New Lexus GS debuts Down Under

LEXUS chose to give its all-new GS its Australian public debut at the Brisbane motor show – more than three weeks prior to its official launch.

While pricing won’t be announced until its March 1 release, the new GS sedan brings a number of wholesale changes that were revealed more than 12 months ago at its Detroit motor show debut.

First there’s the availability of the range-topping GS430 for the first time, powered by a 222kW/441Nm 4.3-litre V8 similar to that found in SC430, LS430 and the previous GS430 sold in the US.

GS300 also scores a new 3.0-litre V6 with 181kW/309Nm, said to be the first direct-injection petrol engine offered in a medium luxury car. It replaces the BMW-style inline sixes of the previous two generations, while all-wheel drive will be another departure for GS.

Among the host of new chassis, suspension, braking and steering technology is a new generation of vehicle swerve control dubbed Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDiM).

There’s also flowdown technology from the LS430 flagship such as a rear-view camera, plus Pre-Collision Technology (PCS), which senses if a collision is imminent and automatically pretensions the seatbelts and prepares (and if necessary, activates) emergency brake assist technology.

Lexus has had this in mind with the development of the GS line, which features other Lexus-style user friendly technology, including flow downs from the flagship LS430, such as a rear-view camera.