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.

Second generation (1997-2005)

The second generation Aristo was launched in Japan, codenamed JZS160 for cars with the 2JZ-GE engines and JZS161 for those with the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engines. VVT-i was now standard, resulting in a rise in torque. The twin-turbo version was available with electronic four-wheel steer as well as VDC and automatic gearbox with manual sequential mode. No 4WD models were offered.

The second generation GS (JZS160) was launched in 1998. The American market GS 400 was equipped with the UZ-series V8, producing 300 hp and 310 ft-lbs of torque. Edmunds reported a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds for the 3693-pound sedan.

The GS 430 replaced the GS 400 in 2001 and it was offered in Europe as well. Peak horsepower was unchanged, but torque increased to 325 ft-lbs. The 1998 Lexus GS began production on August 4, 1997. Again, no turbo models were offered outside Japan.