2016 Lexus GS F

This is the car that Lexus enthusiasts have been hoping the brand would produce for years. The GS F is a proper F version – not F Sport – of the mid-sized GS luxury sedan, and it’s got the folks from Munich, Ingolstadt, Stuttgart and Detroit in its crosshairs.

The GS F borrows much of its hardware from the RC F, gaining its naturally aspirated high-revving 467-horsepower, 389 lb-ft of torque V8 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and electronically controlled torque vectoring rear differential. Unique suspension tuning, a stiffer body structure, six-piston Bremo brakes with orange-finish calipers, and a free-flowing exhaust make for what is by far the most hardcore GS ever to be produced. It’s also by far the most aggressive looking GS too, with an oversized mesh grille, huge intakes, stacked chromed exhaust tips, wide 19-inch wheels, and carbon-finish exterior trim.

Upgraded suspension components provide tightened handling and a flat ride in corners, but the overall tuning delivers a more compliant feel for day-to-day use. As with all of its rivals, the GS F has adjustable drive modes to change throttle, transmission shift points, and rear differential responsiveness, but the suspension’s conventional dampers cannot be adjusted. It is worth noting that the GS F is only available in rear-wheel drive.

While the GS F has a focus on performance, it has not come at the cost of comfort or luxury. Aggressively bolstered sports seats offer standard heating and ventilation, while the thick-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel power adjusts for reach and rake. The instrument cluster is also unique to the GS F, with an LFA-inspired oversized centre tach and 340-km/h speedometer offset to the right. While the interior wood trim has been replaced by carbon fibre, the cabin maintains its finely crafted feel with plenty of space for four adults.

Lexus’ sharp 12.3-inch infotainment display is standard, and is controlled by the Remote Touch interface which is wrapped in suede. The setup offers Siri Eyes-Free functionality, but not Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard stereo system is a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson unit.

The GS F is priced at $95,000 – slightly less than its German rivals an on par with the CTS-V. But there’s a key difference: there are no options to be had – everything is standard. High-tech features such as head-up display, rear climate and ventilation controls, radar cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and forward collision warning with emergency autonomous braking are included.