The GS 300 had been positioned as a "luxury performance" sedan. Its swoopy styling (by Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign firm in Italy) set it apart from the rather conservative styling of the other Lexus sedans. Toyota further toyed with the design to make it their own. Lexus called the flowing shape "one-stroke form."
The natural competitors of the GS 300 were the BMW 530, the Infiniti J30, the Acura Legend, and beginning in 1994, the new Oldsmobile Aurora and possibly the Chrysler LHS and Buick Riviera.
It had a basic inline 225-horsepower 6-cylinder dohc 24-valve engine as the SC 300 coupe and an all-independently sprung rear-drive chassis based on the LS 400. The engine featured Toyota's Acoustic Control Induction System, which varied the effective length of the intake manifold according to the engine speed and throttle opening and results in improved torque output throughout the engine's speed range.
An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic was the only available transmission. Speed-sensitive power steering and ABS with 4-wheel discs, power seats, windows, locks, a power tilt/telescope steering wheel, and a 225-watt stereo were also standard.
Retail prices
As of December 27, 1993:
- $41,100 (1994 Lexus GS 300)
As of September 2, 1994:
- $42,700 (1995 Lexus GS 300)
As of February 24, 1995:
- $43,600 (1995 Lexus GS 300)
As of mid-1995:
- $44,300 (1995 Lexus GS 300)
Gallery
