Lexus · 2005–2011

Lexus GS

The Lexus GS (S190) is the third generation of the Lexus GS line of executive cars. Sold by Lexus from 2005 to 2011, the line includes multiple V6, V8, and hybrid models. A concept model for the GS line, the LF-S, debuted in late 2003 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The third generation GS first appeared as a pre-production vehicle at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the production version being shown a year later at the 2005 show. The initial lineup featured V6 and V8 engines with rear-wheel drive, and for the first time on a Lexus sedan, the option of all-wheel drive with the V6-powered GS 300 and GS 350 models. The GS 450h performance hybrid joined the lineup in 2006. The production GS was built on a newly designed mid-size platform which would also be used on the second-generation IS. Production of the third generation began on 24 January 2005 in the city of Tahara, Aichi, in Japan, where all GS models would be built. The third generation GS was also the first model to feature Lexus' own L-finesse styling upon its introduction.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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History of development

=== Concept === In October 2003, Lexus premiered the LF-S (Lexus Future Sedan), a concept car which presaged the design characteristics of the upcoming GS. The design features on the LF-S concept included a slingshot cabin, sleek profile, and fastback rear deck lid, which were translated to the production GS, while the windshield cleansing system, glass roof, and side cameras were not. Exterior. In 1999, development commenced on a successor to the S160 under chief engineer, Shigetoshi Miyoshi. Styling for both the exterior and interior was done under lead designer Yasuhide Hosoda between 2000 and 2002, during which L-finesse came to fruition in 2001. By 2002, a design was finalized, to be introduced the following year. The third generation GS was the introductory Lexus model for the marque's new L-finesse design philosophy. Characterized by swooping lines, a fastback profile, and more muscular styling, the GS indicated the future direction of the Lexus lineup. The production GS featured a slingshot cabin, first previewed on the earlier Lexus LF-S concept. The production GS also retained the quad headlamp design from the second generation model and previous Lexus SC while adding LED tailamps, and one-piece bumpers to create a more uniform appearance. The drag coefficient on the third generation GS design reached 0.27 Cd. Interior. The GS interior was available with ash leather and black Bird's eye maple wood trim, cashmere leather and brown bird's-eye maple trim, or black leather and walnut trim. Major standard features included a water repellent front door glass, an acoustic windshield, solar energy absorbing glass, electrochromic auto-dimming side mirrors with puddle lamps, electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror, 10-way driver and front passenger power and heated

Models

=== GRS191 / UZS190 (2005) === In September 2005, the GS 350 (GRS191) and GS 430 (UZS190) went on sale in Japan; the GS 350 using a 3.5-liter 2GR-FSE V6 engine with D4-S direct injection, while the GS 430 used the same 4.3-liter 3UZ-FE V8 used in the previous model. Sales in the United States began in March 2005 for the 2006 model year, with the initial U.S. model lineup including the GS 300 (GRS190), featuring a ULEV certified 3.0-liter 3GR-FSE V6 engine, and the GS 430. The GS 300 featured a D4 direct-injection fuel system for all markets except Continental Asia, excluding Singapore, becoming Toyota's first vehicle equipped with direct injection sold in the United States. The 3.0-liter engine was also found in the Toyota Mark X as well as the Zero Toyota Crown, however the new GS 300 was never offered in the Japanese market. The GS 300, GS 350, and GS 430 engine options were paired to a new 6-speed automatic sequential shift gearbox. An all-wheel drive system was made available in the GS 300, thus becoming the first Lexus sedan to offer such a configuration; the system varied the front/rear wheel torque split anywhere from 50/50 to 30/70 depending on conditions. Also new to the GS line was an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system replacing the previous model's hydraulic steering pump, while the V8 model featured a Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) system and Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) a type of brake-by-wire system. In August 2005, the GS 430 was the first car by Toyota with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). AVS monitors and adjusts the shock-absorber settings at each wheel, depending on the conditions. On rough roads, for example, damping is reduced for a more comfortable ride. And, while cornering, the suspension is tightened to help reduce body lean

Limited editions

75 "Neiman Marcus Edition" GS 450h sedans were offered as the annual holiday catalog car at a price of $65,000. All were sold in less than three hours on 19 October 2005 and were delivered around April 2006. In 2008, Lexus Japan released a 500-unit limited "Passionate Black" edition of the GS 350, GS 450h, and GS 460, featuring a custom black leather interior with red piping trim. Lexus Japan also released a 300-unit limited "Meteor Black" edition of the GS 350, featuring all-black leather interior with silver trim. For 2010, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the launch of Lexus Japan, a "Sunset" special edition model was produced in conjunction with Spanish design duo Stone Designs. The GS "Sunset" model featured a multi-tone interior with contrast seat leather hues of orange and saddle. The Lexus is now being used by the Wiltshire Police Constabulary in England as an unmarked police car. In 2007, a GS 450h was also entered in the Targa Newfoundland event.

Specifications

== Awards == Several awards won by the third generation Lexus GS include the Paul Pietsch Prize for Advanced Technology in 2007, awarded by technical editors of Auto Motor Und Sport, 2007 IF product design award from the International Forum Design group in Hannover, Germany, and Auto Bild "Auto 1" award for best sedan in 2007.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Lexus GS (S190)

Production

January 2005 – December 2011

Manufacturer

Toyota

Assembly

Japan: Tahara, Aichi (Tahara plant)

Designer

Yasuhide Hosoda, Isoroku Yamada and Sotiris Kovos (2002)

Class

Executive car (E)

Body style

4-door sedan

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, Front-engine, all-wheel drive

Platform

Toyota N platform

Related

Toyota Crown (S180), Toyota Crown (S200), Toyota Crown Majesta (S180), Toyota Crown Majesta (S200)

Engine

3.0 L 3GR-FSE V6 (gasoline), 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6 (gasoline/hybrid), 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 (gasoline), 4.6 L 1UR-FE V8 (gasoline) (Middle east), 4.6L 1UR-FSE V8 (gasoline)

Transmission

6-speed A760H/1E automatic, 6-speed A960E automatic, 8-speed AA80E automatic, CVT

Wheelbase

2850 mm

Length

2005-2009: 4826 mm, 2009-2011: 4844 mm

Width

1821 mm

Height

RWD: 1425 mm, AWD: 1435 mm

Predecessor

Lexus GS (S160)

Successor

Lexus GS (L10)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6537920CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GS_(S190)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1372638020 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lexus_GS_350_Black_Sapphire_Pearl.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Altair78 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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