From 1993-97, the Lexus GS 300 failed to attract legions of buyers. Redesigned for 1998, the midrange rear-drive sedans from Toyota's luxury division came in two flavors: GS 300 with a 6-cylinder engine, and a new GS 400 with a V8 borrowed from the bigger LS 400. Both engines grew more potent for 1998, thanks to Variable Valve Timing/Intelligence (VVT-I). Each model used a 5-speed automatic transmission, but the GS 400 added "E-shift," a quartet of steering-wheel buttons that allowed sequential manual gear selection. Upshifts were made using either of two buttons on the steering wheel's face, while downshifts were accomplished by comparable buttons on the backside.Though the GS wheelbase shrunk half an inch, the new sedans measured 6 inches shorter overall. Even so, Lexus claimed increased passenger and cargo room.Seat-mounted front side airbags were standard. So was a Vehicle Stability Control anti-skid system, integrated with the standard antilock braking and traction control. Like the flagship LS 400, both GS models offered an optional in-dash navigation system with touch-screen display. Rivals included the Acura RL, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.