Last week, we posted on Lexus’ planned major lineup revamp, which will see its GS, ES, IS and LS sedans either redesigned or re-engineered by spring 2013. This, plus a halo “LFA Roadster”, will work to address flagging sales in the crucial North American market.
First out will be the new GS, which will be launched at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18 – a teaser is already out, click here to view it. The production car should retain much of what we see on the LF-Gh Hybrid Concept from the New York show earlier this year – in line with Lexus’ push for a more dynamic image. For the GS, out goes the soap bar shape for sharper BMW E60 style styling.
Around since 2005, the current GS has its smallest engine pegged at 3.0 litres (GS 300), but reports from Thailand say that the new model will have a smaller 2.5-litre V6 engine to better compete with BMW’s 5-Series and Mercedes’ E-Class. This logical move means that for the first time in the GS’ 20-year history, the car will have an engine smaller than 3.0 litres.
This move will allow Lexus to dodge Thailand’s maximum excise tax of 50% for cars with more than 220 hp (GS 300 has 229 hp), allowing it to be priced at “the level of its intended rivals”. The Thai assembled BMW 523i Highline and Mercedes-Benz E250 CGI Avantgarde sell for 4.249 million and 4.299 million baht, respectively. The current Japan made GS 300 is priced between 5.39 million and 5.99 million baht, putting it out of contention.
Lexus already has a 2.5 V6 in its IS compact exec, so this is no big issue. Perhaps Malaysia is part of the plans as well, since we have a road tax system based on engine capacity, and our market is used to mid sized execs with relatively small engines.
The fourth-generation GS will make its first appearance in our region later this year at Thailand’s Motor Expo.
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Too funky, but we’ll get used to it.
what u mean by “funky”,been years in design world,never heard of a word funky design on an object…this is a car,not graphic work..damn,what a comment u put in~
agreed, everywhere look nice but the front just abit weird… bt guess this is the future of the front grille shld look like….
>_<;
Don't like the front. But everything else looks nice
Yeah, the rear looks kinda good actually, I love the taillamps, the crease that runs from the bumper to the boot lid, it looks neat and overall very nice to look at.
waaa..this lexus butt look like sonata…hahahaha
certainly ppl with T n H in forehead cannot accept this…hehehehe..ask paul to put it side by side n see 4 urself..well,to be honest,who cares rite?but just to tease ppl who condemn korean car so much..copy this,copy that laa..now take back~
You replied to your own post?
Funky. :mrgreen:
I now truly believe the saying of “Love is blind”. Look at you, your love to the korean cars has blinded you, totally.
If you say this CONCEPT CAR looks like the E60 5series, I’d take that but Sonata? Come’on! Do you know any other cars besides the Sonata?
Lexus LFA + BMW 5 Series E60 = LF-Gh
It reminds me of previous generation BMW 5 Series.
Hmmm…..where the side mirror?? newer version use small camera with lcd screen inside?
Wow… why?
Front end looks unique. I like.
One word UGLY
GS250 is already driven by some of the english automotive media … and the review is on the net already..
Lexus is trying the best to come out with a refresh look that may take a while to be accepted by the general public. It’s a design , does matter you hate it or you love it. Well, most of the cars today actually resemble each other. You may find the new CRV resembles the Kia sportage, or the above Lexus tail lamp resembles the one on a Sonata. Only good product with the right pricing sells. Let us see the result.
Nice. I will instruct my hubby to get one right after he steps down from office.
I’ll get this over an F10, if the price is lower.
Else I’ll still go German instead of Jap.
BMW E60 + Audi A6 = Lexus GS
too many unresolved lines … very untidy . especially the grill . japanese are very good in their ‘zen’ design . why dont make this car zen elegance look .
I luv the new Predator and Alien front end look! It seems the GS has always has great lines from the first model GS 300, GS 350, GS 460 and GS 450h Hybrid! =)