Car and Driver, July 2004
"Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver's brand, Toyota's luxury division will set up an in-house performace shop much in the fashion of BMW's M division and Mercedes-Benz's well known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.
The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo autoshow. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz's 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.
Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5 liter V6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz's E55 AMG. The GT version is expected to go on sale in 2006.
One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling form the LF-C concept shown in New York and the 300hp V6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006."
IS350GT
LS500GT
"Eager to rid itself of the perception that Lexus is not a driver's brand, Toyota's luxury division will set up an in-house performace shop much in the fashion of BMW's M division and Mercedes-Benz's well known AMG tuning arm. The first three models to get the GT treatment will be the next generation IS350, GS350, and LS500.
The new LS500GT will borrow styling cues from the Lexus LF-S concept seen last fall at the Tokyo autoshow. Like the concept, the production LS500GT will have a hybrid system providing all-wheel drive by sending electric power to the front wheels. The total output is expected to reach an incredible 600 horsepower, 200 of which will be provided by the hybrid system. Intended to offer the performance of Mercedes-Benz's 12-cylinder cars with better fuel economy, the LS500GT is expected to top $100,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2006.
Like its more powerful stable mate, the GS350GT will employ a hybrid system to provide all-wheel drive and boost power. With the hybrid motor delivering 170 horsepower and the new 3.5 liter V6 producing 300 horsepower, the GS350GT is poised to take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz's E55 AMG. The GT version is expected to go on sale in 2006.
One Lexus that will receive the GT treatment but not the hybrid drive will be the forthcoming IS350. It will borrow styling form the LF-C concept shown in New York and the 300hp V6 from the GS350. The 85 extra horses will surely provide some needed moxie when the GT hits showrooms sometime in 2006."
IS350GT
LS500GT
![[hah]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hah.gif "Hah! [hah]"){kind=icon}
I dunno man lol ![[:o]](/images/smilies/redface.png "Embarrassment [:o]")