Lexus GS Hybrid: 1st Generation News & Information

Autoblog recently published a review of the Lexus GS 450h, detailing their impressions of the performance hybrid sedan.  Along with favorable mentions for the silent electric mode capability and interior design, the review raved about the 340 hp V6 hybrid’s performance:

The GS 450h is the world’s first performance luxury hybrid, and we loved its performance. That’s right, love. Why? Because batteries rock. They make things happen right now, and anytime we dabble in acceleration our preferred phrase to begin the proceedings with is “right now.” Acceleration from a stop isn’t cheetah fast – cheetahs take time to get up to speed. This is gazelle fast. When you’re being chased by something with teeth that’s already running 60 mph, you don’t have time to meander up to speed. The GS 450h accelerates like it doesn’t want to be eaten. Instant torque, party of one, your stoplight is ready. And this is in any gear, at any speed.

The review further found the Active Power Stabiilzer Suspension System (APSSS) as rendering corner-carving flat and stable, regarded the steering as fine, and observed that brake feel was surprisingly better after extended use.  Ultimately, Autoblog called the GS 450h the Lexus they would choose if their “budget was limited to $200,000” - with a caveat, namely the IS-F.  (Further details after the jump).

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Motor Trend has some new rumors on the next-generation Lexus GS expected to debut in 2011, including some questionable information on engine specifications that make me doubt their source:

Gone is the current 4.6-liter V-8, replaced by a 2.5-liter V-6—most likely a version of the engine presently found in the IS. The present 3.5-liter V-6 will become the top of the range. About a year after launch, a 2.5-liter hybrid will reportedly be added to the GS lineup.

In contrast, the GS F variant will employ the IS F’s 5.0-liter V-8, but with strategic modifications including revamped ECU and exhaust. Horsepower will reportedly be boosted from 417 hp to as much as 464 hp.

...the GS F will also incorporate a lighter platform and some carbon fiber body parts to get pounds down to a target weight of around 3530 lbs.

Basically, this would equal a GS 250, GS 350, GSh & a GS-F, which means that Lexus’ sports sedan would experience a dramatic performance downshift, and not be offered with a V8 engine except in a F-Sport tuned model. How likely is that?

It’s true that the current GS 460 & GS 450h put out similar performance numbers, and that could make one of the models redundant in the future. And yet, Motor Trend’s lineup eliminates both. The entire lineup would need to hit the proposed 3530 lb weight to make this viable, never mind just the GS-F. I can’t see the IS 250’s engine even being able to move a GS without some drastic weight reduction, and even if it could, I doubt we’ll see a GS 250 in North America.

I don’t believe it for one second.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Along with photos and information on the 2010 GS 350/460, Lexus USA also published a set of 2010 GS 450h photos:

The refreshed GSh is easily the best Lexus hybrid facelift—the new front grille in particular stands out as a clean, modern design, and the rear taillamps also show some nice execution.

I also like what’s been done with the lower chrome door sills, which now have a matte base. This is different from the other Lexus hybrids, and a nice subtle touch that I didn’t notice right away.

Also announced this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show was the revised 2010 Lexus GS 450h, which sports a new grille, among other small changes:

• The pre-crash collision system has been revised to include a pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions.
• The GSh navigation system has been upgraded to the Lexus 6th-gen system, which runs off a hard drive and will support Europe-wide traffic information (and likely Lexus Enform/XM Traffic in the USA).
• The front grille has been replaced to fit more in line with the other Lexus hybrids and the tail lights have been reworked. There’s also some a new 18” alloy wheel design.
• The interior will now sport a hybrid-blue start/stop button and a new Venaro Grey semi-aniline leather option, which will have contrasting black stitching and grey bird’s eye maple wood trim.
• There will be three new colors: Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue. This brings the color choice up to 11 exterior options.

Here are some photos of the 2010 Lexus GS 450h:

I’m impressed with the redesigned grille, it’s a good look and integrates much better with the surrounding chrome trim. Looking forward to seeing this Venaro Grey interior with black stitching, sounds very interesting.

After poring over the tiny 2010 Lexus GS 450h images taken from the Lexus Japan website, it’s nice to be able to look at some larger photos of the refreshed sedan (click the first three images for larger versions):

The ascending thickness of the front grille’s chrome bars is very classy, and looks to be the best interpretation of Lexus’ new hybrid grille treatment (as compared to the HS 250h & 2010 Lexus LS 600hl). Still, there’s only so much you can take from these types of photos, and it will be interesting to see all of the revised hybrids up close and personal.

[Via: Car Spy Shots]

Like the Lexus LS hybrid, the 2010 GS 450h will also be receiving a mild refresh, including a new grille, new chrome-circled tail lights and new wheels:

This was the only good shot I could find of the new tail lights:

As far as I can decipher from the Lexus Japan website, where these photos were posted, there are some possible interior changes, including a HDD-based navigation system replacing the current DVD and very nice interior material/color combinations:

Of course, it’s impossible to say what options will make the trip to North America, but I’m hoping these Hybrid decals stays in Japan:

(Also, it’s not clear which of these changes, if any, will be applied to GS 350/460. One thing’s for sure, the grille is sure to be hybrid-only.)

[Source: Lexus Japan]