Lexus will launch its new GS saloon at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the US in August.
With styling closely based on Lexus' LG-Gh concept (pictured) that was shown at the New York motor show earlier this year, the new GS will come with petrol and petrol-electric hybrid engine options. The engine is a 3.5-litre V6 unit, but Lexus has yet to confirm power outputs, performance or economy figures.
Lexus has tweaked the underpinnings of the new GS so it's more engaging to drive - sufficiently so to rival the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF. An 'F' version is also expected to be part of the line-up, but this is set to be more is a styling package rather than a high performance version as with the IS F.
Adaptive damping will feature on the new GS and there will also be the option of four-wheel steering. This will allow the rear wheels to steer in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speeds for better manoeuvrability, but at higher speeds the rear wheels will move in the same direction as those at the front for greater stability.
Expect to see the GS in the metal at the Frankfurt motor show in September and on sale early in 2012.
Alisdair Suttie - 26 Jul 2011