Sport is a vehicle that will appeal to the sporting driver, those who seek performance and comfort without compromise," said Mr Cramb.

"With dynamic handling, incredible stopping power and a true sporting feel, the GS 350 F Sport is a vehicle that offers the best of everything to the enthusiast.

"GS 350 F Sport is a true sports luxury sedan, offering the ideal mix of driving performance, comfort and advanced technology."

 

Tags:

News, Coupe, Luxury, Sports, GS, News

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