Lexus GS

The Lexus GS is a car manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand, based on the platform and running gear of the Toyota Crown. In Japan, it is sold as the Toyota Aristo. It was introduced in 1991 in Japan and 1993 in US, Europe and selected markets in Asia. This car was designed to slot between the ES and LS. Its main competitors are the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-class.

Both GS and Aristo are essentially identical cars but with different engine/gearbox combinations as well as equipment levels, not to mention that the Aristo is only made in RHD form.

First generation (1991-1997)

The Aristo was launched in October 1991, with two versions offered: the R6 3.0 24 valve with the 276hp (205kW) twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine, and the 3.0Q with 226hp (169kW) 2JZ-GE engine. The styling was the responsibility of the famous Italian styling house Ital Design. A third model joined the Aristo lineup in 1992. Called the 4.0Zi-Four, it came with the 1UZ-FE engine found in the Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS and the Toyota Crown Majesta. Four wheel drive was also standard on this car which bore the chassis code, UZS143. Production of the Lexus GS 300 (JZS147) began on February 22, 1993 at the Tahara, Japan assembly plant. The only engine available for the export markets was the 2JZ-GE.