Toyota's Racing Division Sports Up The GS With The Debut Of NEW F Sport Parts - Has THIS Lexus Earned Its "Sport" Badge?

Unless this model is entered into a racing series like the M or 911, car enthusiasts will not take it seriously as a "sport" car

@quizz

You know, I am not sure if I agree with you on that. Maybe that theory is applicable in other countries; however, racing isn't big enough to make THAT much of an impact in the States.

Just my .02 cents.

"Any car can be made into a race car, but a race car based on a production car has nothing in common or is it sold to the public"


This web site is exhausting because of all the ignorant and false comments such as the one above.


Here are the rules for cars competing in the GT1 and GT2 categories at Le Mans. They have to be cars "which can be used perfectly
legally on the open road and available for sale thanks to
the dealer network of a manufacturer".


Art. 1 - Definition
1.1 - The "LE MANS" GRAND TOURING car ("LM" GT1) is defined
by the AUTOMOBILE-CLUB DE L'OUEST (ACO).
It is a car having an aptitude for sport with 2 doors, 2 or 2+2
seats, opened or closed, which can be used perfectly
legally on the open road and available for sale thanks to
the dealer network of a manufacturer recognised by the
ACO.

http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s02_corporate/2010_lms_reglement_lmgt1.pdf

---

ART. 1 - DEFINITION
1.1 - The "LE MANS" GRAND TOURING car ("LM" GT2) is defined by
the AUTOMOBILE-CLUB DE L'OUEST (ACO).
It is a car having an aptitude for sport with 2 doors, 2 or 2+2
seats, opened or closed, which can be used perfectly legally
on the open road and available for sale thanks to the dealer
network of a manufacturer recognised by the ACO.

http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s02_corporate/2010_lms_reglement_lmgt2.pdf

Right. So what did this mean?

"but a race car based on a production car has nothing in common or is it sold to the public".


The Porsche 911 GT3 that raced in the Le Mans GT2 class IS based on the production 911 and it CAN be purchased at a Porsche dealer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_GT3

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS. The GT3, named after the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) GT class it was designed to compete in, has a 3.6 litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, based on the unit used in the Porsche 962 and Porsche 911 GT1 race cars.

A number of variations, designed for road and track duty, have been introduced since its launch in 1999. The current range (997) includes three road and several racing models which listed below.

The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one make national Porsche Carrera Cup series, and the international Porsche Supercup. It has won championship and endurance races, including the GT class of the American Le Mans Series seven times, first overall in the 24 Hours of Daytona, and first overall at the 24 Hours Nürburgring six times.

nope. same engine for the 8th model year...even in this 'sport' version.

i didn't mentioned bmw, i simply pointed out that the engine is 8 years old. still slower than the competition too.

Kinda prefer the split headlights of previous ones. This one looks like an enlarged IS. Rearview mirror looks clunky at this scale.

Back to 'sport' debate.... every MFR is now that much closer to BMW, thanks to steering downgrade of the latter. We'll see.

Good luck with the front spoiler. Plenty of scratches and scapes. Overall look too boy racer. This will age very quickly.

What?! Lexus is at the same level as Bentley or Rolls Royce? I know you may be Lexus fanboy, but even you can see how ridiculous that statement is - sort of like Republicans that do not believe in facts. All three German luxury marquees have volume vehicles with higher price points then Lexus (And the LFA does not count - at least the R8 sells in real numbers). The S600, A8L W12, and the 760iL all cost more than any LS and can compete with Rolls or Bentley more evenly than an LS ever will. Also, I do not see how the F-Sport can compete against M, AMG, or RS versions of 5-Series, E-Class, and A6. All of these versions cost more than 100,000 Euros and close to $100,000 or so. Why would anyone pay that price for a Lexus? Just look at the market...it answers your question which are the true luxury marquees globally.

Read it again VISO.

