2013 Lexus GS 350

The Lexus GS is a series of mid-size luxury sports sedans / executive cars sold by Lexus since 1993. Designed to fill the gap between the ES and LS, and to provide Lexus with a performance sedan to compete in the mid-luxury class, three generations of the GS have been produced to date. The first incarnation of the GS 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, later known as the GS 450h performance hybrid. The third generation GS is also the first model to feature Lexus' own L-finesse styling upon its introduction.

In Japan, the equivalent Toyota Aristo (トヨタ・アリスト) was sold from its 1991 debut until the introduction of the Lexus marque and the third generation GS in 2005. Though largely identical in exterior and interior design, the first two generations of the GS and the Aristo differed in their engine and transmission combinations as well as equipment packages. The Aristo nameplate ("Aristo" is Greek for "the best") was discontinued following the debut of the Lexus marque and the third generation GS in Japan.

The Lexus GS was used in Motorola Cup North American Street Stock Championship touring car series competition in 1998, beginning with two GS 400 race vehicles driven by Team Lexus in its inaugural season. For 1999, Team Lexus achieved its first victory with the GS 400 in its sixth race at Road Atlanta.[18] The GS 400 was raced until 2001, when Team Lexus switched to the IS 300. In the mid 2000s, the GS 400 was entered in the V8Star Series touring car racing season, with Ronny Melkus competing in the V8 GS in 2003.

In 2006, Sigma Advanced Racing Development and Lexus entered a GS 450h performance hybrid sedan in the 24 Hours of Tokachi race in Hokkaido, Japan, the first time that a hybrid vehicle was introduced.[21] In 2007, Lexus Canada also entered the GS 450h in the Targa Newfoundland event.[22] In 2009, the GS 450h was used as a safety car at the Muscle Car Masters event held at Eastern Creek Raceway, Eastern Creek, New South Wales, Australia.

In 2008, Manabu "Max" Orido used a second generation JZS161 Aristo in Formula D competition. Orido has several second generation models with different equipment used for drifting events, some with prototype suspension, and fitted with parts from the export Lexus GS 300.

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