Lexus GS 450h In Production

Production of the new generation Lexus GS 450 h gets underway at teh car maker’s Tahara Plant, Aichi prefecture, Japan.

Equipped with the new, bolder Lexus design identity and equipped with the second generation Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, the GS 450h is gearing up for market launch in Europe by mid-2012. The car will soon has to face tough competition as BMW and Mercedes will soon launch their own hybrid sedans into the market.

It is well prepared for the battle though. The all-new GS features a bold and dynamic exterior design giving the vehicle a powerful, commanding road presence. The refined interior features a driver-focused cockpit with advanced on-board technologies for safety and comfort. There is more space for all occupants, and significantly increased luggage space.

Lexus press release:

The GS has been designed to offer customers an engaging driving experience. It combines sharp, accurate steering and excellent body control with outstanding high speed stability and all the ride comfort appropriate to a Lexus performance sedan.

The GS 450h is the world’s first front engine rear-wheel drive premium performance sedan to be equipped with a two-motor full hybrid system featuring a V6 Atkinson cycle petrol engine with next generation D-4S direct injection technology. With a total system power output of 254 kW/345 DIN hp, the GS 450h will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption has been reduced by 23% to 5.9l/100 km, and CO2 emissions start from 137 g/km.

The new, fourth generation Lexus GS goes on sale in Europe as a three vehicle model range; the GS 250, the GS 350 AWD and the full hybrid GS 450h. Sales of the high-performance flagship GS 450h will start by mid-2012 in all European markets.

Production of the GS 250 and GS 350 AWD started in January, and these models are already launched in Japan and the USA. Consumer response is very strong – about 4,000 all-new GS have already been sold in January-February 2012. In Japan, customer orders in the first month of sales were ten times higher than the monthly sales plan. In the USA, year-to-date sales of GS are four times higher than last year. The GS 350 AWD will be launched in March in Russia and the GS 250 by mid-2012 in selected markets across Europe.