The presentation of Lexus GS 300 was held in January, 1993. The first generation was a sedan GS 300 with the rear-wheel drive and the four-speed automatic gearbox. The independent suspension by parallelogram is on the front axle and the multilink suspension with the rolling stability stabilizer. Lexus GS 300 is equipped with ventilated disc brakes.

Lexus GS 300 has the longitudinally mounted 24-valve gasoline engine of 3 liters with injection and the output of 212 hp. The maximum speed is 230 km/h. In a city the fuel consumption is 14 liters.

Four years later the new model GS 300 was presented at the Frankfurt auto show. The design of the second generation of Lexus GS was designed by Italdesign Gorgetto Giugiaro studio. The exterior of the vehicle was rather distinctive because of the combining of the European “four-headlights” and the Asian irregular shapes of headlights and the heavy rear part. Initially Lexus GS was equipped with only a three-liter engine, but since 1997 the vehicles had been started to equip with a four-liter engine. The name of vehicles depends on the engine: Lexus GS 300 and Lexus GS 400.

For example, Lexus GS 400 is equipped with the eight-cylinder 32-valve, 4 liter V-gasoline engine with injection and the output of 294 hp. The electronic fuel injection allowed reducing the fuel consumption by 10.2/13.8 liters per 100 kilometers. Lexus GS 400 has excellent dynamics owing to a five-speed automatic transmission. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h for 5.7 seconds and the maximum speed is 250 km/h.
The suspension of Lexus GS 400 was tuned for sport driving. The transmission is controlled by the keys under the steering wheel, as in a modern Ferrari Modena. There are the front and the rear stabilizer bar and disc brakes with ABS are on all four wheels. Standard features include the ABS system, the power steering and parking sensors.
Lexus GS400 interior is full of gadgets. The standard includes the onboard laptop, the navigation system, the separate air conditioning system for the front and the back rows and heated seats. A customer can offer leather upholstery of a cabin.
Lexus GS300 has the six-cylinder 24-valve 3-liter engine with injection and the output of 228 hp. This engine accelerates the car to 230 km/h. GS 300 is available to increase a speed of 100 km/h for 8.2 seconds.
In 1998 the new generation of Lexus GS 430 was introduced. The new car looks aggressive but elegant. Lexus is often positioned as a vehicle that the spirit of sportsmanship is not alien to it.
The list of technical equipment is beyond any expectations. The full electric controller, xenon headlights, ABS with the electronic brake force distribution, the emergency brake assist, the traction control, the vehicle stability control, the leather and natural wood decoration, the electrochromism (Anti glare) rear mirrors. Automatic switching on the external lighting when the dusk, the double action central lock (at first only the driver's door opens), the antitheft alarm, the electronic immobilizer, the automatic adjustment of the tilt beam of headlights, the pushing back driver seat by the switching off the ignition and the steering column.
Now days the separated climate control for a driver and passengers is taken for many people for granted, but experts of Lexus advanced. If the air outside is a very dirty or smoky, the special system will switch the recirculation mode of the climate control. The Nakamichi audio system with 6CD-changer and the automatic audio volume are adjusted depending on the ambient noise. Moreover, both the climate control and the audio system and the navigation system are controlled by finger touch in the multifunction 17.5-centimeter screen in the middle of the center console.
The car interior is expensive decorated. There are excellent leather seats and large decorative inserts on the side armrests. The dashboard and door trim was made of the quality plastic. The wood trim looks expensive and adds respectability to the interior. The distinguishing feature of the luxury cars is the perfection in each thing. The cabin is spacious enough. However, the car is clearly focused on four people including a driver. The back seats are designed for two people and even in spite of the third headrest there is no place for the third person because of a high central tunnel that is necessary for the rear-wheel drive.

There is the 4.3-liter engine with the output of 284 hp under the hood. But we can not seriously talk about deteriorations of the traction characteristics to please the economy and ecological compatibility. The lost 10 hp are compensated by rotations with the maximum output of 5600 hp to 6000 hp and the maximum torque increased at lower revolutions. In addition to the system of variable valve timing VVT-I the engine of GS 430 has the variable intake system that improves the torque, especially at the lower revolutions. And the ETSC-i complex controls the position of the throttle depending on driving conditions. This system monitors the speed by the constant accelerator position when driving downhill or increases the speed smoothly by the reduction of speed.

