Performance Review: Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus GS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Lexus GS has a 4293cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The GS shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the GS's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1695 kgs (3736 lbs) this makes the Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus GS shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4293cc 32V V8 engine produces 283 bhp (211 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 417 lb-ft (565.3 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus GS you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (191.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus GS.

The Lexus GS has a Power to weight ratio of 166.9 bhp per ton and 246.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 GS competing with the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (191.9 bhp per ton) or the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (191.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus GS generating around 246.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Lotus Exige 380 3.5 V6 Roadster Auto (271.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 GTS F82 (270.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GS and the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d

When talking about the performance of the Lexus GS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.99 secs @ 91.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (14.92 secs), the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (14.92 secs), and the 2013 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Diesel Turbo (14.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 GS equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2005 GS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison