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Interior Design
To complement the aggressive-looking exterior of the F SPORT package, the
interior will feature an exclusive design treatment with smooth striated
aluminum trim, unique perforated leather trim, black headliner and aluminum
pedals. Distinctive F SPORT badging will be showcased on the steering wheel.
Focusing on the driver, the F SPORT package will feature a new 16-way power
sport seat for increased lateral support. The driver's seat will include a
Lexus-first with power side bolsters, thigh support, adjustable seatback and
four-way lumbar. To complete the uniqueness of the F SPORT package, a striking
Cabernet Red leather interior will also be available.
Painstaking attention to detail was applied to the GS cabin as well, to create a
balance of luxurious and technological amenities and emotional design. The new
layout of the long, sculpted dash gives the driver and front passenger a sense
of roominess through its clean center stack and new, large high-resolution
center control display placed deep near the front windshield. Most of the
comfort and convenience controls, such as audio and climate, were relocated to
provide a cleaner and more sophisticated dash layout.
The interior includes a number of embedded premium upgrades as standard
equipment. A new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow uses
the occupant-detection system to focus airflow only to the front area where
passengers are actually seated, a first-in-class technology. A next-generation
Remote Touch with one-push confirmation is standard on all models and enables
smooth, intuitive operations control.
The Remote Touch allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls,
optional navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with the
controller, eliminating the need to reach out. Remote Touch also reduces eye
movement and helps users operate functions with reduced effort and distraction.
A standard rear back-up camera helps add convenience.
The finely crafted cabin detail is complemented further by ambient lighting that
unobtrusively welcomes and guides the user into the vehicle, providing a
carefully designed experience. New white LED lights are sequentially lit to
illuminate the areas around the doors, center console and footwells. A new
analog clock with LED indicators, carved from an ingot, adds a unique touch, at
once both modern and traditional.
"The GS 350 with F SPORT Package will be a distinctive offering of luxury and
excitement," said Templin. "With its dynamic handling, stopping power and true
sporty feel this
F SPORT package will be sure to please our enthusiasts."
Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance
As with the GS 350, the GS 350 with F SPORT package is powered by an advanced
3.5-liter V6, with four cams, and four valves per cylinder and dual Variable
Valve Timing with intelligence. At 306 horsepower, it is one of the most
powerful base engines in the segment, as well as the only one with both port and
direct injection. It propels the car from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and at the
same time, fuel economy has been improved.
Acceleration from 30 to 50 mph can take just 3.0 seconds, and improved engine
sound characteristics complement the bolder, more energetic personality of the
new GS. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission has paddle
shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment.
The transmission incorporates many features adopted from the Lexus IS F
high-performance sedan - including faster shifts, and downshift throttle blips -
to support four driving modes that can be operated by toggling the Lexus Drive
Mode selector. In addition to the Normal mode, the driver can customize the
driving experience using ECO, Sport S and Sport S+ modes.
An optional electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is designed to
enhance traction in a variety of driving conditions. The system can vary
front-to-rear torque balance from 50/50 to as much as 30/70, depending on
driving conditions, for exceptional control.
Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
To provide a more engaging driving experience, including a new aerodynamic body,
a completely new platform with a wider stance and stiffer structure, a
transmission with quicker shifts, distinctive engine sound and exhaust notes,
and better seat support, Lexus engineers looked to the Lexus LFA supercar for
inspiration.
The new platform has been designed to be more rigid. Engineers conducted
extensive platform testing, ultimately increasing the number of spot welds and
adding laser welds in very specific locations. The track, wider by almost two
inches, works in combination with a revised suspension design to help ensure a
more solid stance and superior cornering performance.
The new suspension system is designed to help guide the 2013 GS through corners
with precision. In the front, upper and lower control arms are made from
aluminum and employ larger bushings. The rear subframe has been completely
redesigned to accommodate an all-new multi-link rear suspension, using improved
suspension geometry that helps retain tire cornering force and enhances rear
control. With the stiffer platform and lighter components, the shocks can use
lighter-viscosity oil, so they move easily and respond to small inputs more
quickly.
The use of front and rear aluminum control arms helps reduce unsprung weight and
results in significant improvements in agility, roll damping, ride comfort, body
control and steering precision. Overall, the suspension is lighter and stronger,
allowing it to react to driver input readily, and ride quietly without
harshness.
The GS 350 with F SPORT package will offer an optional newly developed Lexus
Dynamic Handling (LDH) system with Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) for those seeking
more agility. This leading edge platform technology offers Lexus' first
integration of DRS; Electric Power Steering; and Variable Gear Ratio Steering.
Monitoring vehicle speed, steering direction and driver inputs, the system
calculates the optimum angle for all four wheels. LDH helps to optimize the
vehicle slip angle. Using VGRS in the front and DRS in the rear, the system can
independently manage both front and rear wheel steering angles to help improve
turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle control and overall agility when cornering.
The latest generation of Lexus' unique Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management
system coordinates Lexus Dynamic Handling; the Anti-lock Braking System;
Traction Control; Vehicle Stability Control; and Adaptive Variable Suspension.
Adaptive Variable Suspension helps front and rear wheel control and provides
agile, sharp and confident driving behavior with a more direct response to the
driver's actions. The LDH system monitors vehicle speed and yaw rate, steering
angle and speed, and lateral G to calculate the required rear wheel steering
input, to a maximum DRS angle of 2.0 degrees. At most speeds below 50 mph the
front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions. In certain conditions at
speeds over 50 mph the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction.
Further coordinating DRS with VGRS and AVS, the Lexus Dynamic Handling system
will automatically customize the adaptive suspension tuning and active safety
systems to suit road conditions, vehicle speed and driving style, giving drivers
the confidence to fully utilize the exceptional driving performance of the GS
with F SPORT package.
The GS 350 RWD with F SPORT package will be exclusively equipped with 19-inch
staggered width wheels paired with 235/40/19 front and 265/35/19 rear tires, the
widest rear tires ever on a Lexus sedan. The wider width wheels allow for a
sportier look, and will also help provide added traction. All-wheel drive (AWD)
models will be paired with 235/40/19 all-season tires in the front and rear.
Safety/Security Features
As with the GS 350, the GS 350 with F SPORT package will be standard equipped
with 10 airbags, including a knee airbag for both front driver and passenger.
Rear seat occupants have seat-mounted side airbags, and all four outboard
occupants are equipped with side curtain airbags. Also standard are new Whiplash
Injury Lessening front seats designed to help limit excessive head movement, and
help decrease the severity of whiplash-type injuries in certain types of
rear-end collisions. Standard seatbelts with pretensioners with force limiters
used for front and outboard rear seats further assist occupant protection.
Available options to help further enhance occupant safety include a
Pre-Collision System, which uses the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System to
provide early warning of certain objects traveling directly ahead that might
result in a front-end collision. The system also uses a Lexus-first infrared
camera with new scanning technology to monitor the driver's eyes. In the event
that the driver does not appear to be looking forward when a collision appears
imminent, the system will initiate the warning at an earlier threshold. If the
driver still does not respond and make the appropriate maneuver, the system will
initiate braking intervention up to 1.2 seconds prior to impact, helping to
lessen the severity of the collision. With available Lexus Dynamic Handling, PCS
will help further mitigate the occurrence of a collision.
Other available safety systems include a Night Vision System that enhances
driver visibility at night; Heads Up Display; a Blind Spot Monitor that helps
detect vehicles in rear/side blind spots; and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane
Departure Warning (LDW). GS is the first in its segment to offer LKA with active
steering torque to provide a small amount to assist in maintaining course, while
the LDW feature alerts the driver if the system detects that the vehicle is
beginning to drift out of the lane.
Lexus GS 350 F Sport: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications