Editing Lexus GS (section)

=={{anchor|S140}} First generation (S140; 1991)==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = Lexus GS
| aka          = Toyota Aristo (Japan)
| model_code   = S140
| image        = T1s Lexus GS.jpg
| caption      = Lexus GS 300
| production   = {{ubl
                 | October 1991<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Tahara Plant" />{{snd}}July 1997 (Toyota Aristo)
                 | February 1993<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Tahara Plant" />{{snd}}July 1997 (Lexus GS)
                 }}
| assembly = {{ubl
                 | Japan: [[Tahara, Aichi]] ([[Tahara plant]])
                 }}
| designer     = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Italdesign]]<ref name="italdesign" /> (1988)
| layout       = {{ubl
                 | [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
                 | [[Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, all-wheel-drive]]
                 }}
| platform     =
| related      = [[Toyota Crown Majesta (S140)]]
| engine       = {{ubl
                 | 3.0&nbsp;L ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ-GE|2JZ-GE]]'' [[straight-six engine|I6]]
                 | 3.0&nbsp;L ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ-GTE|2JZ-GTE]]'' I6 ([[turbocharger|turbo]])
                 | 4.0&nbsp;L ''[[Toyota UZ engine#1UZ-FE|1UZ-FE]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]
                 }}
| transmission = {{ubl
                 | 4-speed [[Toyota A transmission#A340E .2830-40LE.29|A340E]] (1991&ndash;97 Aristo 2JZ-GTE)&nbsp;/ [[Toyota A transmission#A341E .2830-41LE.29|A341E]] (1993&ndash;95 GS 300) [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
                 | 5-speed [[Toyota A transmission#A350E|A350E]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]] (1996&ndash;97)
                 }}
| wheelbase    = {{cvt|2779|mm|1}}
| length       = {{cvt|4950|mm|1}}
| width        = {{cvt|1796|mm|1}}
| height       = {{cvt|1400|-|1420|mm|1}}
}}

[[Italdesign Giugiaro]] began the first design drawings of the GS 300 in 1988.<ref name=italdesign/> The design firm aimed to produce a deluxe sedan which did without the numerous exterior features and detailing found on existing Japanese premium sedans, in favor of a more simplified, European-style appearance.<ref name=italdesign>{{cite web |url=http://www.italdesign.it/project/lexus-gs-300-toyota-aristo |title=GS 300 (Aristo): Italdesign Giugiaro |work=italdesign.it |year=2012 |access-date=24 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708045056/http://www.italdesign.it/project/lexus-gs-300-toyota-aristo |archive-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> The vehicle's exterior styling blended elements of the then-current [[Lexus LS]] flagship and [[Lexus SC|SC]] performance coupe in a rounded, aerodynamic wedge-like shape which featured a high rear decklid and longer and wider proportions than rival vehicles.<ref name=grandsedan/> The exterior produced a {{Cd|long=yes|link=car|0.31}}. Color schemes included single-tone bumper and body finishes,<ref name=grandsedan/> along with dual-tone schemes. Similarities with an Italdesign concept car which debuted in 1990, the [[Jaguar Kensington]], led some observers to suggest that the GS 300 was derived from its design, though Italdesign said the GS 300 was developed earlier.<ref name=italdesign/> Equipped with an independent, [[double-wishbone suspension]] setup at both front and rear ends, Italdesign's sedan design first appeared in Toyota Aristo form in Japan in October 1991.

Manufactured at Toyota's [[Tahara, Aichi|Tahara]] assembly plant in Japan, production of the Aristo involved more automation than previous vehicles built at the Tahara factory; robots performed 4,200 [[welding|welds]] on each body, while only eight spot welds were performed by hand.<ref name=relentless>Dawson, Chester. ''Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit'', pp. 146-47, 164-65. 2004: Jon Wiley & Sons, NJ.</ref>

Toyota of Japan offered two [[straight-six engine]] options for the Japanese market Aristo—the 3.0Q and 3.0V. The 3.0Q (JZS147) featured the ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ-GE|2JZ-GE]]'' engine which produced {{convert|169|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}, while the Aristo 3.0V (JZS147) was equipped with a 24-valve [[twin-turbo]] ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ-GTE|2JZ-GTE]]'' engine which produced {{convert|205|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}. The Aristo was available at ''[[Toyota Auto Store]]'' as the top-level luxury sedan, positioned above the [[Toyota Chaser (X80)|Chaser]] and ''Toyota Vista Store'' above the [[Toyota Cresta (X80)|Cresta]]. In 1992, a third model, the [[V8 engine|V8]]-powered 4.0Zi-Four (UZS143), joined the Aristo lineup. It came installed with [[All-Trac|iFour]] all-wheel drive and a {{convert|186|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} ''[[Toyota UZ engine#1UZ-FE|1UZ-FE]]'' engine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toyota Aristo |url=https://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60000160/index.html |website=75 years of Toyota History |publisher=Toyota Motor Corporation |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

Production of the export Lexus GS 300 (JZS147) began on 22 February 1993.<ref name="relentless" /> For Lexus, The GS was placed above the front-wheel drive [[Lexus ES|ES]] luxury sedan with its superior drivetrain setup, power and available amenities. Lexus only offered the GS with the 3.0-liter ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ-GE|2JZ-GE]]'' straight-six, producing {{convert|169|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|210|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} of torque.

For the interior, the GS 300 featured walnut wood trim on the [[center console (automobile)|center console]], leather seating, an automatic tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and the option of a [[Nakamichi]] premium stereo system. Driver and front passenger airbags were standard.<ref name=grandsedan/> A moonroof, remote 12-CD auto changer, and [[traction control]] (TRAC &ndash; left hand drive vehicles only) were options.

The GS was intended to take the price position of the original LS 400 flagship, which had moved upmarket since its 1989 launch.<ref name=grandsedan/><ref name="relentless" /> By the time of the GS 300's debut, the {{USD|35,000|year=1993}} initial base price of the LS in the United States had climbed to {{USD|47,000|year=1993}},<ref name=grandsedan/> while the GS 300 at debut carried base price of {{USD|38,000|year=1993}}. However, sales of the GS 300 were modest, with 1993 seeing the greatest sales at 19,164 sold that year. Sales dropped in later years as the [[Japanese yen]] rose in value against the dollar and made the vehicle more expensive than its rivals.<ref name="relentless" /> Additionally, more powerful V8 sport sedans provided strong competition. By 1997, the price of the GS 300 had risen to {{USD|46,000|1997}}. Production of the first generation GS sedan ended in July 1997.

{{Multiple image | align = left | direction = horizontal | total_width = 660
| image1 = 1st generation Toyota Aristo.jpg
| caption1 = Toyota Aristo 3.0 Q (JZS147 Japan)
| image2 = Lexus GS 300 JZS147 interior.jpg
| caption2 = Lexus GS 300 interior (JZS147)
| image3 = Side profile of Lexus GS 300.jpg
| caption3 = 1993&ndash;1997 GS 300 (JZS147; Europe)
}}

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