Lexus to double GS hybrid sales

Lexus expects its redesigned GS450h hybrid luxury sedan to be twice as popular as the slow-selling model it replaces from June.

Joining the third-generation GS line-up released Down Under in March, the new GS450h is forecast to comprise 10 per cent of total GS sales, which so far this year have numbered 135 – up some 400 per cent on 2011 figures.

With about 120 new-generation GS models sold in the first two months on sale, the latest large Lexus sedan should attract in excess of 400 buyers this year, which would still see it rank behind its established European rivals in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (which last year found 1386 Australian homes), BMW’s 5 Series (1384), Audi’s A6 (710) and the Jaguar XF (550).

However, with just 20 examples of the old GS450h being sold here last year and 10 per cent of a conservative figure of 400 total GS sales equating to 40 vehicles, Lexus will effectively double sales of the only hybrid model available in the $70,000-plus large car segment.

Last year Lexus sold just 114 examples of the discontinued GS, but points out that when it expanded the number of hybrid RX variants from one to three – a move that will be echoed by the GS450h – its proportion of sales lifted from just eight to some 30 per cent.

The outgoing GS450h was offered in one trim level, had a small boot and was priced at almost $130,000, but Lexus has not only expanded the new GS450h range but slashed the price by more than $25,000, offering the new high-tech hybrid from $99,900.

The previous model had serious pricing and packaging issues, and Lexus Australian chief executive Tony Cramb says the new model will bring buyers back into the fold by means other than price cuts, citing improvements in “in almost every area”.

“Featuring a 20 per cent improvement in value, the all-new Lexus GS450h will entice customers with its stylish design, expanded model range, innovative features and engaging driving dynamics,” he said.

“From its advanced hybrid drivetrain to its innovative onboard features, it is hard not to be impressed by the all-new GS450h hybrid,” said Mr Cramb.

Japan's best-known luxury car maker has said no to V8 or diesel engines for the GS series, instead offering the GS450h as a range-topping alternative that delivers the best fuel economy (6.3L/100km) and fastest 0-100km/h acceleration (5.9 seconds) in the range.

That means the GS450h has the peculiar task of taking the fight to both ends of the German large car spectrum, including frugal four-cylinder petrol and diesel and high-output eight-cylinder versions of the E-Class, 5 Series and A6.

Peak power from the 3.5-litre V6 petrol and electric motor combination is 254kW, while torque from the petrol engine is 353Nm, which is backed up by another 175Nm from the electric motor. All of this is transferred to the rear wheels via a special continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Lexus claims its latest hybrid luxury car delivers a number of world-firsts for the company, including the combination of hybrid power with all-wheel steering, two-piece brake rotors and a bamboo steering wheel.

There is also a 45 per cent larger boot - now 465 litres, up from a cramped 320 litres – and the hybrid GS is offered with 20-way adjustable seats, high-end 17-speaker audio systems and four-wheel steering.

Three models have been specified and pricing ranges from $99,900 plus on-road costs for the GS450h Luxury (which costs $22,000 more than the entry-level $77,900 GS250 Luxury), to $111,900 for the GS450h F Sport and $121,900 for the GS450h Sports Luxury.

The standard feature list has also been expanded and though the entry-level Luxury variant misses out on all-wheel steering, it gets a handful of techno-goodies such as adaptive variable suspension, a head-up display (HUD), digital radio tuner, blind spot monitor and self-healing paint.

Comfort features include leather accented seats, a moonroof, satellite-navigation with live traffic updates, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony and dual-zone climate-control with cooled/heated front seats.

Step up to the GS F Sport model and the extra $12,000 adds athletic appeal to the car via uprated suspension and brakes, larger wheels and a sports body kit. The $12K premium also makes it the world's first hybrid with four-wheel steering, via the Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) system.

Interior and technology additions for the F Sport models include sports bucket seats, a pre-collision safety system and radar cruise control.

At the top of the Lexus GS450h tree is the $121,900 Sports Luxury model, which takes everything from the Luxury variant and adds things like a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, tri-zone climate-control, 20-way adjustable front seats, woodgrain trim and an electric rear sunshade.

There's even an eye detection system that monitors driver fatigue levels and what Lexus claims is the world's largest automotive multimedia screen - a 12.3-inch unit.

Luxury and F Sport versions of the GS450h can both be optioned with 'Enhancement packs' that take pricing to $103,400 and $116,900 respectively, and add the pre-collision safety system and radar cruise control for the former, plus LED headlights, a premium 17-speaker sound system and ultra-wide multimedia display for the latter.

Stay tuned for our first local drive of the Lexus GS450h.

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