Lexus boosts Australian GS range

A FORCED-INDUCTION model frenzy is setting Lexus up for a renewed push into 2016, with its 5 Series fighting GS range the latest to get the turbo drivetrain treatment.

The new look of the mid-sized GS range was revealed when the Japanese luxury brand unveiled its V8-powered GS F performance hero, but the mainstream market now gets its first look at the rest of the range in its turbocharged 200t guise.

The brand has chosen the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance, held in California, to unveil the newest addition to its family, alongside the new-look LX off-roader.

Lexus Australia said the new GS200t will be powered by the 2.0-litre turbo, already seen in its NX SUV line-up, with Australian appearances in the RC coupe (also in December), IS and ES mid-sizers (next month) and the RX large SUV next year.

As with the IS and RC, it will drive the rear wheels in the GS and offer up 180kW (a 5kW increase) and an identical torque figure of 350Nm with an eight-speed automatic transmission. United States numbers suggest an official fuel use figure in the region of 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

The new 200t will replace the entry-level 154kW/253Nm six-cylinder GS250 (with a $72,110, plus on-roads pricetag) when it goes on sale in December, while the existing hybrid and larger six-cylinder drivetrains will remain as part of the local line-up, with talk of only slight output increases.

The GS range gets a new spindle-grille front end that the brand describes as “bolder,” with dual-LED headlights, tweaked tail-lights and altered bumper profiles front and rear.

Also due in the update is the standard fitment of the Lexus Safety System +, comprising ten airbags (front, front-side, front-knee, front and rear side and full length side curtains) the Pre-Collision accident preparation system with pedestrian detection, camera-based lane-departure warning, auto-adaptive high beam and adaptive radar cruise control.

The driver will benefit from the analogue clock’s ability to set correct time based on GPS data as well as the inclusion of a larger 4.2-inch display within the instrument panel for vehicle data.

The infotainment controller gets additional buttons, the Bluetooth system now has full Apple iPhone Siri integration and there is also full screen map functionality for the satellite navigation the range has also been upgraded with new colours, wheel designs and trim options.

Lexus has been aiming for an improved sales performance, particularly for the small and mid-size prestige sedans, so expect pricing to remain largely unchanged despite the specification upgrades, although a starting price below $70,000 has been deemed unlikely.

Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the new models would boost the car-maker’s offering when it arrives in Australia in December.

“The new GS Line – including GS 200t – continue Lexus' product-led strategy, delivering with confident new styling, performance, technology and luxury features,” Mr Hanley said.