Toyota_Aristo (Lexus GS)

The Lexus GS is a series of mid-size luxury sports sedans / executive cars sold by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The first GS, based on the platform and running gear of the Toyota Crown, was introduced in 1993 in the United States, Europe and selected markets in Asia. The second generation model premiered in 1998, using a new platform and adding a V8 version for the first time outside Japan. The current third generation GS, which premiered globally for the 2006 model year, comes in both V6, V8, and hybrid versions (GS 450h performance hybrid).

The GS was designed to fill the gap between the ES and LS and to provide Lexus with a sports sedan which could compete with the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In Japan, the GS was sold as the equivalent Toyota Aristo, which debuted in 1991 and was sold until the introduction of the Lexus marque there in 2005. Following the debut of the third generation GS, the Toyota Aristo was discontinued. Though essentially identical, GS and the Aristo differed in their engine and transmission combinations as well as equipment packages.

First generation (1991-1997)

With a body styled by the famous Italdesign Giugiaro firm, the Aristo was launched in October 1991, offering two inline-6 powered versions for the Japanese market: the 3.0Q and 3.0V. The 3.0Q Aristo featured a 2JZ-GE engine which produced 226?hp (169?kW). The 3.0V Aristo was equipped with a 24-valve twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine which produced 276?hp (205?kW). This twin-turbo engine was the same as could be found in the Toyota Supra Mk IV (JZA80). In 1992, a third model, the V8-powered 4.0Zi-Four (codename UZS143), joined the Aristo lineup. This model came with standard four-wheel drive and a 250 hp (186 kW) 1UZ-FE engine. This V8 had also been used in the first generation Lexus LS and the Toyota Crown Majesta. The Aristo/GS models were equipped with an independent, double-wishbone suspension setup.^[1] The only engine available for the export markets was the 2JZ-GE inline-6.

Second generation (1998-2005)

In 1998, the second generation Aristo was launched in Japan, codenamed JZS160 for models with the 2JZ-GE engines and JZS161 for those with the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engines. VVT-i was now standard, resulting in a bump in torque. The twin-turbo version was available with electronic four-wheel steering, VDC and an automatic gearbox with a manual sequential mode. No four-wheel drive models were offered. The new model’s styling was produced in-house, and featured quadruple headlights in a fashion similar to the Lexus SC coupe. Inside, electroluminiscent Lexus Optitron gauges were offered for the first time, along with an upgraded stereo system.

Third generation (2006-present)

The third generation GS was first introduced as a 2006 model at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The initial model lineup included the GS 300 (GRS190), with a 3.0?L V6 3GR-FSE engine, and the GS 430 (UZS190), with the same 4.3?L V8 used in the previous model. The GS 300 featured a direct-injection engine for all markets except for Continental Asia, excluding Singapore. The 3.0 L engine was also found in the Toyota Mark X as well as the Zero Toyota Crown. An all-wheel drive option was made available in the GS 300, thus becoming the first Lexus sedan to offer an all-wheel drive configuration. Production of the third generation began on January 24, 2005. The equivalent Aristo was not released as Toyota sought to align all world markets, including Japan, using Lexus as their luxury brand worldwide.