The magnificent five-step automatic gearbox has all modes to limit the top gear: 4, 3, 2, L. There is “kick-down” and sport mode. Kick-down adds a little dynamic but the sport mode greatly increases the responsiveness of the gearbox. Cd of this vehicle is 0.29.
The suspension and the steering of GS430 were changed. There is reinforced rolling stability, the twin tube gas shock absorbers. The suspension is also designed to prevent dives and squats.
Also we have to notice the powerful 17-inch alloy wheels with wide oval cross-section tires of 235/45.
In 2005 the new generation of Lexus GS was introduced. The elegant body lines are in harmony with the interior ergonomics and luxury finishes. The single body is longer by 2.5 centimeters longer than its predecessor had (the length is 4.82 meters). The typical front body part with four headlights and the branded grille “say” that this is a real Lexus. GS430 looks more muscular and dynamic due to the changing shapes of the front headlights, rounded body shapes, massive bumpers and the cab shifted back. The eccentric roof line gave the sedan a more sport exterior.
GS headlights have the Intelligent Adaptive Forward-lighting technology. The strength and direction of the light beam varies with the steering wheel and allows the driver to look into the turn.
GS interior is more spacious by increasing the wheelbase cars by 5 cm. The designers paid the special attention to the trim and passenger convenience, as it should be for such class cars. These are the comfortable seats with excellent side support, the optional climate control system and the audio system with ten speakers.

The smart system access/exit and start engine without a key was created for the driver convenience. Just touch the door handle to get in the car. The lock opens automatically if you have the keychain in your pocket. The engine starts by pressing a button on the center console. It is a real pleasure to park the car equipped with the rear view camera projecting the signal from onto the monitor on the console. The camera and the navigation system are offered as extra-cost features.
Technically Lexus GS is very similar to the vehicle of the previous generation. The car has the classic design and the rear-wheel drive. In order not to concede to competitors (Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-series) GS got the active suspension changing the hardness depending on the driving conditions. Also, there are two standard modes: comfort and sporty.
GS models are equipped with the 4.3-liter V8 engine with the output of 300 hp and the new 3-liter V6 engine with the output of 242 hp. Both engines are complemented by a new six-speed sequential automatic transmission. The adaptive suspension adjusts to road conditions. The four-wheel drive is available only for the 3-liter engine vehicles.
Lexus cars are always famous for its safety and the new generation GS is not the exception. It is equipped with the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM) that helps to cope with skidding and ensures stable driving. In addition, the new GS will be equipped with Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS) with the radar that optimizes the brake-gear and tightens the seat belts in the event of a possible accident.
Standard features include adaptive the front and the side airbags and airbags protected the feet and knees of passengers on front seats. These airbags are located in the bottom of the front panel and revealed simultaneously with the main front airbags, reducing the risk of injury the feet by the steering column and the dashboard. In addition, they protect the head and chest and prevent the diving of a passenger under the seat belt.
There are several versions of vehicles: GS300 (Standard, Executive and Luxury) and GS430 (Executive, Luxury).
In 2008 the Japanese made over GS 430 to GS 460. GS 460 is equipped with the new 4.6-liter V engine with the direct injection of the sedan Lexus LS 460. The engine of 342 hp and 460 Nm works with the eight-speed automatic gearbox. The equipment list of GS includes the radar cruise control, preventive security system that can automatically stop the car, the electronically controlled shock absorbers, the steering with variable gear ratio. Customers can also offer the all-wheel drive vehicles.
The fourth generation of Lexus GS was presented at the Frankfurt Motor show in 2011. The new model is based on the modernized platform with advanced track by 40 mm in front and 50 mm from the rear compared to its predecessor. The length is the same 4850 mm (the front overhang is shortened by 10 mm and the rear one is lengthened by 10 mm). the height increased by 30 mm (1470 mm), the width by 20 mm (1840 mm). The wheelbase is the same 2850 mm. There are three versions of vehicles: GS - 350 AWD, the rear-drive GS 250 and hybrid GS 450h in Russia and Europe.
The design of the new vehicle was made in Lexus LF-Gh style. GS 2012 looks more athletic and fit as compared with its predecessor. The outline of the new grille is associated with an hourglass shape. The lower part of the grille turns gradually into the bumper, where the huge central air intake is. Another important change is renunciation of double headlights, instead them there are monoblocks decorated with strings of light-emitting diodes. There are two forms of headlight of GS that can “look into” the turn, can be in two forms. The gasoline vehicles have bixenon headlights with the big projector of lower beam and high beam. The hybrid sedan has headlights with three light-emitting diodes. Firstly Lexus cars have blinkers and LED headlights of lower and upper beams in the same line. However, such headlights are only available in the Luxury and F SPORT Luxury packaging arrangements. In both cases, the headlight is integrated by L-shaped LED string of daytime running lights.

