2011 Lexus GS 350 Review and Performance Comparison

Lexus GS Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2011 Lexus GS 350 is a powered by a Petrol V 6. This variant of the Lexus GS 350 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.

This particular Lexus GS has a 3456cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Lexus Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 6's include the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The GS shares its Petrol V 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2024 Maserati GT2 Stradale.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the GS's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1721 kgs (3794 lbs) places the Lexus GS 350 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the excellent 2024 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Turbo Convertible, give or take 50kg.

The Lexus GS shares the same bhp with the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (328 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3456cc 24 valve, V 6 engine produces around 306 bhp (228 kW) @ 6400 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (328 bhp) and also the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (309 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 6 throws out 277 lb-ft (375.5 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (295 lb-ft) or the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2011 Lexus GS in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2017 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG Coupe (202.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus GS.

The Lexus GS has a power to weight ratio of 177.8 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2011 GS 350 means you're competing with the 2017 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG Coupe (202.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (202.8 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Lexus GS 350 generates around 160.9 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT 3.5L V12 (185.8 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2004 Jaguar S Type 2.7d V6 Sport (185.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Lexus GS 350 can accelerate 0–60mph in 5.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 5.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Lexus GS 350 include the 2023 BYD Seal Design (5.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs).

The V 6 engine of the Lexus GS 350 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) and the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Lexus GS 350 and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2011 Lexus GS can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.61 secs with a trap speed around 93.2 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (14.62 seconds @ 93.2 mph) and a close race between the Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (14.62 seconds @ 93.1 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2011 version of the Lexus GS 350 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 GS equals the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2011 Lexus GS 350 then there's the slightly slower the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (141 mph) or how about the impressive Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2011 GS Rivals List.
• 2011 GS: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Lexus
• Compare the 2011 Lexus GS