GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Lexus - GS - range

First drive: GS marks Lexus rebirth

Genesis: Lexus expects the new GS will mark a rebirth for the brand in Australia.

All-new Lexus GS luxury mid-sizer gets serious against BMW, Benz and Audi

Gallery

Click to see larger images

3 Apr 2012

COMPLETELY redesigned, comprehensively reengineered and priced to undermine the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6, the fourth-generation GS marks the rebirth of Lexus in Australia.

On sale now from $77,900 for the GS250 – some $20,000 less than the previous entry-level model – $89,900 for the GS350 and $99,900 for the GS450h (available from May 15), the latest mid-sized luxury sedan contender boasts more space, strength, equipment, technology, safety, value and driver appeal than its underachieving eight-year old predecessor.

Each of the three engine variants is offered in three model grades – Luxury, F Sport, and Sports Luxury.

“We were very conscious of the fact that the last GS was down on engine variants, on models and price compared to its rivals,” admitted Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb.

“But with the introduction of the all-new GS we have the opportunity to redress the situation.”

While Lexus Australia marketing and aftersales manager Peter Evans declined to divulge volume forecasts, he said the new model’s sales spike in Europe so far is a good omen for Australia.

“(With the old car) we were at five to 10 units a month, and the Germans have been achieving for some months 150, so there’s a middle ground in there somewhere that we would like to share,” he said.

“We’ve got nine models – and it’s the first time we’ve had such a comprehensive model range. Last time we only had four models, so now you can choose your specification level and choose your engine.”

Mr Evans acknowledged that a lack of rear-seat entry and egress, headroom and legroom, as well as boot space, were “a major turn off” for buyers of the old model.

While all these things have since been rectified, the marketing will emphasise design and driveability to attract new customers to the fold.

Key to the car’s long-term success is the lower entry point, which not only puts the GS250 Luxury on a par with the BMW 520i and Audi A6 2.0 TFSI, but also represents a 20 per cent reduction on the previous base GS300 Sports at $97,814 while containing 20 per cent of extra added standard specification, according to Lexus.

The base GS – which Lexus expects to account for the biggest share of sales – includes 10 airbags, leather-accented interior, a blind-spot warning system, tyre pressure monitors, a reverse camera with parking sensors, bi-Xenon adaptive headlights and LED driving lights, a three-setting drive mode system, rain-sensing wipers, digital radio, satellite-navigation with traffic alerts, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, dual-zone climate-control, heated and ventilated front seats, 10-way electric front seats with driver’s memory settings, keyless entry and starting, and metallic paint.

The GS350 Luxury is almost $8000 cheaper yet significantly more powerful and better equipped than the old GS300 Sports, while the GS450h Luxury costs almost $27,000 less than its single-model $126,800 predecessor.

Power for the new base model comes from a 2.5-litre all-alloy 24-valve V6 petrol engine with dual VVT-i variable valve timing that produces 154kW of power at 6400rpm and 253Nm of torque at 4800rpm.

Capable of 225km/h, it reaches 100km/h from standstill in 8.6 seconds, averages 9.3 litres per 100km and pumps out 215 grams per kilometre of CO2.

The 3.5-litre dual-injection V6 in the GS350 produces 233kW at 6400rpm, 378Nm at 4800rpm, a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.0s on the way to 235km/h, 9.7L/100km and 225g/km (only 0.1L/100km and 7g/km better than the old 183kW/310Nm GS300).

Both V6s drive the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic fitted with sequential paddle shifters.

GS chief engineer Yosihiko Kanamori said that a close-ratio eight-speed automatic based on the transmission found in the LS range is under development but some way off, adding that the current unit is too smooth and linear for a sports sedan application.

The GS450h hybrid model is powered by a 252kW Atkinson-cycle 3.5-litre V6 teamed with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), pushing it to 100km/h in 5.9s, using 6.2L/100km (a 20 per cent improvement over the old hybrid) and emitting just 137g/km (EU spec).

Work commenced in 2006 on the all-new chassis (which is also set to underpin the next-generation IS in much modified form from later next year), with the suspension, steering, brakes and electronics undergoing a complete overhaul.

The front suspension consists of a new double-wishbone set-up, the rear is a redesigned multi-link design, the electric rack-and-pinion steering is linked to the Drive Mode Select system, the brake control is also electronic, and the F Sport models get unique suspension calibration.

The GS350 F Sport has an upgraded brake package (with two-piece rotors for greater performance) as well as a pre-collision system, the Lexus Dynamic Handling System, which incorporates variable gear ratio steering, and a four-wheel steering system designed to enhance stability, manoeuvrability and control.

Electronic variable damper control is at the centre of the Adaptive Variable Suspension feature that’s also on the F Sport and Sports Luxury grades.

Lexus claims a 14 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, thanks mainly to the increased use of ultra-high-tensile steel and laser welding.

While the use of forged aluminium and other lightweight materials has seen the body weight drop by 30kg, overall mass has increased by about 100kg, with kerb weight ranging from 1720kg to around 1800kg.

Though the new GS has similar basic measurements as the old one, there is slightly more interior space and a 23 per cent larger boot (530 litres).

F Sport models are distinguished by unique 19-inch alloy wheels, sports pedals, specific interior trim, a body kit and different grille treatment.

Among other items, the Sports Luxury has a 12.3-inch multimedia display (said to be the largest on a production car), a driver-alert monitor, the pre-collision system, 20-way adjustable seats, head-up display, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, three-zone climate-control with rear controls, automatic high-beam control, side and rear window sunshades, and upgraded leather and woodgrain interior treatment.

Rounding out the changes, the fourth-gen GS debuts the company’s new ‘S-Flow’ energy-saving climate-control system, the cabin materials used are meant to elevate the ambience, much work has gone into improving the cabin ergonomics, and new seat designs are designed to cut fatigue and improve support.

Lexus GS pricing
250 Luxury $77,900
250 F Sport $85,900
250 Sport Luxury $99,900
350 Luxury $89,900
350 F Sport $99,900
350 Sport Luxury $109,900
450h Luxury $99,900
450h F Sport $111,900
450h Sport Luxury $121,900

Quick tests

Read more

1st of January 1970

GoAuto can help you buy a new GS

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Lexus models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here