Lexus has launched a major assault on the luxury mid-size sedan market with the all-new and much-improved six-model GS range. In fact it will be nine models when the GS 450h hybrid joins the team in a few months giving the Lexus GS the widest model range of any Lexus vehicle.
Like the smaller IS models, the all-new Lexus GS range boasts staggering technology, much of which makes it a real drivers car. And, priced from $77,900, the all-new Lexus GS significantly undercuts its award-winning - but not spectacularly-selling - predecessor in price, seriously challenging the value of its European rivals.
Make no mistake, Lexus is on the front-foot, challenged by President Akio Toyoda to become not necessarily the world’s biggest luxury automotive brand, but the best and most innovative. Some would suggest the mind-boggling V10-powered Lexus LFA supercar underscored the company’s intentions last year, but back in the significant volume world, Dr Toyoda challenged his team to make the all-new GS model “bolder, stronger and more confident”.
Lexus GS 250/350 Overview
Exterior dimensions are almost the same as the current Lexus GS but clever design has delivered more interior and cargo space. And of course there are new 2.5-litre and 3.5-litre V6 engines.
The new range is:
GS 250 Luxury $77,900
GS250 F Sport $85,900
GS 250 Sports Luxury $99,900
GS 350 Luxury $89,900
GS 350 F Sport $99,900
GS 350 Sports Luxury $109,900
In addition you can specify GS 250 Luxury and F Sport as well as GS 350 Luxury and F Sport with ‘Enhancement Packs’ which bring extras like Pre-Collision System, Active Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Head-Up Display. Moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with the world’s largest (12.3 inches) multi-media screen.
But across the range the all-new Lexus GS lineup delivers a stunning array of technology and driver aids. For example, Lexus GS 350 F Sport runs a world-first two-piece front brake rotor with four-piston calipers and Lexus Dynamic Handling System (LDHS) which includes dynamic rear steering and adaptive dampers.
On the safety front, all models have 10 airbags, rear parking sonar sensors, reversing camera, blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitor and emergency flashing brake lights braking. Also available are pre-collision safety system and driver fatigue monitoring.
Lexus GS 250/350 Engine
With 223kW at 6400rpm and 378Nm at 4800rpm, the new 3.5-litre quad-cam V6 engine in Lexus GS 350 is has 27 per cent more power and 22 per cent more torque than the outgoing GS 300 V6. Fuel consumption and emissions are down too – 9.7l/100kms on the combined cycle and 225g/km from the exhaust.
Lexus GS 250’s 2.5-litre V6 provides 154kW at 6400rpm and 235Nm at 4800rpm. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.3l/100kms and exhaust emissions score 215g/km.
Both drive the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle-shifters for sequential manual changes. The Lexus GS 350 accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds while the GS 250 takes 8.6 seconds.
Of course both engines are familiar as they also power the Lexus IS250 and 350. However both have been adapted for the GS, the 250 gaining more power and the 350 detailed changes in acoustics for a seriously sporty exhaust note when pressed hard.
Lexus GS 250/350 The Interior
Lexus has transformed the interior for the all-new GS. Quality and style hit you in the face wherever you look – from the all-new curved instrument binnacle and dashboard with soft-touch surfaces and twin-stitching to the impressive new multi-media screen (12.3-inch or 8-inch) – with a stunning graphic display of the selected drive mode.
The steering wheel is larger with an extra 50mm of telescopic reach, there’s new head-up display content and a driver drowsiness detection system (on-top of the steering column).
Seats are very impressive – Sports Luxury models feature 20-way electronic adjustments including clever adjustable shoulder supports.
F Sport models run 16-way electronic sports front seats (including world-first pelvic support), alloy pedals, F-Sport steering wheel, black scuff plates and an exclusive Garnet (red) leather is available.
Rear seat room has increased as has the boot capacity – now 530-litres with a ski port.
Lexus GS 250/350 Exterior & Styling
The contrast in looks between the all-new Lexus GS and the outdated version could not be greater. While the predecessor now appears outdated and soft, the new range is bold, confident and engaging.
Lexus GS 250/350 is the first Lexus to wear the new corporate identity (spindle grille) designed to give a more substantial on-road presence. There’s a muscular look around the front-end, exaggerated by the more aggressive bumper for GS 350.
