Lexus Announces Second GS Hybrid, Details Expected at Paris Motor Show

Posted by Kevin on June 10th, 2012

In a surprise move, a senior Lexus UK executive has verified that a second GS hybrid is on its way — here’s a quote from MSN Cars UK:

President and Managing Director of Toyota Lexus GB, Jon Williams, confirmed the new “low displacement” GS hybrid during a press conference at the European launch of the fourth-generation car.

Although he refused to reveal exactly what engine would power the lesser hybrid, it would certainly be smaller than the 3.5-litre V6 of the GS450h, and possibly even smaller than the 2.5-litre V6 of the GS250 – relying on the electric motor to make up the resulting power deficit.

Expect more details perhaps as early as the Paris Motor Show in September. There remain no plans for a GS turbodiesel.

While no engine details were given, it’s worth noting that the GS 300h trademark was registered in Australia earlier this year, which would suggest the 2.5L 2AR-FXE four-cylinder engine from the ES 300h.

Also from the same article:

Lexus has also confirmed two entirely new cars are in the pipeline. One of these will be an all-new IS replacement, but the other is currently a mystery. A smaller SUV model to compliment the RX is one possibility, but we’re hoping for a production version of the stunning LF-LC sports car.

While the timing is purely coincidental, this mention of a “smaller SUV model” syncs up nicely the rendering featured last week — could we finally see the debut of a Lexus compact crossover SUV?

[Source: MSN Cars UK] (Thanks Wooski!)

EuropeFeaturesFutureHybridsLexus GS: Fourth GenerationRumorsUnited Kingdom
Popular Stories

Sorry. No data so far.

Comments
Y
Either is 2.5-liter V6 from GS250 or 2.5-liter L4 from ES300h , that would made sales better , but sometime Diesel would be better on some market too .
    J
    • J
      Jake
    • June 11, 2012
    I don't think the IS300h and GS300h will be getting the same engine from the ES300h.
M
  • M
    mrxandthexfactor
  • June 10, 2012
Lexus is killing three birds with one stone. It's:  Expanding its range as well as expanding the market segment. Creating more competition by bringing out cheaper/more affordable mid-luxury sedans.  Focusing on a hybrid future and refining its LHD.  Is there anything I might have missed?
B
  • B
    BlackDynamiteNY
  • June 10, 2012
Nothing for us Yanks to worry about...... BD
    W
    • W
      Wooski
    • June 11, 2012
    I would agree, you guys have the ES300h instead.
B
  • B
    brian jou
  • June 11, 2012
it would be awesome if it was the GS-F with a hybrid plant engine and the isf engine in it...( snap back to reality)
    K
    • K
      krew
    • June 11, 2012
    The thought crossed my mind, but the mention of "low-displacement" pretty much killed that idea. ;-)
    H
    • H
      HAHA
    • June 11, 2012
    I was thinking it could be more like the way the next enzo is has a small hybrid to power the car along with the gas engine
L
  • L
    Ljn71
  • June 11, 2012
A GS 300h would be a perfect entry level model for Europe!
    L
    • L
      LexusLVR
    • June 12, 2012
     To big. A GS200h would be better.
L
  • L
    Lexus LFA
  • June 11, 2012
Now that there is going to be a lower displacement hybrid does anybody have any thoughts on the pricing between the base model and the lower displacement hybrid.
L
  • L
    Lexus LFA
  • June 11, 2012
The picture up top makes really sad that the us isn't going to get the GS hybrid F-Sport.
P
  • P
    PG
  • June 11, 2012
A smaller hybrid model is exactly what Lexus needs to compete in the low-cost segment, where the 520d, E200 CDI, and the A6 2.0 TDI get most of their sales volumes. Finally Lexus seems to care at least a bit about the European market!
C
  • C
    Chris Pothast
  • June 11, 2012
I'm thinking an atkinson cycle 2.5l (or perhaps a bit smaller)v6 + elektromotor Output 220-240 hp. It would fit nicely between the other powertrain options as wel as competing with 528i and a6 2.0t. With the USP of v6+hybrid smoothness and excellent mpg. 35 to 36 mpg combined. Not the es300h power train as it is designed for transverse mount/fwd
W
  • W
    Wooski
  • June 13, 2012
Autocar has an update on this story - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/super-frugal-lexus-gs-hybrid-planned Lexus engineers are working on a super-frugal version of the new GS Hybrid according to company sources. Although the new 3.5-litre V6 GS450h has a CO2 rating, depending on specification, of between 137g/km and 141g/km, Lexus bosses recognise that the executive car market in Europe is increasingly dominated by four-cylinder diesel-engined models.   The new hybrid model will arrive in the second-half of 2013 and is likely to use a downsized six-cylinder petrol engine. Referring to the new four-cylinder Audi A8 hybrid, Yoshihiko Kanamori, chief engineer said that the need for in-cabin noise cancellation to improve refinement in the German car was one of the reasons that a Lexus GS ‘could never have a four-cylinder engine.’   Although the Japanese company would not reveal more about the new GS Hybrid (potentially badged GS350h) it is possible that it will use a version of the 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 engine that is fitted to the new GS250. Hitting a CO2 figure of 119g/km - matching the BMW 520ed - is the likely aim of the new model. It would, though, also offer higher performance than the four-pot BMW.   The UK has long been Lexus’s best market in Europe, but the brand has suffered a significant collapse in sales since the 2008 credit crunch. Sales hit 15,130 units in 2007, before dropping to just 8270 in 2011. Lexus UK expects to shift 9300 cars this year, rising to 15,000 in 2015, no doubt helped by the new super-frugal GS model. Lexus sold 410,000 units globally in 2011, with ‘60-70’ percent being sold in the US.
    J
    • J
      Jake
    • June 14, 2012
    A hybrid engine based on the GS250 (IS250) does make sense.

J