2020 Lexus GS F 4-Dr Sedan Review by David Colman

The Sublime Sedan

By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

2020 Lexus GS F

The executive hot rod has a long proud history. Back in the 1950s, Lincoln created this hybrid with its V8 powered sedans that proved so potent they won their class in the daunting Mexican Road Race. In the 1960s, Chrysler took the concept of the velvet brute to new heights with their letter series sedans like the 300G and 300F which won early NASCAR championships. Today, the concept of an elegant touring car bred to race still has merit at Lexus. In concept, the 2020 GS F is a direct descendant of those Lincolns and Chryslers of yore. It's designed to serve an elite clientele thanks to its superb build quality and elegant fitments. Yet it's also designed to race with the current crop of hot sedans and sports cars in IMSA's GT Daytona (GTD) class. Like its predecessors, the Lexus GS F we drove has also earned its performance stripes in the toughest international company.

2020 Lexus GS F

From the instant you depress the fat start button, you know you've brought a very special engine to life. Lexus designates this 5.0 liter V8 their 2UR-GSE motor. It revs to more than 7000rpm, and the huge tachometer face that confronts you on the dashboard continually reminds you of that delicious fact. The over-square engine (bigger 94mm bore than 89.5mm stroke) loves to rev to redline. But that's hardly ever necessary, considering that it produces 467hp and a whopping 389 pound-feet of torque through a very wide power band. This motor lights off with a decidedly throaty rumble which increases in decibels if you select the "Sport+" drive mode that is available via a button on the center console.

Sport+ not only ups the sound output of the engine, but also invigorates the responsiveness of the engine, transmission and suspension. When you engage Sport+ mode by twisting the mode dial twice to the right, the central 12.3 inch display screen on the dashboard flashes "Sport+" briefly, then returns to displaying navigation or entertainment information. But once that flash of information disappears, it's hard to know which drive mode you are currently enjoying. That's because the small pictograph embedded in the lower part of the tachometer doesn't highlight which drive mode of the four available (Eco/Normal/Sport/Sport+) you have selected. Nonetheless, if you are sensitive to the GS F's level of response, you will find that Sport+ mode is readily apparent from the high level of throttle sensitivity, the stiffer shock absorber resilience, and the higher level of rpm selected by the transmission in every gear.

2020 Lexus GS F

The suspension is enhanced on the GS F by the inclusion of hand polished black BBS forged alloy rims which mount staggered size high performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport radials at each corner. Up front, the rims measure 9x19J with 255/35R19 tires, while the rear end gets super wide 10x19J wheels shod with 275/35R19 Michelins. These tires carry a sticky treadwear rating of TW 300 and a traction rating of AA. The sport provisions of the F package extend to Brembo ventilated brakes with high friction pads at each corner. The final piece of suspension tuning is a torque vectoring differential (TVD) which distributes force between the rear wheels automatically as needed. What's special about this particular TVD is its extreme control-ability. Just behind the mode button on the center console, you'll find a TVD button that lets you select the range of intercession provided by the differential. Three TVD modes are available: Standard, Slalom and Track. The latter emphasizes "stability for high speed sporty driving."

2020 Lexus GS F

Any executive hot rod worth its stopwatch will cloak its abundant performance envelope in a sleek wrapper of understated good looks and palatial comfort. While it can hardly be said that our test GS F's outrageously sparkling metallic "Flare Yellow Premium Paint" ($595) was in any way understated, the interior of the sedan was by contrast to the paint, almost sepulchral. The "F Spec Sport Seats," upholstered in ultra soft leather, artistically stitched, and tremendously supportive, were benchmark models of comfort and good taste. The driver gets 10 way adjustability, the passenger 8 way, and the rear seats are both inclined like sling loungers which require no adjustment at all for comfort. Tasteful application of real, not imitation carbon fiber ornaments the dash, and door panels as well as the front spoiler lip and the rear trunk spoiler.

Because the GS F is the consummate executive hot rod, it naturally carries a price only well paid executives will be able to afford. The base number on the GS F is $85,010, and with just a few options like the $1,380 Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio (17 speakers, 835 watts), the bottom line on this Lexus is $90,395. If you can afford the entry fee, the GS F will vault you into a very exclusive club of owners who value both good taste and very high performance.

2020 LEXUS GS F 4-DR SEDAN

ENGINE: 5.0 liter V8
HORSEPOWER: 467hp
TORQUE: 389lb.-ft.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 16MPG City/24MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $90,395

HYPES: Race Car Fast, Meticulously Tailored

GRIPES: Front Doors Swing Too Wide

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10