2012 Lexus GS leaks out ahead of Pebble Beach debut

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Le yawn...

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Le yawn...

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

You guys don't like the new Chevy Malibu... I mean Lexus GS.

[Matador]

You were saying








Now Lexus, Make a GS F

[RRnold]

^ good lawd, look at the size of those mirrors!

Now that looks nice!!!

[bofa]

The front looks very... R34-ish. And the rest is bland as f----.

[82mm 4g63]

The front isn't bad looking, but again Toyota is late to the party. I'm getting kinda tired of the giant gaping front grills. Audi, EvoX, Challenger even the new Hyundai's are doing it. And the rest of the car is very bland, interior looks comfy though.

[bofa]

Yeah, dont get me wrong, I like the front. It's almost too good for a luxury sedan though...

[Type[R]+]

Looks like a very nice limo to me! Great alternative the the BMW 5 series.

I like the shape of the IS250/350, and this just takes it one step further.
Now if they'll just throw in the V8 from the IS-F like the rumors say, it'll be perfect!

[Zaku]

looks like a big IS to me...

[vh_supra26]

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The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is in full swing. With concept reveals and new product debuts, there is no shortage of news. And although seeing the 2013 Lexus GS 350 unveiled at Pebble Beach didn't surprise us, hearing Akio Toyoda tell the crowd that he was initially opposed to the fourth-generation GS did.

After being on stage for less than five minutes, Toyoda told the crowd, "I have to be honest: initially I did not want to proceed with this project," referring to the new GS. He went on to explain that the world markets were so passionate about the GS, they said he was crazy to hesitate. In the end, Toyoda said he was won over by the enthusiasm for the car around the world.

Toyoda said that he personally oversaw the development of the new GS, as it had to be "designed, engineered, and manufactured" perfectly. He admitted to driving the engineers crazy from the beginning, telling them that the new GS had to be "right from the start."

The new Lexus GS signals the design direction for future Lexus models. The design teams were instructed to make it "bolder, stronger, and more confident." Inspiration was taken from the LFA supercar.

During the reveal, Toyoda also announced that the new 2013 GS "is just the beginning." Lexus will launch "nine new or updated vehicles" in 2012, with many more in development. Lexus plans to debut the 2013 GS Hybrid at next month's 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show and the 2013 GS F-Sport at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Stay tuned for more news as the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show approaches.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-2013-lexus-gs

[vh_supra26]

[vh_supra26]

We’ve driven it and we’ve spied it, but this is the first time we’ve seen the 2013 Lexus GS 350 wearing nothing but its paint. Unveiled at an event before the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the 2013 GS 350 may not be quite the leap forward we were hoping it would be, but it promises to be a better contender than its oft-forgotten predecessor.

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda promised as much during the car’s reveal, where he outlined the future direction of Lexus in addition to singing the praises of the GS. He said he was personally involved in the GS project and checked on its progress. “This car is amazing to drive,” Toyoda exclaimed, and also revealed that the car underwent extensive testing at Germany’s Nurburgring (what car doesn’t these days).

The Toyota CEO went on to say that the GS, which will go on sale next February, is just the first of nine new or revised Lexus cars coming in the next year, and that the Lexus organization was being revamped to be a completely autonomous division under his direction.

Under the hood, the 2013 GS 350 features the same 3.5-liter V-6 as the 2011 model but with a slight power bump to 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It remains mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic gearbox in rear-drive or all-wheel drive configurations. Lexus claims a 0-60 mph time of around 5.7 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 142 mph. Two other GS models be unveiled by the time it hits dealer showrooms in early 2012 — a Hybrid, and an F-Sport. The Hybrid, which will be revealed at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show, is likely to retain the powertrain of the 2011 GS450h and Lexus released a teaser of photo a model bearing that name. The F-Sport, meanwhile, will feature the same engine as the regular GS 350 but with 19-inch wheels, sticky tires, bigger brakes, variable-rate steering, and an adaptive suspension. Lexus officials have indicated that the V-8 model will be dropped from the lineup.

Speaking of suspension and handling, the 2013 GS 350 will feature four selectable driving modes, two of which have sportiness in mind. In addition to “Standard” mode, the GS has an “ECO” mode that, Lexus says, “revises throttle mapping, seat heating, and climate control systems for better fuel economy.” The next mode is called “SPORT S,” which will increase throttle response, and change the transmission’s shift points to “fully exploit the capabilities of the powertrain.” The last mode, “SPORT S+” will only be available on certain models. “SPORT S+” starts with “SPORT S” and then firms up the suspension, tightens up steering, and remaps the stability control system to allow more aggressive driving.

The GS’ most prominent exterior feature are the twin blade-like chrome strips that flank the hourglass-shaped grille, which Lexus says is designed to improve aerodynamics and airflow. Bordering each side of the grille are two fully-functional air inlets that are used to cool the brakes, among other things.