The profile line became stricter and fitter as compared to the third generation. The hood line and the front overhang became a little shorter. Thresholds and the back doors have more interesting curves. The back lights break outlines of wings but keeping the harmony of the total entourage. The drag coefficient is reduced to 0.26 Cd. Diluted exhaust casings of the gasoline vehicles are integrated into the bumper. The design of the rear bumper of hybrid close exhaust pipes outlets.

The interior of Lexus GS 2012 became more luxurious. Comfortable seats have an innumerable number of adjustments. Trim seats and door panels are available in six colors: ivory, light brown, dark brown, gray, pomegranate and black. The decoration inserts of interior are made of the natural veneer, and the hybrid vehicle has bamboo inserts.
The center console has no clear outlines and protuberances but it is distinguished by only characteristic elements. There is an 8-inch (12.3-inch one with a navigation system) screen of multimedia system in a special pocket at the top. There are buttons of the electromechanical parking brake with auto-lock feature under the button start/stop. The sedan is equipped with the energy-efficient climate control system that automatically detects the presence or absence of passengers, the analogous clock on the center console and the Mark Levinson audio system with 17 speakers as an option. The wide central tunnel decorated tree is a business card. There is Remote Touch, managing the multimedia system, the gearbox and the Drive Mode Select in it.
Unfortunately, the second row of seats is not foldable but the trunk has a special hatch allows to carry lengthy thin things. The ordinary GS trunk was increased to 564 liters due to the new design of the rear suspension. The trunk of a hybrid vehicle is more modest - 482 liters.
Lexus GS 2012 has three types of a V6 engine: a 2.5 liters (209 hp) engine and a 3.5 liters (317 hp) engine and the hybrid modification of an engine. All vehicles are equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission with the mode of sequential shift. A unique two-engine hybrid system GS 450h consists of a 290-horsepower V6 gasoline engine, running on the Atkinson cycle, and a compact electric motor. The hybrid propulsion system provides excellent dynamics. The combined consumption is only 6 liters per 100 kilometers. The total output of all-wheel drive of Lexus Hybrid Drive is 252 kW (343 hp). The car accelerates from 0 km/h to 100 km/h for 6.1 seconds and the high speed is 250 km/h.
The front suspension is independent by parallelogram and the rear suspension is multi-link, but with separate springs and shock absorbers.
There are 5 packaging arrangement of GS 250 and GS 350 AWD: Executive (only for GS 250 model), Premium, Luxury, F SPORT Premium and F SPORT Luxury (for GS 250 and GS 350 AWD models). The Executive GS 250 is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, side mirrors and windshield of wiper area, electrically adjustments of front seats. The basic equipment also includes the engine start button, the Drive Mode Select system, the cruise control, the leather multifunction steering wheel and the next-generation joystick Remote Touch, connected with an 8-inch color screen.
Customers of Premium GS will get 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, the leather front seats with ventilation, electrochromic rear view mirrors and electric foldable side mirrors.
Luxury GS is equipped with a display HUD, projecting the data on the windshield, the navigation system in Russian with the largest 12.3-inch color screen and the premium audio system Mark Levinson. The seats are made of the leather Semi-Aniline. Passengers of the rear row have heated seats and the three-zone climate control with air ionizer.
The first introduced F SPORT GS, completing both Premium and Luxury, includes: 18-inch alloy wheels and special designed front grille and bumpers, logos F SPORT, the multifunction steering wheel of perforated leather upholstery.
In addition, any model can be equipped with F SPORT as an extra charge. It includes: modified chassis, shock absorbers with variable characteristics and the steering wheel with variable gear ratio. Externally F SPORT singles out a by another aggressive front bumper, another netting grille and other small details.
GS 2012 has the perfect set of security features: 10 airbags, the system of projection information on the windshield containing even data of tachometer, the function cruise control (that works at all speeds), ESP, the night vision system, the Pre-Crash Safety system switching on a supervision camera for a driver, the Blind-Spot Monitoring system, Line Keeping Assist. There is also a Intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting System (i-afs) that automatically switches the lower and upper beam. Now pre-tensioner seat belts are part of packaging arrangement.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of the U.S.A. (IIHS) gave Lexus GS 2012 the highest rating Top Safety Pick for the passengers safety according to results of four types crash tests. For rating Top Safety Pick a car has to get maximum points in frontal, side and rear impacts and in testing, simulating a flip-over.