While the North America edition of the next-generation Lexus GS appears to be carrying over the 3.5L V6 from the current generation (in both hybrid & non-hybrid formats), the fourth generation sports sedan will be getting a new engine for European (and likely Japanese) markets: the GS 250, which will likely be powered by the same 2.5 4GR-FSE engine seen in the current IS 250.
Let’s look at what Auto Car had to say after driving the lowest-displacement GS:
Our test car came with the adaptive dampers that automatically shuffle between nine different settings depending on driving style and road conditions, and the driver can select more sporting settings that will keep the car in the firmer ranges of the damper movement. And they do the job very well. The slightly desensitised and light, if nicely granular steering means that this is not as focused-feeling as the BMW but it’s not far off the same sort of serene, flowing sensation that Mercedes specialises in, and the excellent low-speed refinement only goes to emphasise that sensation too.
The rest of their review, which is surprising in its shortness, has no complaints about a lack of power or really anything about the engine at all, which is a good sign the 2.5L V6 is a fully capable powerplant for the GS.
Adding another engine option to the GS lineup is an excellent move, given the type of choice Europeans are used to. Of course, it might have been more brand-appropriate to have a 2.5L V6 hybrid, I think the primary goal of the GS 250 is to lower the cost of entry — which leads me to believe we’ll see some very interesting option packages when more information becomes available.
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