- A + A print
Home > Motoring > Motoring News > 2011 News >  

Hybrid Lexus GS


Hybrid Lexus GS

Author: Isaac Bober Date: 3 November 2011
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

Lexus Australia has confirmed its GS range will offer a hybrid/petrol-powered F Sport model when it arrives Down Under towards the middle of 2012.

The F Sport range will be spearheaded by the hybrid road rocket, which offers 252kW and a sprint to the legal limit (0-100km/h) in just 5.9secs. The GS 350 petrol variant will get there in six seconds.

Both the GS 350 and the 450h F Sport models will debut Lexus’ Dynamic Handling System and, in a move that mirrors BMW’s 5 Series, Dynamic Rear Steering (four-wheel steering, basically). The system, says Lexus, is designed to independently control both the front and rear wheel steering angles (up to a maximum of two degrees) to improve turn-in response.

At speeds below 80km/h the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions (counter steer). In certain conditions at speeds over 80km/h, front and rear wheels turn in the same direction (the BMW system only counter steers).

Similar to the CT200h, the new crop of GS models will feature a Drive Mode Select that allows drivers to choose between Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus modes, enabling them to tailor the drive to suit the conditions. If we’re totally honest, though, most people will never use any mode other than Normal.

The suspension has also come in for a raft of revision. Indeed, suspension on F Sport models has been a bone of contention with road testers deeming them too hard and jiggly on anything other than billiard table smooth roads.

Lexus, with the current suspension revisions to the ISF addressed these and improved the drivability of the car no end. We’re hoping the GS models will be softer rather than harder. Drivers will be able to select from two suspension settings: Normal and Sport Plus, but you’ll probably only ever use Normal.

Design-wise, the new GS F Sport range gets bigger side grilles, and an exclusive upper and lower mesh grille at the front. It gives the car, as you can see from the pictures, a more aggressive and hunkered-down look.

All F Sport models cop a rear spoiler and 19-inch alloys. On the inside, the GS F Sport range features matching door and seat upholstery combined aluminium accents throughout.

The figure-hugging sports seats are 16-way adjustable, and the scuff plates feature an exclusive black logo while the steering wheel gets an F Sport badge.

Pricing and the vehicle’s final Australian specification will be announced closer to its release next year. We’ll have more details as they come to hand.

 

Car Reviews

Make
Model
Year
Review type

Join thousands of others following NRMA

  • rss

    RSS

  • rss

    Twitter