`Motor Trend's' Import Car of the Year Will Top Enthusiasts' Holiday Wish Lists
17 December 1997
`Motor Trend's' Import Car of the Year Will Top Enthusiasts' Holiday Wish Lists
TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 17 -- Holiday "wish lists" for many
car enthusiasts gain another item today, as the editors of "Motor Trend"
Magazine announced their selection of the Lexus GS high performance sedan as
1998 Import Car of the Year. The honor was bestowed on both the six-cylinder
GS 300 and V8-powered GS 400 models as co-winners of the prestigious award
which is in its 23rd year.
The GS was a standout among a strong field of import contenders including
new models from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi, and Porsche. "Motor Trend's"
editors called the GS the "Lexus with an attitude," and concluded "the new GS
400 emerges as the best high-end performance sedan value in the world."
"The new GS was designed to be both wicked and refined at the same time,"
said Lexus Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Press. "It's the
driving enthusiast's Lexus and we're delighted to see that `Motor Trend's'
panel of automotive experts share our enthusiasm for this great new machine.
This award is the perfect holiday gift for all of us at Lexus, our dealers,
customers and future GS owners."
In accepting this latest accolade, Press noted that this is the second
time in the luxury make's eight-year history a Lexus has captured "Motor
Trend's" highest honor. "In 1991, the SC 400 created a sensation with its
combination of style, performance, comfort and technology," he said. "In many
ways, the new GS carries forth the spirit of that first Lexus Import Car of
the Year winner, yet in a four-door sport sedan."
In accepting this latest accolade, Press noted that this is the second
time in the luxury make's eight-year history a Lexus has captured "Motor
Trend's" highest honor. "In 1991, the SC 400 created a sensation with its
combination of style, performance, comfort and technology," he said. "In many
ways, the new GS carries forth the spirit of that first Lexus Import Car of
the Year winner, yet in a four-door sport sedan."
The GS 400 is powered by a 300 horsepower 32-valve V8 with continuously
variable valve timing (VVT-i) and accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 5.7
seconds. The companion GS 300 powerplant produces 225 horsepower from its
3.0-liter 24-valve six. Both deliver power through a new five-speed automatic
transmission. The GS 400 automatic transmission features the Lexus E-shift
system, which provides manual control of shifting by means of Formula-One
style upshift and downshift buttons on the steering wheel spokes.
A comprehensive list of standard and optional features are available on
the GS 300 and GS 400, including standard vehicle skid control system,
pollution-sensing climate control, front-seat side-impact airbags, pre-
tensioning and force-limiting front seat belts, integrated in-dash satellite
navigation with maps for all 48 contiguous states and high-intensity discharge
headlights with continuous self-leveling.
The performance-driven GS 400 and GS 300 are positioned between the entry-
luxury ES 300 and prestige-luxury LS 400 in the Lexus sedan lineup. In its
first month of availability, the new GS surpassed the BMW 5-series in sales,
and is poised to take the lead in the mid-luxury sedan segment. The GS 400
and GS 300 are available at 174 Lexus dealerships, who have created a
tradition of extraordinary service and satisfaction.
SOURCE Lexus
