GRS190R (Mk3) GS

Lexus’ third-generation GS – and the second to be available in Australia – brought a number of firsts for the model.

New was the availability of the range-topping GS430, powered by a 222kW/441Nm 4.3-litre V8 similar to that found in SC430, LS430 and the previous GS430 sold in the US.

The GS300 also scored 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 replaced the BMW-style inline sixes of the previous two iterations, while the eventual arrival of 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.

The model arrived in base Sport V6, Sport Luxury V6 and Sport Luxury V8 guises.

From the middle of 2006 the GS450h featured a direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to an electric motor – Prius-style – for a 300kW combined output.

Lexus claims 4.5-litre V8 performance and 2.0-litre four-cylinder fuel economy – backed up by 6.8L/100km fuel consumption and 0-100km/h acceleration in less than six seconds.

For 2008 LEXUS has taken the scalpel to selected variants of its facelifted GS large sedan line-up, including the upgraded GS460 that made its debut Australian appearance at the Brisbane motor.

The Toyota luxury car division revealed a six per cent price reduction for the volume-selling GS300 Sports Luxury, to $105,900. Previously, the GS300 Luxury was priced at $112,524, while the entry-level GS300 Sports is now priced at $96,900 (up from $95,174).

Pricing for the petrol-electric GS450h remains unchanged at $124,900, but the new GS460 range-topper is now priced at $134,900 - almost two per cent less than the GS430 it replaces ($137,424).

The GS460 adopts its 225kW/460Nm 4.6-litre V8 engine and world-first eight-speed automatic transmission from last year’s new LS460 sedan flagship.

Despite sprinting to 100km/h one second sooner than its GS430 forebear (in 5.4 seconds), the GS460 is also claimed to reduce fuel consumption to 11.0L/100km.

Changes across the entire GS model family include subtle new front and rear bumper designs, new mirrors and different wheels and door-handles. Inside, all GS variants also receive a revised steering wheel, instrument panel, aluminium-look shift plate and revised flip-down control panel.