In its latest effort to gain traction in the mid-size luxury bracket, Lexus will field three V6 versions of its new-generation GS model when it launches in Australia in the first half of this year.
Top of the range will be a hybrid 3.5-litre model, dubbed GS 450h, that will come in above conventional 3.5-litre GS 350 and 2.5-litre GS 250 V6s, delivering more performance and improved fuel economy over the current 3.0-litre hybrid.
New to GS is the smaller-capacity 2.5-litre V6, which develops 154kW and drives through a six-speed sequential transmission. It is claimed to reach 100km/h from a standstill in 8.6 seconds. Although Lexus has not yet confirmed a fuel consumption figure, the GS 250 is expected to come in comfortably below the current, larger-capacity 3.0-litre GS 300, which is quoted at 9.8L/100km.
The GS 250’s six-speed auto gets paddle shifts and is programmed for a sporty throttle blip on downshifts.
The mid-range, larger-capacity GS 350 version produces 233kW and is claimed to reach 100km/h in a swift six seconds, while also consuming less fuel than the current, smaller-engined 183kW GS 300.
Top of the range is the torque-rich GS 450h hybrid, which musters 252kW and reaches 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds, a tad quicker than the conventionally engineered GS 350. Its main claim to fame is the combined fuel consumption figure of 6.2L/100km. Lexus has proved with past models that hybrids can offer prodigious power while retaining exceptional fuel economy and the GS 450h looks set to continue the tradition.
All models will offer F Sport variants with “greater dynamic and visual enhancements” in accordance with the Toyota offshoot’s wishes to convey a more sporting image across its model range.
The company says pricing and other details of the new GS will be made available at launch, although it has signalled it will be looking to price the new range more aggressively than the current lineup. Lexus executives said late last year that a GS 350 will be priced similarly to, or maybe less than the previous BMW 525i.
The V8 Lexus GS was shelved late in the life of the previous model and does not make a reappearance in the new generation.
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