FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Lexus GS hybrid – it's all about golf!

Luxury carmaker Lexus has overhauled its hybrid system so its well-heeled customers don't have to play a round of golf alone. The new generation GS sedan has a new battery pack split in two to free-up more boot space.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show overnight, the new GS hybrid has 45 per cent more boot space than the previous model. It has grown to 464 litres in capacity, while the non-hybrid version has 530 litres boot space.

In non-technical terms, that's three and four golf bags respectively.

By comparison, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 540 litres of boot space. The Lexus GS hybrid has a marginally bigger boot than the Toyota Corolla small sedan (450 litres).

It may seem unusual to highlight the boot proportions of an all-new car but that's where Lexus thinks the biggest impressions are to be made with likely GS buyers.

"The number one customer resistance point [with the previous GS hybrid] was the package [boot] space," Lexus Australia corporate manager Peter Evans told motoring.com.au.

"It wasn't the performance, it wasn't the economy, it wasn't the style, it wasn't the comfort, it was the package [space].

"The average age of buyers for [this class of car] is 54. So they've all made it, they're not strivers like [BMW] 3 Series buyers … they're self actualised, and life is about family, friends, comfort, and it's about golf."

Buyers of the new GS will be able to spend more time playing golf, too. Because they'll get to the course quicker!

The new GS hybrid system has a total of 252kW of power and sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a V8-like 5.9 seconds. Yet thanks to a combination of its direct-injected V6 and electric powertrain, the vehicle has a combined fuel average consumption rating of 6.3L/100km.

There are no visual cues to the Hybrid's 'difference' other than the hybrid badges on the rear doors and the absence of exhaust outlets in the rear bumper. [The exhausts are there but hidden, diesel style]

The new GS range is due on sale in Australia in the first half of next year. Pricing is yet to be announced but is expected to be similar to or less than the equivalent outgoing model which starts from $98,000 for the V6 model and $125,000 for the hybrid model.

The V8-powered GS has been discontinued because, Lexus says, the hybrid has better performance, better economy and a cheaper price. The V8 in the outgoing range was $136,000.

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