The Lexus GS is a series of mid-size luxury sports sedans / executive cars sold by Lexus since 1993. Designed to fill the gap between the ES and LS, and to provide Lexus with a performance sedan to compete in the mid-luxury class, three generations of the GS have been produced to date. The first incarnation of the GS was introduced in 1993 in the United States, Europe and selected markets in Asia. The second generation model premiered in 1998, using a new platform and adding a V8 version for the first time outside Japan. The current third generation GS, which premiered globally for the 2006 model year, comes in both V6, V8, and hybrid versions, later known as the GS 450h performance hybrid. The third generation GS is also the first model to feature Lexus' own L-finesse styling upon its introduction.
In Japan, the equivalent Toyota Aristo (トヨタ・アリスト) was sold from its 1991 debut until the introduction of the Lexus marque and the third generation GS in 2005. Though largely identical in exterior and interior design, the first two generations of the GS and the Aristo differed in their engine and transmission combinations as well as equipment packages. The Aristo nameplate ("Aristo" is Greek for "the best") was discontinued following the debut of the Lexus marque and the third generation GS in Japan.
Styled by the famous Italdesign Giugiaro firm, and equipped with an independent, double-wishbone suspension setup, the Toyota Aristo was launched in October 1991, offering two inline-6 powered versions for the Japanese market: the 3.0Q and 3.0V. The Aristo 3.0Q (codename JZS147) featured a 2JZ-GE engine which produced 226 hp (169 kW), while the Aristo 3.0V (JZS147) was equipped with a 24-valve twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine which produced 276 hp (205 kW). This twin-turbo engine was the same as could be found in the Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80). In 1992, a third model, the V8-powered 4.0Zi-Four (codename UZS143), joined the Aristo lineup. This model came with standard four-wheel drive and a 250 hp (186 kW) 1UZ-FE engine. This V8 had also been used in the first generation Lexus LS and the Toyota Crown Majesta. However, the only engine available for export markets was the 2JZ-GE inline-6.
Production of the Lexus GS 300 (JZS147) began on February 22, 1993 at the Tahara, Japan assembly plant. At the time, the GS represented the latest advancement of Tahara production technology, with only eight spot welds performed by hand. The rest, some 4,200 welds, were performed by robots. Italdesign Giugiaro's exterior styling blended elements of the original LS flagship and SC performance coupe in a rounded, aerodynamic shape, complementing the rest of the Lexus lineup. The vehicle adopted a wedge-like shape with high rear decklid, and longer and wider proportions than competing vehicles. The exterior shape of the original GS produced a drag coefficient of 0.31 Cd. Offered color schemes included single-tone bumper and body finishes, along with dual-tone schemes.
As Lexus' first rear-wheel drive sports sedan, the GS was placed above the front-wheel drive ES luxury sedan with its superior drivetrain setup, power and available amenities. The 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-6 producing up to 226 hp (169 kW) and 210 lb·ft (285 N·m) of torque served as the powerplant. According to reviewer testing, 0–60 acceleration times for the GS 300 were clocked at slightly over nine seconds.
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