GS Chronology
02-14-04, 01:02 PM
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GS Chronology
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_li...003gs300-430_h
MILESTONES
* Jan. 1993 - A new addition to the Lexus family, the Lexus GS 300 luxury performance sedan, makes its debut at the Los Angeles auto show and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
* March 1993 - The GS 300 goes on sale.
* Jan. 1997 - Lexus introduces the HPS (High Performance Sedan) concept vehicle at the 1997 North American International Auto Show. The HPS is a dramatic hint of the all-new GS 400/300 performance sedan to be launched as part of the Lexus model line-up for 1998.
* Sept. 1997 - Lexus introduces its next-generation GS 400/300. New engines featuring Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) produce 300 horsepower in the V8 GS 400 and 225 horsepower in the six-cylinder GS 300. A new 5-speed automatic transmission is also installed. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" advertising campaign is acclaimed for its dramatic impact.
* Oct. 1997 - The second-generation GS 400/300 goes on sale.
* Dec. 1997 - Lexus debuted its one-of-a-kind Street Rod at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Based on a '32 roadster, the Lexus Street Rod was created to showcase a specially modified Lexus GS 400 V8, producing more than 400 horsepower.
* Apr. 1999 - Team Lexus launched and debuted two privateer Lexus GS 400 racecars in the Motorola Cup series. In its successful inaugural season, the GS 400 secured four podium finishes in nine races.
* Aug. 2000 - Lexus L-Tuned Sport Packages, aftermarket sport packages that add more performance and style to the GS series, go on sale through Lexus dealers.
* Sept. 2000 - The GS receives a new 4.3-liter V8 engine and is re-named the GS 430.
* March 2003 - Lexus introduces a limited edition GS 300 SportDesign model. The 2003 SportDesign edition features new saddle-color leather seats, gunmetal-colored aluminum wheels and an exclusive Graphite Gray Pearl exterior.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
* May 1994 - The GS 300 takes the second spot (between LS 400 and ES 300) in J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).
* June 1996 - Toyota Motor Corporation's Tahara Plant, home of the GS 300 (and LS 400) captures the J.D. Power and Associates Gold Plant Award among Asian manufacturing facilities.
* Feb. 1997 - The research firm IntelliChoice names the GS 300 a "Best Overall Value" in the Luxury Car category.
* Oct. 1997 - The all-new GS 400 named a "Best Buy" in the luxury car category by Consumers Digest.
* Oct. 1997 - The GS 400 is given "Best of What's New" status by Popular Science.
* Nov. 1997 - The GS 400 wins the American Automobile Association (AAA) "Top Car" award for best all-around car in the $40,000 to $50,000 category.
* Dec. 1997 - The GS 400/300 high performance sedan series is named Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year."
* Jan. 1998 - The GS 400/300 are honored as one of Car & Driver's "10 Best."
* Dec. 1998 - Consumer Digest names the GS 400/300 a "Best Buy."
* Dec. 1998 - The GS 400 wins the American Automobile Association (AAA) "Top Car" award for the best all-around car in the $40,000 to $50,000 category.
* Jan. 1999 - The GS 400/300 is honored as one of Car and Driver magazine's "10 Best."
* Jan. 2000 - Car and Driver magazine again honors the GS 400/300 as one of its "10 Best."
* Oct. 2001 - The GS sedans are named "Most Appealing Mid-Luxury Sedans" in J.D. Power and Associates' APEAL Study.
* April 2001 - Consumer Guide rates the GS 300 a "Best Buy."
* March 2002 - Consumer Reports rates the GS 300 and GS 430 a Luxury Car "Best Buy."
* May 2002 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the mid-luxury car segment of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.
* November 2002 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the entry luxury car segment of the 2003 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI).
* May 2003 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the mid-size luxury segment in the J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study. J.D. Power and Associates also awarded the GS 300/430 manufacturing facility, the Tahara Plant in Japan, the worldwide Platinum Plant Award.
