1993-2005
Lexus GS300
The GS300 was an executive vehicle offered by Lexus, Toyota's high-end division. In Japan, the Toyota Aristo had been replaced by the same vehicle in 1991. It was introduced as the Lexus GS for non-Japanese markets in February 1993. For the Japanese market, it kept retaining the Toyota Aristo moniker until January 2005.
The GS is a mid-luxury performance sedan that competes in the market between the small executive IS and large/flagship LS. Up until 2011, it shared a chassis with one of Toyota's most enduring nameplates, the Toyota Crown premium sedans.
Since its introduction in 1993, the GS has gone through four iterations, each of which used six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive and hybrid versions made their debuts in 2005, and V8 engines were also available across all generations. Earlier, all-wheel drive variants of the S140 series Aristo for the Japanese market were made available. The Toyota Aristo, which is Greek for "the best," was available in Japan for the first two generations from 1991 until the Lexus brand made its domestic début in 2005.