The silhouette shows off the sculptured wheel arches and rear-three quarters while the rear is very nicely done with an aero lip on the boot (plus a spoiler for F Sport), under-bumper ducts and even aero fins on the tail-lights. That attention to aerodynamic details pays off with the drag Cd just 0.27.
And as usual with Lexus the myriad details are impressive. For example, while body rigidity is up by 14 per cent compared to the outgoing model, the actual bodyshell is 30kgs lighter.
Track for most models is 40mm wider at the front and 50mm wider at the rear. F-Sports are 50mm wider at the front and 20mm wider at the rear.
There are three new Lexus paint colours – Crimson Crystal (red), Meteor Mica (blue) and Sonic Silver.
Lexus GS 250/350 On The Road
In motor sport circles, drivers and engineers often talk about cars “taking a set” in corners. This means after initial turn-in, the car quickly settles in a balanced way and does not require much steering or throttle adjustment to keep it balanced all the way through the turn to exit.
Over the remarkable winding roads around Falls Creek in Victoria’s High Country, the Lexus GS 350 Sports Luxury did just that, highlighting the ‘smarts’ of those forged aluminium suspension components (front upper arms are 23 per cent lighter), adjustable dampers (set to ‘Sport+’) and Lexus Dynamic Handling System with its Dynamic Rear Steering. The contrast to the previous ‘soft’ Lexus GS could not be more abrupt.
GS F Sport runs unique suspension calibration, 19-inch alloy wheels and Bridgestone tyres.
‘Sports Luxury’ models also get the adaptive dampers and run 18-inch alloys in place of the previous model’s 17-inch wheels.
During our two days, we drove variants of Lexus GS 250 and 350 and really all are hard to criticize. Performance drivers will prefer the F Sport for its crispness and precision, but Luxury and Sports Luxury models are far from poor relations.
Here’s the thing – in a vacant car park at Falls Creek, Toyota rally ace Rick Bates set-up the usual advanced driver training style ‘swerve and recover’ course and we got to sample the different models (and the old 300) in emergency situations. The course reinforced our on-road impressions about the top-shelf ride/handling of the Lexus GS.
Sure the extra 99kW/125Nm of the GS 350 makes a huge difference, but again the GS 250 is hardly a laggard. Both were refined at all speeds (as you’d expect from Lexus).
Lexus GS 250/350 Challenges
We get the whole ‘Luxury’, ‘Sports Luxury’ and ‘Enhancement Pack’ thing. We really do.
But it is complex and prices overlap. A simpler lineup of just ‘Luxury’ and ‘F Sport’ would get our vote, make life easier for dealers and, we bet, customers.
Lexus GS 250/350 Verdict
Undeniably brilliant to drive, technically superb and serious value-for-money, the Lexus GS challenges rival luxury mid-size sedans from Germany.
Combine all that with good looks and a spacious interior and it’s clear the whole concept of the previous generation Lexus GS has been binned.
And that’s the point – Lexus is changing with new products and wider focus. Today’s customers want more and with the GS, Lexus has delivered. Maybe the GS is the car which can re-do the entire Lexus brand.
Combine all that with the ‘Lexus Encore Program’ of after-sales and service support (including free prick-up from home/office and genuine free loan cars) and the Germans have some thinking ahead of them.
Lexus 250/350 The Competition
Obviously BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6. As always you need to be careful with ‘specification-adjusted’ comparisons.
Lexus actually purchased a BMW 535i and is claiming a $45,000 price advantage for the equivalent F Sport model (which only misses-out on internet connectivity to the German). Lexus also bought a Mercedes-Benz E350 with Vision Pack and rear blinds (to match specs) and the difference in favour of the GS 350 Sports Luxury is said to be around $30,000.
And six-cylinder starting point for the Audi A6 is $93,900.
How much do you value that ‘Made In Germany’ sticker?
Lexus 250/350 Likes:
Lots of car for your coin; nice style inside and out; brilliant chassis and drivetrain
Lexus 250/350 Dislikes:
The car is fabulous but you’ll need a Cray supercomputer to make sense of the models and specs.