"ALL NEW from TOYOTA'S RACING DIVISION...." with an old engine. It'll sell like hot cakes.. NOT!

... and larger brake discs, rear wheel steering (hybrid), new trims and comfort specs.
My personal experience is, more agility, better stability of F Sport. The dynamic difference is significant comparing to normal GS.
F Sport is much more ballanced at severe driving condition.
Not only the engine performance is important, however the hybrid power is much enough.

Sport credentials are earned on the track, not a photo shoot.

All respectable sports cars (not uber luxury cars) have participated in motorsports... Audi, BMW, MB, Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Bentley, Lamborghini... even Acura.

What credentials???? You bring out a good looking car that appeals to a heck of a lot of buyers and price it just right and you will have a WINNER!

Lexus defenders are so amusing. LOL!!! BMW has the M5 sedan, Mercedes has AMG. What does Lexus do to compete with this? They throw an “F” badge on it and modify the suspension, while leaving the same engine that is about 200+hp short. Obviously Lexus doesn’t add anywhere near the sporting performance as bmw does with the “M and Mercedes does with the AMGs.

We will have to wait for Lexus’ true “M” or “AMG” competitor. The GS “F Sport” isn’t it. Not even close. We need the "GS-F"

Where's the GS-F?

Base MSRP starts at over $52 grand for a "new" car with 306hp.

Base MSRP is 46,990. and the F-sport is not trying to compete with the M-5 that would be the GS-F. It's not out yet. GS-F sport loaded is 60k M-5 is 100k+

Try reading what the "Lexus" web site says Einstein. $52,590 base!

Lexus just wants to make some end roads to E-350 and 5series sales. I think they have a worthy car to do so.

MeanVulcan,

I guess you only watch NASCAR. Research before you post!

@NoMoreObama2012 - Really? Unless you've had your head in the sand, I suggest you do the research. How many 24 Le Mans wins does Audi have currently? And the list goes on....

Do you honestly think people buy Audis because of their Le Mans wins????? Really????

"A study released today has found that there's a strong link between participation in motorsports and sales on dealer lots."

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1047945_study-win-on-sunday-sell-on-monday-still-holds-true

About 13 years ago I bought a 99 Lexus GS with 300hp. That was a pretty cool car back then. So this is progress? O golly this new motor gets a few extra mpg than my V8 did. Let me go spend $50k. Oh wait I can get an 08 Maseratti Grand Turismo with 10k miles for $60k. Anybody here thinking GS??

I dont care about a V6.
My point is I could buy 300hp mid size GS Lexus 13 years ago.
That was pretty good then. Now I can buy 450-550 hp mid size from every lux manufacturer out there now except the Lexus. When Lexus first came out with the 90's GS, or SC they were pretty cool. Since then they fell asleep at the performance wheel in this class. They are way behind and have been for about 10 years. The LFA is a huge step in the right direction but they need performance in all catagories not jsut a $7000 tacky bolt on areo pkg

Maseratti?? You better buy 2 because one is going to always be in the shop. What no dealer in my city....I'll take the GS thank you!!LOL!!

If you lived in a city with demographics that could afford exotic cars you would have exotic car dealers. No enthusiast that could afford a Maseratti is going to buy a base GS. They have probably never steped foot in a Lexus dealer or noticed a GS on the road. Just another bland transportation appliance for the people that value value because they need to.

You must be a moron mbclk the website says BASE PRICE 46990.00

Hmmm. I believe that this article is about the "Lexus GSF-SPORT" which starts at $52,590.Perhaps you don't know how to read.

That is for the gs sedan 46990....That's all you need.....

thats all you need....if thats your budget.
If I wanted value for 300hp I would just buy a Honda Accord.

Your comment was 52k base for a 306hp car. The base price for the GS350 is 46990.00 and you get a 306hp V6. If you compare the F-package to BMW or Mercedes it will be thousands less. Lexus=value=quality......

you threw in one too many bars

Lexus=value-quality