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Lexus GS
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===1997–2000=== In 1993, after sales commenced for the first generation S140 series, development began on the successor under the internally known codenamed ''S160''. The design process began under chief engineer Yasushi Nakagawa in May 1994 and by November 1995 after 18 months of design work, the final production design by Akihiro Nagaya was approved by the executive board. In January 1997, Lexus debuted the "High Performance Sedan" (HPS) concept at the [[North American International Auto Show|Detroit Auto Show]], previewing the design direction for the redesigned GS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120118/DETROIT/120119847 |title=A Look Back: The 1997 Detroit auto show |work=[[AutoWeek]] |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> In August 1997, the second generation Toyota Aristo was launched in Japan, codenamed JZS160 (S300 version) for models with ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ|2JZ-GE]]'' engines and JZS161 (V300 version) for those with ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ|2JZ-GTE]]'' twin-turbocharged engines, remaining exclusive to the former ''Auto Store'' network that was combined with ''Vista Store'' and renamed ''[[Toyota Netz Store]]'' Japanese dealerships. [[VVT-i]] was now standard, resulting in an increase of torque. The twin-turbocharged version was available with electronic [[four-wheel steering]], VSC [[electronic stability control]] and an [[automatic transmission]] with a tiptronic manual sequential mode controlled by buttons on the steering wheel. The second generation sedans used a new front-engine, rear-wheel drive midsize platform, also featured in the Japanese-market [[Toyota Crown]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goo-net.com/car_info/usedcar_topics/127/01.html |title=Aristo history γγ¨γΏ γ’γͺγΉγ δΈε€θ»η·εζ ε ± |publisher=Goo-net.com |access-date=28 October 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The new model's styling was produced in-house, and featured quadruple headlights (the interior two of which were elliptical) in a fashion similar to the Lexus SC coupe. It had a {{Cd|link=car|long=yes|0.30}}. Inside, [[Electroluminescence|electroluminescent]] ''[[Optitron]]'' gauges were offered for the first time, along with an upgraded stereo system for V300 versions. For export markets, the second generation GS began production in the JZS161 body style on 4 August 1997 and was officially launched in October 1997. Lexus offered the GS 300 once again and featured a slightly revised version of the previous generation's 3.0-liter straight-six now producing {{convert|168|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|305|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} of torque. Answering customer requests for more power, the American market GS 400 (UZS160) was equipped with the 4.0-liter ''[[Toyota UZ engine#1UZ|1UZ-FE]]'' V8 that produced {{convert|224|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|310|ftlb|Nm|order=flip}} of torque. Both models featured a five-speed automatic transmission with the GS 400 receiving steering wheel shift buttons. As with the S140 series, no turbocharged variants were offered outside Japan. The 5.7 second {{cvt|0|-|60|mph}} time of the GS 400 prompted Lexus marketing to claim that the GS was the world's fastest production sedan at its introduction in 1997.<ref name="relentless" /><ref name="motortrend">{{cite web|url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1998-lexus-gs-400/|title=1998 Lexus GS 400 - First Test|date=2 November 1997 |access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref> Lexus promoted the arrival of the second generation GS sedan with the tagline, "Something Wicked This Way Comes".<ref name="Krebs"/> Compared to its predecessor, the second generation GS sedan was a much bigger success, with sales reaching 30,622 vehicles in its first year, increasing in the second, and stabilizing at 28,079 vehicles by 2000.<ref name="relentless" /> Lexus would keep the second generation vehicle in its lineup for eight years, a longer duration than the prior generation. The U.S. base price for the GS 300 and GS 430 averaged approximately {{USD|38,000}} and {{USD|47,000}} respectively. The GS was ''[[Motor Trend]]''{{'}}s [[Car of the Year|Import Car of the Year]] for 1998. It also made ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine's [[Car and Driver Ten Best|Ten Best list]] for 1998 through 2000. In IIHS frontal crash testing the 1999 and newer GS was given a "Good" overall score.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=118 |title=IIHS-HLDI: Lexus Gs |publisher=IIHS |date=10 April 2006 |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-date=1 August 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801185320/http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=118 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = horizontal | total_width = 660 | image1 = Lexus GS 300 rear 20071026.jpg | caption1 = Pre-facelift Lexus GS 300 (Europe) | image2 = Lexus GS 300 SportDesign interior 01.jpg | caption2 = 2003–2004 GS 300 interior (JZS160) | image3 = 1999 Toyota Aristo V300 Vertex Edition 3.0 Front.jpg | caption3 = Toyota Aristo (Japan) }} {{clear left}}
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