More 2016 Lexus GS F Details and Photos

Lexus returns to the high-performance luxury sedan segment with the debut of the GS F, and it’s given its latest performance model some significant styling changes along with more power under the hood to distinguish it from the standard GS.

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I really like the car’s new headlight design. It’s something you rarely see changed when a car makes the transition from the mainstream to a niche performance model, but the thin lights look slick and work well with the F line’s signature hourglass grille. That grille somehow doesn’t look as massive here as it does on Lexus’ RC F coupe.

The rear styling changes, though, are a little perplexing. The GS F gets unique clear-lens taillights. That design was trendy about a decade ago, but not so much today. The quad exhaust tips also look a little puny compared to the ones on the RC F.

The cabin layout will be familiar to GS drivers, but the GS F gets a unique gauge cluster and firm, highly bolstered front sport seats. The gauge cluster features a small analog speedometer on the right side and a large information screen and digital tachometer on the left that looks like an analog one. Backseat comfort and space are good for taller adults.

Lift the hood and you’ll see some very cool painted intake runners on the 467-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Lexus didn’t provide acceleration times, but the GS F should be a little slower to 60 mph than the lighter RC F, which has the same engine and does the sprint in 4.4 seconds, according to the automaker.

Lexus doesn’t expect the GS F to sell in large numbers — only 1,600 a year — but it’s another step in building the brand’s performance-car reputation. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact it has on the sport sedan class, where the competition offers 500- and 600-hp-plus models.

Cars.com photos by Evan Sears