Breaking Demographics

Building the GS400 Lexus didn't think you'd want.

- Aaron Bonk

The second-generation Lexus GS’ target demographic carried briefcases, they parted their hair, and they did things like go to the opera. They also had no idea what in the world a 2JZ-GTE was. Guys like Jason Pham, who understand enough about Toyota’s legendary inline-six to know that it belongs underneath the hood of the GS, are why target demographics don’t include everyone. He also doesn’t carry a briefcase.

Pham isn’t the only one who thinks the faux wood and leather-appointed luxury sedan ought to have been matched with the venerable six. As it turns out, Toyota did, too, who sold the car that way overseas by way of the Aristo, a factory turbocharged and highly capable luxury sedan that accelerated more like a Supra and less like something on its way to a board meeting. By the time Lexus had its way with the rebranded sedan, though, the 2JZ had been plucked in favor of a more North American friendly 90-degree V8. On paper, the 300hp, 4.0L engine doesn’t sound all that bad. But real life doesn’t happen on paper.

For Pham, real life happens at Gaithersburg, Maryland’s Atlantic Motor sports, a company known for turning out big-power Nissans and Mitsubishis, and the place where Pham punches the time clock. He recalls his first build, a naturally aspirated Civic hatchback, and how his day job influenced his next move. “It was fun, but I wanted something that had the potential [for] big horsepower,” he says. “Seeing R35s and Evos at the shop making 800-1,000 hp all the time, I wanted something that would have a nice number, too.”