Lexus debuts 2016 GS F
#361
Pole Position
I think you're on the right track with this logic. However, I would like to add this.
IMHO, Lexus engineers are not clueless as some of us would like to think. In order to justify the existence of the GS F, they must prove to the bean counters that there are buyers ready to write the checks. The business case probably went down like this:
- 550 HP GS F for 120K - Conquest sales = 0 (brand snobbery), Lexus enthusiasts = maybe 5? (love it, but too expensive...)
- 467 HP GS F for 70-80K - Conquest sales = 0 (brand snobbery), Lexus enthusiasts = 500 (GS 350 upgraders, ex IS F owners, RC F admirers needing 2 extra doors, and anyone else that wanted a fun, fast reliable sport sedan without breaking the bank)
Obviously the latter was chosen because the accountants weren't dumb. So if the 500 GS F buyer materialized as planned, the engineers would then have a stronger case to make the extra hot GS F.
Also, this might seem to be the equivalent of a GS 500, but starting the GS F line here is a much better move if they were planning to expand the model down the road.
IMHO, Lexus engineers are not clueless as some of us would like to think. In order to justify the existence of the GS F, they must prove to the bean counters that there are buyers ready to write the checks. The business case probably went down like this:
- 550 HP GS F for 120K - Conquest sales = 0 (brand snobbery), Lexus enthusiasts = maybe 5? (love it, but too expensive...)
- 467 HP GS F for 70-80K - Conquest sales = 0 (brand snobbery), Lexus enthusiasts = 500 (GS 350 upgraders, ex IS F owners, RC F admirers needing 2 extra doors, and anyone else that wanted a fun, fast reliable sport sedan without breaking the bank)
Obviously the latter was chosen because the accountants weren't dumb. So if the 500 GS F buyer materialized as planned, the engineers would then have a stronger case to make the extra hot GS F.
Also, this might seem to be the equivalent of a GS 500, but starting the GS F line here is a much better move if they were planning to expand the model down the road.
#362
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
lexus should certainly be able to offer a 550HP mid-size sedan for $100K (U.S.)
#363
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WA
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats for people that need to compensate for a lack of something else imo. Not everyone wants the most power, or the fastest in 0-60, 1/4 mile.
The RC F is the same weight and power, has no issue doing 4.3 0-60. Funny how the argument changes when a charger from dodge beats Mercedes BMW Audi Jag etc. in power but its "not in the same class"- which proves a point. You dont have to do what everyone else is doing because its "in your class". So what?
The RC F is the same weight and power, has no issue doing 4.3 0-60. Funny how the argument changes when a charger from dodge beats Mercedes BMW Audi Jag etc. in power but its "not in the same class"- which proves a point. You dont have to do what everyone else is doing because its "in your class". So what?
#364
exclusive matchup
iTrader: (4)
yeah i read that since beginning and i thought that's pretty much the production number here in the US (i surely hope that's not the number global). very small number indeed. not necessarily a bad thing imho.
#365
Lexus Test Driver
Doesn't matter what segment GSF will be competing with exactly, the fact is Lexus has been quite disappointing for us old school GS owners since its 2nd generation. At the time GS400 was ground-braking as the fastest mid sport sedan in the competition against 540i, E430,.. etc. Ever since then GS has always been underpowered. While LS430 was outputting 383 hp, GS430 was still under tuned to 340 hp with the same engine.
Last edited by gsintensive; 01-13-15 at 12:47 AM.
#366
Super Moderator
USA is Lexus' biggest market but this car maybe more suitable for Japan ...
Last edited by Gojirra99; 01-13-15 at 01:57 AM.
#367
Moderator
iTrader: (20)
Yea I really wish I could say this about this car but it hasn't really wowed me mostly due to the power , they went conservative as Lexus always seems to do. They should have at least given it some more horses than the RC and more torque as well. I have waited for a while and many others as well who were hoping for real power gains.
#368
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Watch Lexus' 2015 Detroit Show Presentation Live; Will They Debut A New RX?
Watch live here
At 8:40 AM EST today, Lexus will hold its press conference at the Detroit auto show, and the big question lingering in most minds is whether it will unveil the redesigned RX crossover.
Back in November, Lexus Group Vice President Jeff Bracken had told the media that the Japanese brand will have "at least one, if not two models" making their world premiere at the Cobo Center, but he had declined to name them.
Fast forward to today, and Lexus has already confirmed and previewed the new GS F performance sedan that's powered (or is that underpowered?) by an atmospheric 5.0-liter V8 churning out 467 ponies.
We'll soon find out if it will be alone or if it will be joined by another world premiere in Detroit.
Back in November, Lexus Group Vice President Jeff Bracken had told the media that the Japanese brand will have "at least one, if not two models" making their world premiere at the Cobo Center, but he had declined to name them.
Fast forward to today, and Lexus has already confirmed and previewed the new GS F performance sedan that's powered (or is that underpowered?) by an atmospheric 5.0-liter V8 churning out 467 ponies.
We'll soon find out if it will be alone or if it will be joined by another world premiere in Detroit.
#375