The Lexus V8 Sedan With A 7,300-RPM Redline That Never Got The M5’s Respect
There was a time when luxury sports sedans needed more than big horsepower figures to impress enthusiasts. Responsive engines, balanced handling, and engaging driving experiences mattered just as much. By the mid-2010s, however, the segment had become a horsepower arms race. Turbochargers pushed outputs to new heights, while acceleration figures dominated the conversation. One Japanese automaker refused to follow the crowd, creating a V8-powered sedan that struggled for attention when new but now looks like something enthusiasts should have appreciated more.
When The BMW M5 Set The Rules, Horsepower Became Everything
By 2016, the BMW M5 had helped turn performance sedans into four-door supercars. The F10 M5 packed a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 560 horsepower, or 575 horsepower with the Competition Package. Mercedes-AMG’s E63 S delivered 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, while Audi’s RS7 offered up to 605 horsepower in Performance trim. These machines combined luxury-car comfort with acceleration that could embarrass dedicated sports cars.
Naturally, expectations changed. Reaching 60 mph in around four seconds was no longer remarkable, and some German rivals could comfortably beat that figure. Turbocharging delivered effortless acceleration, while ever-increasing horsepower figures dominated marketing campaigns. Unfortunately, that left little room for alternatives offering a different kind of excitement. A sedan with less than 500 horsepower suddenly seemed underpowered, even though that much muscle would have sounded outrageous a decade earlier.
A High-Revving V8 Was Fighting A Battle It Could Barely Win
Against this backdrop, an unusual Japanese contender arrived with an engine that seemed to belong to another era. Rather than fitting turbochargers, its engineers chose a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 producing 467 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 389 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Its 7,300-rpm redline revealed an engine designed to reward drivers who enjoyed exploring the upper end of the tachometer.
The problem was that enthusiasm couldn’t erase the horsepower deficit. Depending on the rival and version, the Japanese V8 trailed its turbocharged opponents by roughly 100 to 140 horsepower. Its eight-speed torque-converter automatic also lacked the immediate, mechanical feel of the M5’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Buyers comparing acceleration figures had plenty of reasons to favor Germany.
The Lexus GS F Had The V8 Character Its German Rivals Were Leaving Behind
That unusual contender was the 2016–2020 Lexus GS F, the Japanese automaker’s answer to the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63. Its centerpiece was the Yamaha-assisted 2UR-GSE naturally aspirated V8, an engine with roots in the earlier IS F. Instead of chasing horsepower records, Lexus focused on throttle response and high-rpm performance. The engine featured both direct and port fuel injection, along with variable valve timing that allowed it to operate using the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle under lighter loads. Under hard acceleration, it switched to the conventional Otto cycle for maximum power.
The GS F wasn’t slow, either. Official data showed a 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph and a 12.9-second quarter-mile at 113 mph, while Lexus also quoted an electronically limited top speed of 168 mph. Its 467 horsepower went exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. However, its character mattered more than the numbers. While turbocharged German rivals delivered enormous torque low in the rev range, the Lexus built excitement as engine speed increased. An M5 could surge forward without needing a downshift, while the GS F encouraged drivers to select a lower gear and chase its 7,300-rpm redline.
The brand also knew that making a sedan weighing more than 4,000 pounds feel agile required clever engineering. Its standard Torque Vectoring Differential distributed power between the rear wheels to improve cornering behavior. Drivers could choose Standard for balanced responses, Slalom for sharper turning, or Track for greater stability. The GS F also received reinforced body components, tuned suspension, and large Brembo brakes. Interestingly, Lexus initially skipped adjustable dampers, relying on a carefully tuned fixed setup. Period testing measured 0.93 g of cornering grip from its 4,128-pound test car, matching the M5’s figure.
The Lexus GS F’s Biggest Weaknesses Have Become Its Greatest Strengths
Time has made the GS F’s original disadvantages more appealing. Its naturally aspirated V8, rear-wheel-drive layout, and focus on driver involvement recall qualities that made the E39 BMW M5 an enthusiast favorite. That earlier BMW used a naturally aspirated 4.9-liter V8 producing 394 horsepower in U.S. specification, paired with a six-speed manual. The Lexus couldn’t recreate that manual-shifting experience, but both rewarded drivers who appreciated linear throttle response and engines that loved to rev. Ironically, the GS F couldn’t match the F10 M5’s acceleration, yet it preserved some of the characteristics that made earlier M5s so desirable.
Long-term dependability strengthens its appeal. The 2UR-GSE has earned a reputation for durability, while its naturally aspirated design avoids the turbochargers and associated hardware found in more complex rivals. That doesn’t make it maintenance-free—owners have reported coolant leaks around the engine’s valley plate, while aging water pumps and expensive performance brakes deserve attention. Still, owning a high-revving V8 without worrying about two turbochargers has obvious advantages. The GS F also retained Lexus’s trademark refinement, making it a comfortable daily driver.
The V8 Lexus That Never Beat The M5 Might Have The Last Laugh
Lexus initially hoped to sell around 2,000 examples annually in the United States, but the broader GS lineup struggled as buyers increasingly favored SUVs. By 2019, the entire GS range accounted for just 4% of Lexus passenger-car sales, totaling 3,378 vehicles, and held less than 1% of the midsize luxury sedan market. Those figures included every GS variant, but they showed how weak demand had become. Lexus discontinued the lineup after the 2020 model year.
Today, the GS F looks like a potential future classic. Its understated styling helped it fly under the radar, with quad exhaust outlets, an aggressive grille, and a subtle rear spoiler hinting at its performance. Beneath that discreet exterior sat a V8 that could scream to 7,300 rpm, a rear-wheel-drive chassis with clever torque management, and enough comfort for long journeys.
Source: Lexus,
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