SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Lexus Oz considering GS 300h

Lexus has confirmed the downsized GS 300h hybrid, which made its global debut at the Shanghai motor show over the weekend, is odds-on for release in Australia.

Toyota’s luxury brand took the unusual step of revealing the second hybrid GS model (following the V6 petrol-electric GS 450h) is under serious consideration for our market following its world premiere in China.

“Globally there is a clear and growing trend towards alternative powertrains and the introduction of the GS 300h only reinforces Lexus' long-standing hybrid lead,” said Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley.

“Today over 30 per cent of Lexus customers in Australia choose to drive a hybrid -- and we, like them, are firm believers that this is tomorrow's technology today.

“The next step for Lexus in Australia is to determine the suitability of GS 300h for the Australian market before confirming local introduction.”

Due to be launched in selected markets later this year, the GS 300h is powered by the four-cylinder petrol-electric drivetrain that will be offered in the first IS hybrid when the third-generation mid-size luxury sedan goes on sale here in October.

In pre-production Chinese specification, the GS 300h combines a 133kW/221Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with D-4S direct-injection and an electric motor to deliver maximum power of 164kW – 13kW more than the similar powertrain in Toyota’s Camry Hybrid.

Like the GS 450h and all other Lexus and Toyota hybrids except the Prius Plug-In, the electrified GS 300h relies on a nickel-metal hydride battery pack – not the newer lithium-ion technology favoured by most other hybrid and EV makers.

Naturally, the downsized GS hybrid promises greater efficiency than the GS 450h V6, which delivers a V8-like 252kW, consumes 6.3L/100km and emits 147g/km of CO2.

Lexus says the European-spec GS 300h will consume less than 6.0L/100km and emit 110g/km.

If it gets the green light, the GS 300h will represent the fourth powertrain offering for the large GS sedan in Australia, including the entry-level GS 250 (powered by a 154kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6), mid-range GS 350 (233kW/378Nm 3.5-litre V6) and flagship GS 450h.

All three existing GS powertrains are available here in Luxury, F Sport and Sport Luxury grades. If approved for local release, the GS 300h is therefore also likely to be made available in three trim levels, with a starting price somewhere between the GS 250 (from $77,400) and GS 350 (from $89,400).

Providing the Japanese premium brand with another answer to diesel-powered priced large sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, the GS 300h would bring to six the number of Lexus hybrids available in Australia, alongside the CT 200h, GS 450h, RX 450h, LS 600h and upcoming IS 300h.

Overseas, Lexus also sells the ES 300h and HS 250h, as well as an all-wheel drive version of the GS 350.

Lexus says it sold about 47,800 GS sedans since the third generation was launched globally from the second quarter of last year – six times more than in 2011.

Apart from its smaller hybrid drive system, the GS 300h also emerged with new-to-GS full LED foglights and a full-colour head-display (HUD) – a first for Lexus.

Like similar systems from Lexus’ German competitors, the latter can project a range of useful information onto the windscreen ahead of the driver, including road peed, gear position, navigation, media and pre-collision safety warnings.

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