Future models - Lexus - GS - FLexus revs up with GS FBMW M5-rivalling GS F to fire up the Lexus line-up by the end of the year13 Feb 2015 LEXUS has committed to bringing the GS F sedan - unveiled at the Detroit motor show earlier this year in prototype form - to Australia in the second half of this year, to inject some emotion into its line-up. Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley was initially reluctant to talk specifics about the arrival of a production version of the GS F prototype but revealed some detail about the brand's opponent for the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Audi S6. "In the second half of this year, probably in the latter part of the second half of this year, I am very pleased to let you know that we will launch the GS F into the Australian market with the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine," he said. "I can't provide any further plans than that, but we'll have the GS F by the end of the year."The prototype shown earlier this year was fitted with the same naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that has just launched in Australia in the RC F coupe, albeit with lower outputs of 348kW and 528Nm. Mr Hanley believes the GS F will be a "good fit" for the brand in the four-door market, and hinted at further involvement with the V8 Supercar series in the future. "It's a significant performance car for us, there's a strong appeal and what I love is that we retain the five-litre V8, and if you put some thought into it and think about the V8 Supercar partnership it explores a whole new bunch of opportunities," he said. Lexus has recently announced its presence on the V8 Supercar grid as a supplier of the safety and course cars. It has stated the involvement will offer it the chance to assess public opinion on any involvement in the Australian motorsport scene as a competitor and it's impact on the brand image. "Three years ago if you had asked me where we saw the Lexus brand, I would say we are well regarded brand for quality and customer service," Mr Hanley said. "Lexus doesn't offend and doesn't excite, it's a safe brand with a loyal strong customer base – we need to take it from safe to exciting without relinquishing the soul of the brand."Its recent sales of F Sport and Sport Luxury variant grades have accounted for almost a third of vehicles sold and the three-pronged product strategy, that also includes the Luxury grade, is key for the brand's sustainable growth, according to Mr Hanley. "If we continue to build on the F strategy, you can slowly but sustainably take the brand from safe to exciting but you don't lose the traditional value of giving the best customer experience," he said. Read more12th of February 2015 Driven: Natural aspirations for Lexus RC FFree-breathing V8 power fires the top performance tier of the RC Lexus coupe range7th of January 2015 Detroit show: Lexus gives GS the F treatmentLexus’ big GS F German chaser to get 348kW V8 in sports-luxury packageAll future modelsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hummer HSV Infiniti Hyundai Jaguar Isuzu Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Lexus LDV Mahindra Lotus Mazda Maserati Mercedes-AMG McLaren MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Peugeot Pagani Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen GS pricing
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