# # #
MILESTONES
* Jan. 1993 - A new addition to the Lexus family, the Lexus GS 300 luxury performance sedan, makes its debut at the Los Angeles auto show and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
* March 1993 - The GS 300 goes on sale.
* Jan. 1997 - Lexus introduces the HPS (High Performance Sedan) concept vehicle at the 1997 North American International Auto Show. The HPS is a dramatic hint of the all-new GS 400/300 performance sedan to be launched as part of the Lexus model line-up for 1998.
* Sept. 1997 - Lexus introduces its next-generation GS 400/300. New engines featuring Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) produce 300 horsepower in the V8 GS 400 and 225 horsepower in the six-cylinder GS 300. A new 5-speed automatic transmission is also installed. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" advertising campaign is acclaimed for its dramatic impact.
* Oct. 1997 - The second-generation GS 400/300 goes on sale.
* Dec. 1997 - Lexus debuted its one-of-a-kind Street Rod at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Based on a '32 roadster, the Lexus Street Rod was created to showcase a specially modified Lexus GS 400 V8, producing more than 400 horsepower.
* Apr. 1999 - Team Lexus launched and debuted two privateer Lexus GS 400 racecars in the Motorola Cup series. In its successful inaugural season, the GS 400 secured four podium finishes in nine races.
* Aug. 2000 - Lexus L-Tuned Sport Packages, aftermarket sport packages that add more performance and style to the GS series, go on sale through Lexus dealers.
* Sept. 2000 - The GS receives a new 4.3-liter V8 engine and is re-named the GS 430.
* March 2003 - Lexus introduces a limited edition GS 300 SportDesign model. The 2003 SportDesign edition features new saddle-color leather seats, gunmetal-colored aluminum wheels and an exclusive Graphite Gray Pearl exterior.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
* May 1994 - The GS 300 takes the second spot (between LS 400 and ES 300) in J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).
* June 1996 - Toyota Motor Corporation's Tahara Plant, home of the GS 300 (and LS 400) captures the J.D. Power and Associates Gold Plant Award among Asian manufacturing facilities.
* Feb. 1997 - The research firm IntelliChoice names the GS 300 a "Best Overall Value" in the Luxury Car category.
* Oct. 1997 - The all-new GS 400 named a "Best Buy" in the luxury car category by Consumers Digest.
* Oct. 1997 - The GS 400 is given "Best of What's New" status by Popular Science.
* Nov. 1997 - The GS 400 wins the American Automobile Association (AAA) "Top Car" award for best all-around car in the $40,000 to $50,000 category.
* Dec. 1997 - The GS 400/300 high performance sedan series is named Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year."
* Jan. 1998 - The GS 400/300 are honored as one of Car & Driver's "10 Best."
* Dec. 1998 - Consumer Digest names the GS 400/300 a "Best Buy."
* Dec. 1998 - The GS 400 wins the American Automobile Association (AAA) "Top Car" award for the best all-around car in the $40,000 to $50,000 category.
* Jan. 1999 - The GS 400/300 is honored as one of Car and Driver magazine's "10 Best."
* Jan. 2000 - Car and Driver magazine again honors the GS 400/300 as one of its "10 Best."
* Oct. 2001 - The GS sedans are named "Most Appealing Mid-Luxury Sedans" in J.D. Power and Associates' APEAL Study.
* April 2001 - Consumer Guide rates the GS 300 a "Best Buy."
* March 2002 - Consumer Reports rates the GS 300 and GS 430 a Luxury Car "Best Buy."
* May 2002 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the mid-luxury car segment of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.
* November 2002 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the entry luxury car segment of the 2003 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI).
* May 2003 - The GS 430/300 ranks first in the mid-size luxury segment in the J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study. J.D. Power and Associates also awarded the GS 300/430 manufacturing facility, the Tahara Plant in Japan, the worldwide Platinum Plant Award.
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