1) it doesn't kickdown to the lowest possible gear. With my '13 GS, if you floored it at 55 mph it would kick down to second, but with the 8AT, anywhere from 45-60 (i use that range since the gearing is different) it downshifts but i feel it can go down a lower gear. Bottom line, you don't get that exhilarating kick down feeling with the 8AT like you did with the 6AT.

2) the shifting is definitely faster, in manual mode noticeably faster shifts in between gears and downshifts are quicker as well.

3) I noticed the car now has the 'full throttle' button at the bottom of the pedal like german cars do. My '13 GS didn't have that either.

 

What full throttle button?

 

The extra click on the gas pedal after full throttle.

 

How do u activate this? Just floor it until u can't go anymore? What is it for?

I didn't know this.

 

Floor it and push past the resistance at the end. Basically tells the car that you want everything it's got.

 

Does the 2014 have it? It has the 8 speed transmission too.

 

Yup...it's one of my favorite times of day.

 

Warp speed!

 

Yeah my car has it. If you push the pedal down all of the way, the car will down shift one or two. Push harder and make the pedal click, it will usually downshift one more gear. I have no issue with my 8 speed downshifting and giving it all its got. But the 8 speed is geared different so at 45-50 it might not have the same leap down like the 6 speed did. Different ratios, but there's a different speed/spot that the 8 speed will act like the 6. I just can't remember the exact speed. I was messing around with this the other day, passing cars and trying to see what speed I could be going to really get it to drop gears and haul.

Edit. Since there's more gears, you must be going slower to get it drop its *** and run. Op, try going 50 and flooring it. It will drop gears like the 6 did.

 

FULL THROTTLE MODE!

Yup I confirmed this a few months ago. I have a 2014 GS350. All you have to do is push all the way on the gas pedal and then roll your toes forward and push a little more. Otherwise full throttle is only really 90%.

 

I think a few people may have just realized their GS can go a little faster lol

 

U all just made me very happy. Thank u, now I'm gonna try this out!!!

 

Alright I just tried it on the freeway. This thing worked! Basically all the bad comments I made regarding the 8 speed tranny just throw it out the window! The car downshifts and jet away from everybody else when passing like it supposed to. I knew this car can do it but wasn't pushing hard enough, no more hesitation!

Man I'm loving this car even more now!!

 

You mean you weren't aware of the accelerator pedal detent (kickdown) switch in cars with automatic transmissions?

 

My other cars don't have this extra kick on the pedal.