Lexus GS F coming in 2016 with 500 hp

Sat, 06 Sep 2014

The Lexus GS F has been one of those cars that's been rumored and whispered about for years, but has never come to fruition. The last time we spoke of the Lexus-badged BMW M5-killer was in a crop of spy photos, posted one year ago yesterday. So what's behind this latest rekindled round of rumors?

Well, according to Autocar, sources have claimed that the GS F will hit markets in 2016, and that it will make use of a more potent version of the Lexus RC F's 5.0-liter V8 that will sing to the tune of 500 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF will be included, as will a Torsen limited-slip diff. Taken as a whole, the executive sedan should get to 60 in the mid-four-second range and accelerate to a top speed of 170 miles per hour.

Prices in the UK will start at 80,000 pounds ($130,000 at today's rates, but as we know, translating British prices to American prices is an inexact science), and right away, we run into a big issue.

If, as Autocar claims, the GS F will arrive with 500 hp, a mid-four-second sprint to 60 and an 80,000-pound price tag, it will do so at a huge disadvantage relative to its competition. The base, 557-horsepower Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG has 557 hp, can hit 60 in 4.2 seconds and starts at 72,585 pounds. The BMW M5, meanwhile, has 560 hp and will hit 62 mph in 4.3 seconds, with prices starting at 73,940 pounds.

Autocar says Lexus will justify the price by offering a "very high level of standard equipment," but will that be enough to counter the fact that it's more expensive, less powerful and slower than the competition?

Well, we'll be waiting a while to find out. The magazine expects orders to open on GS F during the fourth quarter of 2015, meaning we could see a debut at the next Detroit, New York or Geneva shows.

By Brandon Turkus