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The all-new 2016 Lexus GS-F is a high-performance variant of the GS sedan line, featuring sport suspension for spirited driving fun.The all-new 2016 Lexus GS-F is a high-performance variant of the GS sedan line, featuring sport suspension for spirited driving fun. Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

For model year 2016 Lexus has introduced the new GS-F performance sedan, the latest addition to the “F” brand lineup.Based on the GS, this striking vehicle offers a dynamic ride, aggressive-yet-elegant exterior and comfort for five passengers in a well-appointed cabin.

Apparently, the GS-F offers the best of everything in a vehicle – performance, ride, comfort, style and beauty.

Standard performance features include a 467-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8; an eight-speed sport direct-shift automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted “F” spec paddle shifters; torque-vectoring differential; Brembo ventilated disc brakes with high-friction pads; and 19-inch split-10-spoke (stacked five-on-five) forged-alloy wheels with staggered tires (255 on the front, 275 on the rear).

The GS-F is available in eight striking exterior colors, including Matador Red Mica, Molten Pearl (orange), and Caviar (charcoal), with three available interior combinations – Black, Circuit Red, and Stratus Gray, all with carbon fiber trim – depending on exterior color choice.

My GS-F, base price $84,440, was gorgeous in the Caviar color with Stratus Gray leather “F” spec Sport seating surfaces, middle door panels, and center console trim.

Black Alcantara leather trimmed the doors, armrests and upper instrument panel. The uniquely shaped leather-wrapped “F” steering wheel, shifter knob and upper instrument panel had Ultrasonic Blue stitching; the gray seating, door panels and console trim had black stitching; and the black areas had gray stitching.

The low-set sport seats are designed to disperse body pressure, increase support and keep passengers in place through spirited turns. The seats combine form and function with the unique stitching pattern on the seat and seatback, inspired by athletic sportswear to provide greater muscular support and grip.

A bold front fascia with race-inspired functional front air intakes and L-shaped triple-beam LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and side turn signals, large brake calipers, quad exhaust with silver tips, and a unique carbon-fiber rear spoiler gave a hint of the power and performance possibilities, while the luxurious cabin offered high-tech amenities and advanced safety technologies.

The Lexus GS-F is more than a pretty face, with lots of safety equipment and technology, such as 10 standard air bags, including front knee bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, full-length side curtain bags; crumple zones in the front and rear; Smart Stop Technology; Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management with Vehicle Stability Control; and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Sensors for the front passenger seat detect whether the seat is occupied by an adult or a child, or is empty, then prevents the air bags on that side from deploying accordingly. The passenger air bags have two chambers to create an indention in the center to provide greater protection in a severe frontal collision.

Smart Stop Technology automatically reduces engine power if both the accelerator and brake are pressed under certain conditions, enabling the vehicle to come to a safe stop. VDIM predicts and helps prevent a skid using a combination of sophisticated braking, torque and steering technologies.

Lexus Safety System Plus includes the automatic high beams, a Pre-collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Radar Cruise Control. PCS detects objects (speeds above 6 mph) and pedestrians (speeds between 6 and 50 mph), provides brake assist, warns the driver with audio and visual alerts, and automatically brakes if the driver doesn’t take action.

Land departure/steering assist alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel, along with visual and audio alerts, if the vehicle strays from its lane without giving a signal. The system then gently nudges the vehicle back into its lane using the power steering system. Radar cruise adjusts the vehicle’s speed according to the speed of the preceding vehicle to maintain a safe distance between the two.

Lexus Enform Safety Connect includes Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. Whatever the need while on the road – health emergency, minor accident, stolen vehicle, flat tire – assistance can be sent directly to you. Safety Connect uses embedded cellular and GPS technology to pinpoint your location.

Service Connect will send a Vehicle Health Report (fuel level, mileage, smart key battery status, engine oil level, and more) to your desktop, tablet, or phone or online on a mobile app. An appointment may be made if service is needed. Maintenance Alerts lets you and your dealer know when it is time for routine maintenance.

Enform Remote allows the driver to lock and unlock doors, start the engine, find the vehicle in a parking lot using the map on their smartphone, and monitor guest drivers (read: teens) with instant alerts when the vehicle is started, and tells if it exceeds preset speed limits or curfew, miles driven, engine run time, total time or distance from a set location.

A Mark Levinson Audio System ($1,380) included 17 speakers, and cranked out 835 watts with 7.1 channel architecture, digital amplifier and GreenEdge speaker technology.

Enform App Suite uses a compatible smartphone via voice command to access mobile apps such as Pandora, Facebook Places, Yelp, and apps for fuel, sports, and stock information through the vehicle’s display.

The GS-F is fun to drive, with plenty of power when needed, comfortable body-hugging seats, and eye-catching good looks.

Four Drive Modes (Normal, Eco, Sport S and Sport S-plus) allow the driver to choose a mode to match the situation or mood.

With $950 destination charges and $1,380 for the audio system added to the base price of $84,440, the total delivered price was $86,770.

*Pricing in article may not be accurate. Please see Canadian Dealer for pricing.

Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/cars/emma-jayne-williams/article80132942.html#storylink=cpy