Be aware Germans, mighty Lexus GS-F on its way!

An "F" version of Lexus' GS model is on the works and according to R&T, the GS-F will come with a 5.0L V8 engine (a V10 engine has been speculated in the past) producing 465 hp! It is estimated that it will hit 100 km/h in less than 4.5 sec. The mighty Lexus should therefore be able to challenge the Germans, BMW's M5 and MB E63 AMG.

But performance doesn't come only from a powerful engine, low weight is also crucial. Thus, Lexus aims to achieve a weight of around 1700 kg by incorporating aluminium and carbon fibre parts. The GS-F won't hit the markets any time soon, but it could make its appearance as early as 2012.

[Source: Road&Track]

A glimpse of the new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

The latest issue of Best Car magazine has a very interesting cover showing all the important new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

So, here is what's coming (... I am missing a couple of Nissan sedan models):

• Daihatsu's small car based on the concept e:S (earlier post)

• Honda Fit - aka Jazz - wagon (earlier post)

• Honda Freed Hybrid 

• Honda Insight (facelift with design cues from  FCX Clarity)

• Lexus CT (looks like a spicy version... a CT-F perhaps?) 

• Lexus GS-F (earlier post)

• Mazda CX-5 (Mazda's variant of the Ford Kuga)

• Nissan Tiida - aka Versa - (earlier post)

• Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A (related posts)
  

• Toyota Prius V (related posts)

2011 Lexus "The Hard Way" - Chain commercial

Behind the scenes of the 2011 Lexus "The Hard Way" - Chain commercial

Development of new Lexus GS back on track

The development of the new Lexus GS had been frozen last year and thus, the original target of hitting the markets in August this year has been postponed. Toyota was affected by the reliability issues of the Prius (including brakes, engine valve springs etc) and therefore, priority was given in the resolution of the quality problems.

It seems though that Lexus has started again developing the new GS, which is now heading for a launch in August 2012. The new car will be rear wheel drive and according to Mag-X, it will ride on a new platform. In terms of styling, initial reports suggest that the four-lamp design will continue to be present, although there are some concerns as to whether  buyers will get tired of the same theme over three generations.

Lexus wants the new GS to be sporty and to be able to compete with the premium German models, which means that a lot of work has to be done in the interior. Also, there is going to be a new interface for all the electronic toys inside.
 

The new GS will not grow anymore, measuring 4,830 x 1,840 x 1,450 (mm), and the base model is likely to be powered by a 2.5 L V6 engine.

Lexus GS-F arriving earlier than expected - powered by V6 engine!

Back in December, it was reported that the mighty Lexus GS-F would arrive as early as 2012 (earlier post). Well, BC (which I consider it as very well informed source) claims that the GS-F will actually arrive in August 2011!

Other information revealed include that power will come from a 3.5 L V6 engine plus an electric motor, a combination which will result in a fuel efficiency of 13.0 km/L (10.15 mode). This "F" hybrid machine will be pricey though, with an estimated price tag of... ¥ 9,000,000!

BC's impression of next-gen Lexus GS

It wasn't a long time since the last report regarding the next-gen Lexus GS (earlier post), and now there is another one in the latest BC issue. This time, the scanner didn't do a good job and thus the OCR didn't work, but from what I could make out of the text, BC claims that power will come from a 2.5L V6 petrol engine (4GR-FSE) and the model will be badged as GS 250. This engine will deliver 215 PS and 26.5 kgm of torque, while the fuel efficiency should be 12.5 km/L. A hybrid version will also be available, probably badged as GS 450h.

Well, although there is nothing new compared to the previous report, what really surprised me is BC's impression in terms of styling, since the rendering looks like a grown up CT (something like Audi's practice...). Also, BC seems to believe that Lexus will abandon the four-lamp design.

... and BC's impression of next-gen Lexus GS-F!

Last report regarding the hot GS-F suggested that power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine coupled to an electric motor (earlier post) and it should hit the market in August this year. This is earlier than expected, but considering than a new GS is underway, it makes sense. To be honest though, I am not convinced about the electric motor bit at all...

Anyway, following BC's impression of the next-gen GS (earlier post), here is an impression of the next-gen GS-F!

Another impression of next-gen Lexus GS...

OK, we have seen Mag-X's and BC's impressions and now it's time for Japanese Motor Magazine! Hmm, this impression looks much better to me...

All-new Lexus IS-F coming in 2012

Following the post regarding the all-new Lexus IS (earlier post), now it's time for some info about the new IS-F, which is expected to be launched in April 2012, according to Japanese Best Car (Super Scoop Special issue). Power should come from a 5.0L V8 engine with a power output of 423 ps and 51.5 kgm of torque. Now if that's true, then we are talking about some serious fun! Just for the record, BC claims now that the same engine will power the all-new GS-F (earlier post), but in this case, power will be up to 465 ps.

Lexus to unveil LF-Gh concept at New York Auto Show!!!

