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Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,985
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From: Florida
It's begun
Lexus To Stop Producing The GS For Europe In April
"To those that have been following developments with the GS in recent months, this news shouldn’t come as a surprise.
As a matter of fact, reports surfaced in April 2017 indicating that Lexus didn’t intend on launching a next-gen GS and would instead replace it with an updated ES. Whereas the GS has rear-wheel drive underpinnings, the next ES will be based on the cheaper front-wheel drive architecture of the Camry.
Ending production for European examples therefore appears to be the first nail in the coffin for the GS.
While this is sad, it’s hard to deny that the GS and ES are far too similar to each other to co-exist in the Lexus range. Furthermore, the GS has never been able to rival its German competitors, despite being praised in GS F guise for its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and impressive handling.
Furthermore, the all-new LS is a significant step above the current model, meaning it too has encroached on the GS’ market."
https://www.carscoops.com/2018/03/le...-europe-april/
"To those that have been following developments with the GS in recent months, this news shouldn’t come as a surprise.
As a matter of fact, reports surfaced in April 2017 indicating that Lexus didn’t intend on launching a next-gen GS and would instead replace it with an updated ES. Whereas the GS has rear-wheel drive underpinnings, the next ES will be based on the cheaper front-wheel drive architecture of the Camry.
Ending production for European examples therefore appears to be the first nail in the coffin for the GS.
While this is sad, it’s hard to deny that the GS and ES are far too similar to each other to co-exist in the Lexus range. Furthermore, the GS has never been able to rival its German competitors, despite being praised in GS F guise for its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and impressive handling.
Furthermore, the all-new LS is a significant step above the current model, meaning it too has encroached on the GS’ market."
https://www.carscoops.com/2018/03/le...-europe-april/
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 76
From: Arizona
Glad I got one while I could then. The death of the GS is more about people wanting to be pampered than actually enjoying the drive. No one really gives a rip if anything actually handles or drives nice. A) what status symbol does this car give me for my FB pages and B) can I take a nap while driving? If you look at the ultimate driving machine, they are coming out with squishy cars on stilts. Doubt they will discontinue the 3, 5, or 7 series, but those aren't selling well either. The GS has never been a great seller, but for those of us who actually enjoy rear wheel drive vehicles, this marks another option down the drain. sad!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 540
Likes: 32
From: Ma
The GS is nice and definitely caters to me and all the other RWD snobs out there who have had traumatic experiences with the German brands.
I will have to make a choice next time I buy a car to either move into a LS 500 or perhaps a Toyota 4runner, or maybe something completely different like a Porsche 911 Targa 4s. Who the hell knows.
If all works out, I will keep the GS long enough to pass it down to my oldest kid for when she gets her driver’s license in 5 years!
I will have to make a choice next time I buy a car to either move into a LS 500 or perhaps a Toyota 4runner, or maybe something completely different like a Porsche 911 Targa 4s. Who the hell knows.
If all works out, I will keep the GS long enough to pass it down to my oldest kid for when she gets her driver’s license in 5 years!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 76
From: Arizona
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 76
From: Arizona
The GS is nice and definitely caters to me and all the other RWD snobs out there who have had traumatic experiences with the German brands.
I will have to make a choice next time I buy a car to either move into a LS 500 or perhaps a Toyota 4runner, or maybe something completely different like a Porsche 911 Targa 4s. Who the hell knows.
If all works out, I will keep the GS long enough to pass it down to my oldest kid for when she gets her driver’s license in 5 years!
I will have to make a choice next time I buy a car to either move into a LS 500 or perhaps a Toyota 4runner, or maybe something completely different like a Porsche 911 Targa 4s. Who the hell knows.
If all works out, I will keep the GS long enough to pass it down to my oldest kid for when she gets her driver’s license in 5 years!
Last edited by rj4510; Mar 27, 2018 at 04:25 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
I'm still not giving up hope on the next GS. Plenty of solid info out there about the next iteration.
However, it would not surprise me to see it take a one year hiatus like it did prior to the current gen. Remember that there was no 2012 GS in the states. I think it's possible there will be no 2019 GS but the 2020 GS will be debuted next year.
However, it would not surprise me to see it take a one year hiatus like it did prior to the current gen. Remember that there was no 2012 GS in the states. I think it's possible there will be no 2019 GS but the 2020 GS will be debuted next year.
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i think this was a huge mistake on lexus’ part. the ES will never sell as well as the 5 series/A6/E class being FWD and with a sluggish 300hp engine vs 340-380 with the competition. i can see the ES losing sales after this generation because i know people from the GS will not move over to one, or even me if i wanted to get a bigger car in the future. it’ll lose sales from the people who want the bread and butter smooth riding lexus because they have to make it more sporty to attempt to fill in for the GS. unless the ES has some type of AWD tech like audi has for the A6/S6, and with a higher performance offering, they will definitely have made the wrong decision
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 1,889
From: WA
AutoRAI claims to have received the news straight from the Japanese car manufacturer and asserts that a new-generation ES will effectively replace the GS throughout the Old Continent.
While it maybe true that they are ending production for Europe this spring, I find it odd that there is no Lexus press release or any sort of public comment, just one magazine reporting that another magazine heard it from Toyota. Rumors...
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 359
Likes: 104
From: PA
How is it possible for Lexus to have a price gap in sedans from 40k to 80k? The ES to LS? I would get the Avalon over the ES any day. If this is true, then Lexus's attempt to get respect and not be a boring car, was just flushed and a yacht won't save it.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 540
Likes: 32
From: Ma
What about this Motor Trend article?
https://www.google.com/amp/www.motor...e-f-badge/amp/
It states that there exists a 2019 GS F...
https://www.google.com/amp/www.motor...e-f-badge/amp/
It states that there exists a 2019 GS F...
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 623
From: South Carolina
It's why I settled on the GS. I was seriously contemplating an X3 or X5 with a hefty warranty, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Those are about the only two SUVs I could think of that are actually fun to drive. I loved my old GX, but the new one doesn't do it for me. The 4Runner could have been good, but without a V8, it's just not there anymore. We keep shrinking engines and adding gears and it's just not improving mileage as much as ruining the driving experience. Two years ago the wife and I went for an RX. Super nice ride, but I've hated it every time it comes to actually driving. Should have gone for the AWD hybrid. At least it goes when you give it gas. I just can't get into stopping the gas and hanging on for deal life hoping one of the front tires doesn't hit a high or low spot in the road. It amazes me more people aren't bothered by that. True AWDs eliminate this issue, but most things are FWD in the southwest. We're super hard pressed to find an AWD vehicle. In most cases, when they are traded in, they are shipped to colder regions, because they bring in more $$$. That and little 4 bangers with turbos ramping up makes for exciting driving....NOT!
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 120
From: MA
The death of the sedan:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/featu...rked-for-death
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/featu...rked-for-death
I don't think Lexus will ditch the segment though, but I think they are undergoing a sort of identity crisis.
That said if the GS as we know it is gone, I would without hesitation, still get into a GS-F AWD or something down the road, if it exists. the only thing lacking in the 4GS is
the juice, really.
-Mike
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 76
From: Arizona