2015 Lexus GS 350 AWD F Sport on the track in Mirabel, Que.Paul Giamou
Lexus, the Toyota offshoot that primarily focuses on luxury cars has been criticized for its efforts on the performance car front, the legendary LFA notwithstanding.
But give credit where credit is due: Lexus took four different cars – the RC F, RC 350 F Sport, IS 350 F Sport and the GS 350 F Sport – to Circuit ICAR, a purpose-built facility carved from the runways of the former Mirabel Airport. It conspired to dampen the track with rain that sputtered throughout the afternoon. And, after some guidance around the 16-turn track, company officials handed over the keys, stepped back behind the protective guardrail and left us to our own devices. Bravery or stupidity? Your guess is equally valid as mine.
Of the four cars brought out to play, the GS 350 AWD F Sport is the least likely to be considered a candidate for track driving. It's a sedan, not a coupe. And it's a larger sedan than the IS, powered by the same 3.5-litre V-6 that's under the hood of both the IS 350 and RC 350. On paper, this wouldn't add up to much excitement; on wet pavement, it did.
Despite a less than razor-edged image, Lexus vehicles have, for years, showcased strong engine performance and decent rear-wheel drive platforms, the essential building blocks of world-class sports cars and sedans.
The V-6 in the GS develops 306 horsepower, a tame amount in an era with 75 production cars boasting 500 horsepower or more. The GS 350 weighs 105 kilograms more than an identically fitted IS 350. But the bigger sedan felt downright sprightly as it accelerated out of rain-soaked corners and splashed its way down the track's straight sections.
In the F Sport configuration, the Lexus gains a fourth drive mode calibrated to deliver crisper engine response. The suggestion is that the GS 350 AWD F Sport can run from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds – based on personal experience at ICAR, this seems a safe bet. While other models in the GS fleet have eight-speed automatic transmissions, the AWD version is saddled with a six-speed, which seems like ancient and inefficient technology for the open road. On a tight racetrack, though, the extra cogs were not missed.
Under normal conditions, the AWD system on the GS directs 70 per cent of the power to the rear wheels. This ensures that the Lexus approximates the feel of an RWD sedan. When loss of grip occurs – as it did frequently – the system automatically diverts power, up to half of it, to the front wheels. This set-up saw the Lexus power out of corners sideways, but quickly realign itself and start moving forward at a decent clip. With the traction control system switched off, the GS really came into its own, allowing for graceful drifts around corners and a rewarding driving experience.
The 2015 Lexus GS 350 AWD F Sport is not a brilliant sport sedan; on this there can be little doubt. But it has the underpinnings of a brilliant sport sedan and that's saying something.
You'll like this car if ... You desire luxury with a soupçon of sportiness.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $66,650
- Engine: 3.5-litre V-6
- Transmission/Drive: Six-speed automatic/All-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 12.6 city; 9.1 highway; 11.0 combined
- Alternatives: Acura RLX, Audi A6 3.0 TFSI, BMW 535i xDrive, Infiniti Q70 AWD Sport, Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC
RATINGS
- Looks: Not every vehicle in the Lexus fleet can get away with the overbearing hourglass front grille design, but the GS has the size and presence to make it work.
- Interior: At various points in history, the Lexus brand has shown other car makers the way in terms of interior refinement, quietness and sheer luxury. This is not one of those points; the GS has the hallmarks of a car that was best-in-class – in 2012.
- Performance: Certain aspects of the car (the engine, the AWD system, the inherent balance) make a great first impression; others (the transmission) signal that the GS is in need of updating. Over all, the car’s performance was surprisingly good, but even better levels are within reach.
- Technology: The 12.3-inch LED screen in the centre console boasts a vivid navigation system – that’s the good part. A number of functions are operated via Remote Touch, a fingertip-controlled touchpad – that’s not so good. The idea seems solid, but the overly sensitive surface can be difficult to control.
- Cargo: There’s plenty of hip and shoulder room for five adults, width that translates into good cargo carrying capacity in the cabin. The trunk has 14.3 cubic feet of space, a few feet down on the class leaders.
The Verdict
7.0
This GS has stellar traditional Lexus qualities, but certain aspects seem long in the tooth.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.