Inside, Lexus mixes up the GS 350’s interior a bit. In what might just be a first for Lexus, the entire cabin was created to enhance the driving experience, rather than the “old fashioned” Lexus way of coddling all passengers. Lexus said it changed the driver’s seating position so that the driver has, “increased comfort, better forward visibility, and overall command of the road.” Perhaps the cabin’s most distinctive feature is the massive 12.3-inch screen that comes with the optional navigation system. Lexus says that the screen is capable of supporting high-definition graphics and that it can be split to include both a large map, and any number of other displays, like audio or climate control information — much like the big screen offered in many BMWs.

http://wot.motortrend.com/2013-lexus...#ixzz1VRHQeVWl

[Laika]

Nice to see they added mirrors. I think it looks beautiful. I want!

[vh_supra26]

When Lexus unveiled the LF-Gh concept at this year's New York Auto Show, few expected the dramatic, sharp-edged look to make it to production, but that's exactly what Lexus has done. Only minimal concessions to convention have been made for the 2013 Lexus GS 350, with most of the particularly striking front end's styling staying intact.
The door handles, fog lights, exhaust outlets, tail lights, and shaved side mirrors are the only real differences from the concept, all toned down or brought in line with the necessities of day-to-day use. Otherwise, the aggressive, high-tech look has made it through to the finished product. Lexus buyers will be happy, and those that might have dismissed the brand previously will no doubt be taking second looks.

A control knob in the console offers a choice of Eco, Normal, Sport S and S+ modes for the drivetrain, while a separate button puts the car in Snow mode. These settings control how the six-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission, throttle, and suspension react to the driver's inputs. This drive selector is adapted from the high-performance IS F sedan, and also controls seat heating and climate control systems in Eco mode; instrument panel lighting colors in Sport S mode; and stability control and steering in Sport S+ mode.

A 306-horsepower, 277-pound-feet of torque, 3.5-liter V-6 engine propels the GS 350, quickly enough for 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Perhaps more importantly, 30-50 mph acceleration takes just 3.0 seconds, making it easier to shoot gaps in traffic and make passes. The new GS weighs in at 3,715 pounds--not exactly a featherweight, but relatively light given its size and luxury class. Standard wheels are 17x7.5 inches all around, while upgrades to 18x8-inch or 19x8-inch wheels are available. Top speed is electronically limited to 142 mph. Lexus says the new GS gets better fuel economy than the previous model's 19/26 mpg rating, but hasn't disclosed precise figures yet. The GS will be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. A hybrid GS 450h and GS 350 F Sport will join the lineup later this year, with details to follow.

But it's not all about the exterior and powertrain with the new GS. The interior is all-new, too, with a pleasing leather and brushed metal theme dominating. Two-tone upholstery, wood accents, and streamlined controls throughout the cabin offer a refined, modern look that's neither too understated nor too busy.

The huge display screen is set into a dedicated recess in the dash, offeringa access to media, navigation, climate, and phone controls through the console-mounted Remote Touch haptic input device. The center stack itself is surprisingly simple, with just the core HVAC and audio controls using real estate for buttons.

Innovative features include an intelligent "S-Flow" climate control system saves energy by only sending airflow to areas where passengers are seated. All GS models come standard with a rear backup camera, as is the Remote Touch input system. LED ambient lighting accents the cabin at night, and a new analog clock--carved from a solid ingot--graces the dash.

All GS sedans also get DVD audio and video capability, a format that's not all that popular, but is impressive in its quality when you can find media that uses. MP3 sound enhancement, 5.1 Surround Sound, and an eight-inch display screen are also standard gear, making the Bluetooth streaming audio and automatic phonebook download more useful. GS owners even get SMS text-to-speech that reads off incoming text messages so they don't have to take their eyes off the road.

Upgrading to the optional navigation system adds the huge 12.3-inch display shown in the photos, which uses a split-screen arrangement to allow simultaneous view of navigation maps plus audio, climate, or other information. A Mark Levinson 7.1 Surround Sound audio system is also available, pumping 835 watts through 17 speakers on 10 channels via a class D digital amplifier. The speakers are even eco-friendly: Green Edge-brand units that are lighter and more energy efficient than standard speakers.

Included safety equipment for all GS models: 10 airbags, including knee bags for both front seats; Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats; and pre-tensioners on the seatbelts.

Optional safety upgrades include a pre-collision system that uses the adaptive radar cruise control system's sensors to warn of an impending crash plus an infrared camera used to monitor the driver's eyes for signs of inattention. If the driver doesn't react as expected or required, the system can intervene with braking up to two seconds before impact. Night vision, heads-up display (HUD), and blind-spot monitoring are also available.

We're on the scene at Pebble Beach, so look forward to more on the 2013 Lexus GS 350, including live images from the car's debut.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...beach-concours