IAA 2011 Lexus GS 350 & GS 450h

Lexus has unveiled the all new 2013 Lexus GS at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The release marks the fourth generation of the Japanese luxury sport sedan.

The new five seated Lexus GS 350 made its first appearance at the August 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California with all-new sheet metal, a much roomier cabin and sophisticated new technology. Here in Frankfurt the GS 450 hybrid makes its world debut.

The GS 350 is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 which offers 306hp at 6,400rpm and 375Nm at 4,800rpm. Thanks to this, the engine propels the car from standstill to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited at 142mph, which is 228km/h.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment. By toggling the new Lexus Drive Mode selector the driver can customize the driving experience. The driver selector offers a choice of Eco, Normal, Sport S and S+ modes, as well as Snow mode via separate buttons.

All-wheel drive is optional. This electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is designed to enhance traction in a variety of driving conditions. The system can vary front-to-rear torque balance from 50/50 to as much as 30/70, depending on driving conditions.

The chassis and body of the car has been redesigned, resulting in a stiffer architecture and revised suspension. Alloy wheels and 225/50R17 tires are standard, but 18 and 19 inch combinations are available as option. Other interesting features of the new GS are a night vision system, head-up display, blind-spot monitor, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control and a pre-collision system.

The interior includes a number of embedded premium upgrades as standard equipment. This includes a central control display, automatic climate control and rear back-up camera. The cabin detail is complemented further by ambient LED lighting. To round off the interior, customers can choose from a pallet of three types of wood and lots of leather with contrasting stitching on the instrument panel, door panels, center console, steering wheel and shift lever.

Lexus is offering several entertainment/multimedia systems, including its own Enform communications system. For the true audiophile there is a joyful 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system available.

The 2012 Lexus GS 450h is powered by a hybrid system consisting of an Atkinson cycle 3.5 liter V6 engine and an water-cooled permanent magnet electric motor. The 2012 GS 450h has a total output of 338hp, which are sent to the rear wheels via a Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT).

The Lexus GS 450h is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds and that it has an electronically limited top speed of 210km/h (131mph). It is clear that the 450h emphasizes on fuel efficiency, not on top speed. The fuel consumption is expected to be improved by more than 30 percent.

The Lexus GS 350 and GS 450h will enter the market in the beginning of 2012. The Hybrid and sportive F-editions of the GS also will arrive in early 2012. The GS-F will be unveiled at SEMA in Las Vegas in November.

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