Lexus unveiled today the GS 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the US, and announced that the new model will go on sale early next year. Apart from being a new model, the Lexus GS 350 also previews the future design direction of the brand. The 350 version of the Lexus GS a luxury premium four-door sedan, offering 5 seats and measuring 4849 mm in length, 1839 mm in width and 1455 mm in height. The 350 GS is rear-wheel-drive (RWD), has a 2852 mm wheelbase and weighs 1688.6 kg.
To power the GS350, Lexus chose a 3.5-liter V6 engine with port and direct injection, which is equipped with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and four valves per cylinder.
Lexus rates the GS 350's new engine output at 233 kW (306 hp) at 6400 rpm and 376 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm. The top speed of the 350 Lexus GS is electronically limited to 230 km/h and its 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time is rated at around 5.7 seconds. Lexus also says that the GS350 is able to get from 50 to 80 km/h in just 3 seconds. Lexus equips the GS350 with a very complicated gearbox called a 6-speed sequential-shift Electronic Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
The Lexus GS350 has plenty of power, which means it also needs some powerful brakes. The GS350 comes equipped with ventilated front and rear discs with four-piston aluminum front calipers, an Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM).
In terms of design, the GS 350 features a wide, strong stance, that promises crisp and precise handling. The overall exterior styling of the GS 350 is based on the Lexus LF-Gh concept premiered back in April this year. The front grille of the GS will be the signature mark of all future Lexus models.
In comparison to the current GS version, the new 350 has a more rigid platform, thanks to an increased number of spot welds laser welds. The 350 GS has a 40mm wider track at the front and a 50mm wider one at the rear. Together with a new suspension system, the wider track gives the new GS better cornering capabilities and high speed stability.
Lexus gave the GS 350 a new suspension system, with larger bushings at the front, aluminum upper and lower control arms, a redesigned rear subframe with a multi-link rear suspension, improved geometry and shock absorbers with lighter-viscosity oil.
The distinctive design features of the Lexus GS 350 include the fins integrated into the side of the tail lamps, the trapezoidal spindle grille, the L-shaped LED daytime running lights, the tapered lower door sills and the short front overhang and the rear bumper with the integrated diffuser.
At the interior, the GS 350 offers a drive focused ambiance, with increased passenger room, a long, sculpted dashboard, a large high-resolution display screen and an energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow.
Lexus GS 350 presentation video:
Lexus GS 350 promotional clip:
Lexus GS 350 unveiling video:
The new GS comes with the next-generation Remote Touch with one-push confirmation as standard and a reversing camera. For that extra premium touch, Lexus gave the 2013 GS 350 ambient lighting, LED lights around the doors, center console and footwells and a new analogue clock.
The Lexus GS 350 comes with a long list of safety features, including 10 airbags, Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats, seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, a Night Vision System, Head-Up Display (HUD), a Blind Spot Monitor, and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and active steering torque. Lexus also fitted the GS 350 with a pre-collision system, which uses the dynamic radar cruise control system to warn the driver of possible object that might cause an accident.
An important part of any new premium model is its connectivity possibilities. The new GS model range from Lexus will offer Bluetooth with automatic phonebook download and streaming audio, DVD audio and video compatibility, MP3 sound enhancement, 5.1 Surround Sound and an 8-inch central control high-resolution display. The Lexus GS fitted with the navigation system, will feature a 12.3-inch high-resolution multi-media screen, with split-screen viewing. For the soundtrack, Lexus give the GS a 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, with 7.1 Surround Sound through 10 channels, a D Digital amplifier, and Green Edge speakers.
The 350 is just the first model in the new Lexus GS model series. It will be followed by the Lexus GS 450h full hybrid and GS 250 petrol version, together with an F-Sport version. The Lexus GS 450h will have its world debut at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt auto show next month and the GS F-Sport will debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. The details of the Lexus GS 250 will be announced later this year.
The main rivals of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 include the sedan versions of the 2011 BMW 5 Series and of the 2010 Mercedes E Class. The GS 450h will go against the BMW 5 Series Hybrid and the Mercedes E300 Bluetec Hybrid.
