Lexus used the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in northern California to unveil its stylish, all-new GS 350 mid-size sedan.
The V6-petrol GS will be joined later by the racy all-new F-Sport and a hybrid model.
Significantly, the all-new GS models herald a fundamental shift in Lexus’ design philosophy so we can expect the all-new ‘spindle’ front grille and muscly/purposeful front end and wide-track on-road stance to feature in future generations of other models from the Japanese giant.
The front bumper is quite aggressive in looks – necessary to deliver optimized aerodynamic efficiency, a feature which crops-up also at the rear with sculpturing around the boot and even fins in the tail-lights to ease the airflow.
An objective for the all-new GS was delivering much-improved cabin/luggage space, while maintaining exterior dimensions virtually unchanged from the current model. Lexus GS has delivered with head, legroom, knee room and foot space up over the superseded model, enhanced personal space and a boot which provides 25 per cent greater capacity – enough to accommodate four sets of golf clubs Lexus says (golf cubs having become the luggage measurement tool used by virtually every automotive company).
And front row occupants can choose to enjoy the world’s largest high-resolution multi function display with a 12.3-inch screen. All models gain a next-generation Remote Touch which enables more intuitive use of climate control, navigation and audio controls – that means less distractions when only the driver is operating is everything.
Overall the new interior is also much more sculptured and prestigious than the current Lexus GS. It’s also more efficient with, for example, an interactive climate control system with S-flow directional management which detects where people are actually sitting.
As usual with Lexus, the audio/entertainment systems are top-shelf (A 17-speaker mark Levinson system is available).
Lexus says lessons learned from development of the mighty Lexus LFA supercar have transferred to the all-new GS sedan with its all-new and much stiffer chassis (14 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity) also delivering a wider track (50mm wider rear, 40mm wider front). There’s also a sportier exhaust note from the new V6 petrol engine, slicker shifts from the automatic transmission and even more sporty style and support from the seats.
Front suspension employs aluminium upper and lower control arms while the rear sees a new sub-frame incorporated especially for the new multi-link design.
Under the bonnet, a new 3.5-litre with 233kW on tap replaces the previous 183kW/3.0-litre. Lexus says the new GS runs zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds to be one of the category front runners and that performance is highlighted by the new model’s sporty exhaust note.
Drive is a via a new six-speed automatic transmission which includes many of the features previous found in the current Lexus IS F – including faster shifts and throttle-blipping downchanges amongst its four driving modes.
Safety features too are massive – 10 airbags, new front seats with enhanced whiplash protection, standard reversing camera and dynamic radar cruise control with a pre-collision system which features an infrared camera to monitor the drivers’ eyes. If the system reckons the driver is not actually watching the imminent collision, the threshold for automatic intervention is brought forward.
Lexus Australia will announce detailed Australian specification closer to local launch and clearly, the all-new GS is being eagerly anticipated.
“Drivers in this segment demand a stylish and luxurious vehicle without compromise, featuring the latest in technology and smart thinking,” revealed Lexus Australia chief Tony Cramb. “GS represents the beginning of an all-new era in Lexus vehicle design and driving dynamics and we are certain it will resonate with potential buyers.”
