Judge. New GS

The Spindle Grille

Oh wait, hang on. You thought I haven't recognize this one, don't you? Yes, I know, this is the new corporate look for Lexus called the Spindle Grille and you wanna guess what's that car we're driving? Nope, you're wrong because, ladies and gentlemen, part of the now-on-sale Forza 4 August Playseat Car Pack, it's the all new 2013 Lexus GS.

Grand Touring Sedan in F-Sport clothing

No, I wasn't kidding though, this is the real thing. This is the one with the Spindle Grille on it. This really is the 4th generation GS. Although it may said F-Sport, this isn't a firebreathing sports saloon made to wet the driver's pants. This is just a normal executive saloon car made for Asians in business suits who want to take a day out at some golf course in downtown Tokyo.

I didn't like the old Lexus GS, starting from the S140 (1991-1996), S160 (1997-2004), and the S190 (2005-2011). Anyway, the first two I've mentioned. Well, you know, the S140 and the S160, which are the Toyota Aristo in Japan. By the looks of it, these maybe look dull, boring, and a bit more of an electronic typewriter that you brought it at the office. The S140 is made for the senior-aged while the S160 is more of a E-Class copycat because of the headlamps. Also, I am not a big fan of the S190 Lexus GS because....what do you think? Reluctantly dull perhaps? Given the choice then I have picked a car that once said is better looking than the S190 Lexus GS and it was made by an American car maker and in fact, I just did.

The car who waited....

This, however, is the all new GRL10 Lexus GS and unlike the previous three generations, this looks stunning. The Spindle Grille really made it more aggressive and sharper, reminds me of the LF-Gh concept car I saw in New York last year. This car is about as cool as your bowtie, your fez, your Stetson, or your glasses. It is really that cool but it's difficult to explain why.

The interior though, it looks more like the BMW 5-Series but with all that 60:40 split-screen monitor, the Remote Touch, and all of those luxury peripherals, it seems that it's now even more advanced than the old GS's interiors of yesteryears. In case you have a gal trying to get in, she might be shocked to see one and she will say..."I'm in my nightie..." He he....he he he....

The one I'm driving on Forza Motorsport 4, however, was the GS350 F-Sport with the optional 4WD powertrain. Really? 4WD powertrain? How's that possible? Is it a mistake? Afraid not. This is not the erratum like we faced on the RUF CTR2 last month. This is just an optional feature equipped for some unknown purposes. It's a GS350 F-Sport with a 4WD, which in Japan, will cost about 7 million Yen. With the 4WD, it's all about the all-round grip and nothing usual. Sure, a Lexus GS with a 4WD layout is made to tackle through the wet but by the time you'll launch this, the 4WD system will hinder its start. Sure, it maybe set to 4WD but no matter because I can make it rear-wheel drive because if the New GS's a rear-wheel drive, it has to be that kind because by noticing the RWD layout on the New GS, it weighs less than the GS350 F-Sport 4WD and perfect weight distribution so handling feels like your favorite Aristo of yesteryears.

A showdown that gets interesting....

Either way, what I have here under the bonnet is a 3.5L V6 DOHC 2GR-FSE engine that generates about 318PS of power and 380Nm of torque. For FR variants, it will consume about 9.9km/L while 4WD variants get about 9.4km/L, all based on Japan's JC08 mode test cycle. It's mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Yep, paddle shifters on the Lexus. For the previous three generations, when I see the speedo reading up about 180kph, that's how you got personal because all Japanese cars, but not most of it, have speedometers read about 180kph. Don't forget that, folks. You can't max out a Japanese car that has a speedometer read up to 180kph (110mph). If you ever think that if you want to convert a speedometer from 180kph to something that is above the 180kph limit though, you're a crook and that's illegal to swap speedometers. Again, if you have a JDM car, it is illegal to upgrade the speedometer from 180kph (110mph) upwards because....like what Matilda said "It's illegal" and "you're a crook".

Happily however, on the new Lexus GS, the speedometer reads up to 260kph instead of the Japan-normal 180kph so, no harm done, as long as you're not exceeding the speedo limit. Ugh, why do illegal street racers who drive JDM cars want to  upgrade the speedometer from 180kph (110mph) upwards? That's against the law, right?

Anyway, forget about and still, I would now go for the new Lexus GS (GRL10) rather than any of the old Toyota Aristo models whose speedos read up to 180kph. This car made me want to play Forza 4 all over again rather than the rival video game. I would gladly want to have one rather driving something that lead me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly. It is that good and that is interesting. 

The Beast below Dunsfold