Lexus is already working on the GS successor (earlier post) and a lot of renderings have been published by Japanese magazines. A concept called LF-Gh will be presented at the 2011 New York Auto Show, on April 19th, and I presume it will be an indication of how the new GS will look like. According to Lexus, “LF-Gh: LF = Lexus Future. h = hybrid. G = ...”.

First Lexus LF-Gh teaser images

Lexus has released the first teaser images of the LF-Gh hybrid concept (earlier post), which will be presented on April 19th. The LF-Gh (Lexus Future Grand Touring hybrid) concept is Lexus’s redefinition of the luxury “grand tourer”.

Latest impression of new 2012 Lexus GS

Japanese magazines have published a lot of impressions of the new Lexus GS (related posts) and the only thing that seems to be true is that it will be introduced in 2012. The latest rendering comes from Mag-X, which mentions August 2012 as a launch date.

Lexus LF-Gh reveiled!

This is Lexus' latest concept and it is a preview of the next-gen GS. The concept provides also a glimpse of the future design direction, which is an evolution of L-finesses philosophy. According to Lexus, the front end design incorporates a spindle-shaped grille contributing to efficient aerodynamics and radiator and brake duct operation. It is a key feature that will be inherited by future Lexus models.

… Another rendering of new Lexus GS coming from Japan

Following the unveiling of the LF-Gh concept (earlier post), I reckon that this rendering shouldn't be far from the real thing, although I would expect the grille looking a bit different.

Interior of all-new Lexus GS revealed

The all-new Lexus GS is only a few weeks ago, as it's going to make its official debut in August. Until then, the interior has been fully revealed. It looks now closer in design philosophy to the one of the CT. 

Lexus officially reveals all-new GS

Lexus has finally revealed today the all-new GS at Pebble Beach. The design language applied is what you will see also on future Lexus models and I have to admit that a lot of details have been toned down compared to the concept. The rear end seems to me as the most conservative part of the design, but apparent from that, it's dynamic, yet it remains elegant.

The chassis is all new and power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 306 hp. The driver can select between three different driving modes - ECO, Normal and Sport S/S+. The Sport S+ mode tightens also the steering, loosens the stability control and stiffens up the suspension. In terms of dimensions, the new model hasn't grown up.

New Lexus GS: Driving Performance Video

How the all-new Lexus GS was rescued...

Probably you have read the rumours posted in the past regarding the fate of the GS successor... the one that was just presented. Toyota was apparently ready to abandon the project, but Lexus' regional management teams really fought for it! The inside story has now been published and you can read it below.

Eighteen months ago, Toyota had all but scrapped its plans for the redesigned Lexus GS 350 sedan that was unveiled here last week.

At the time, the company was pouring engineering resources into resolving its unintended acceleration crisis and was busy changing quality and safety procedures. Plus, the GS' underwhelming sales in the United States and Europe made for a weak business case against the Mercedes E class and BMW 5 series.

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda had put the GS on the chopping block, but a last-ditch effort from U.S. and European executives saved the car. In the process, the company overhauled the way Lexus executives report to top management in Japan -- giving the luxury brand a stronger voice at the highest levels of the company.

"I didn't want this car," Toyoda said at the debut of the GS, which goes on sale in early 2012. But Lexus' regional management teams "fought me like crazy."

Several top Toyota executives confirmed that the 2013 GS redesign had been as good as dead.

"There were some executives, including Akio, who thought, in terms of our priority list, that the GS should be delayed or canceled," said Andrew Coetzee, now U.S. vice president of Lexus Brand Development. He was a Lexus product planner in Japan at the time.

Coetzee says Toyoda's pessimism resulted from the many layers of Japanese executives through which Lexus' overseas managers reported. Only when Lexus' global team members appealed directly to Toyoda did the boss change his mind.

Company officials say Toyoda decided there was a flaw in the system. As part of the company's management reorganization in April, he created a new reporting structure that gives Lexus more influence.

Previously, at least four layers of r&d, sales and marketing executives in Japan separated Toyoda from overseas executives responsible for the Lexus brand. But a new Lexus Product and Market Planning Division was formed with a direct line to Toyoda.

The division is headed by Japan-based executive Karl Schlicht, who reports to managing officer Kiyotaka Ise. Ise, whose only responsibility is Lexus, reports to Toyoda.

Coetzee admitted that "things were not done well" with the current bland and bloated GS, and that the lineup was "missing something" between the entry-luxury ES and IS sedans and the flagship LS. The GS needed to represent "a premium car with premium chassis technology ... a step up in dynamics and status."

The GS has been a continual underachiever compared with the 5 series, E class and Audi A6. The current generation's sales peaked at 27,390 units in 2006, tapering off to 7,059 last year.

But the redesigned 2013 GS displays the sheet metal and interior design cues that will carry across the brand for the next several years.

"The GS may be low volume [in the past], but it is symbolic of the new Lexus," said Yoshi Inaba, CEO of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

[Source: Automotive News]