Lexus have announced that their new 2013 GS 350, arriving at showrooms in early February, will be no more expensive than it’s predecessor despite various improvements in terms of styling, handling, technology and interior. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) start at $46,900* for the rear-wheel drive configuration and $49,450* for the all-wheel drive one.
Lexus say they have revised the GS‘s chassis in order to enhance the driving experience with accurate response and spot on handling behavior. Inside, more room has been made while exterior dimensions remain pretty much the same.
The powertrain has also undergone a revision to improve fuel economy and power delivery. It is a 3.5 V6 unit with four camshafts and 24 valves in total governed by VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). Having both direct and port injection, this engine boasts some respectable economy figures: 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined (EPA estimated). Not bad for a luxury saloon keeping in mind that there are 306bhps under the hood which are good for a time of 5.7 seconds on a 60 mph sprint from a standstill.
That power then goes trough a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox complete with paddle shifters. That transmission will also feature some sport driving functions seen in the Lexus IS F such as earlier torque converter lockup and downshift throttle blip. Eventually drivers will be able to select four different modes of driving (ECO, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+) from the Lexus Drive Mode system.
Standard equipment is more than abundant – bi-xenon HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights and a clever climate control system which can detect when and where occupants are present so it can concentrate air-flow where needed and thus it saves energy. The list goes on as we have a next-generation Remote Touch with one-push confirmation that allows the user to operate the climate, audio and phone controls. Customers will have the chance to opt for two trim packages which are even more full of technology: Premium and Luxury
The Premium package costs an additional $1,400 which includes automatic windscreen wipers, heated/ventilated front seats and electronic rear sunshade. The Luxury package ($5,750) adds all that plus 18 inch alloy wheels, an Adaptive Variable Suspension, an Adaptive Front Lighting System. Inside the Luxury trim continues its manifest with glossy linear espresso wood ornamentation, a steering wheel wrapped in wood and leather, 18-way front driver and passenger seats with articulated back, side bolster and thigh support controls, four-way lumbar, butterfly headrests, driver and passenger seat memory, rear HVAC and audio controls and rear manual side sunshades.
If customers go for the optional navigation system on the GS they will have the pleasure to own the industry-first 12.3-inch, split-screen, high-resolution multi-media display. The screen is big enough actually to accommodate both a map and climate, audio etc. controls simultaneously. Because of it drivers can also use the latest Lexus Enform® Application Suite which offers a wide spectrum of connectivity between smart phones of various kinds and the car. Applications such as OpenTable, MovieTickets.com, Pandora®, iHeartRadio, Facebook and Yelp can all be accessed while in your car.
The performance line, the GS F SPORT will be more on the aggressive side of things with its sport bumper, rear lower valence, rear lip spoiler, unique mesh grille inserts. You will also be able to recognize it by the extensive F Sport branding and also the unique 19 inch wheels. Further on the Adoptive Variable Suspension which comes with the Luxury package is finely tuned in the F SPORT model. The ones with rear wheel drive will come with 9-inch staggered width wheels, Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and new racing grade front brakes with highly durable pads.
*An additional $875 fee for delivery, processing and handling is not included
Source: Lexus
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) along with Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI) will be taking part in the Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 with NAPAC (Japan Car Parts and Aftermarket Promotion Association) in mid January. Their main idea is to promote the refinement and convenience which comes from the peculiar BOXER type of engine (“Proud of BOXER” will be their motto). And now they have revealed their showroom line up which will feature two new concepts.
With the 5th generation of Golf GTIs, Volkswagen decided to bring back the essence of the original and iconic Golf GTI Mk 1. Anyone who has seen the the Golf GTI from the 70’s can immediately point out which genes have made it on to the Mk. 5. The red lining of the front honeycomb grille, the black side skirts, the plaid seats and a typical tachometer all give away the otherwise discrete hot hatch.
Last week we had more speculations and less facts about the forthcoming Lexus concept which will be revealed on the NAIAS in Detroit in mid January.
Prior Design have released a host of pictures of a Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Limousine w212 fitted with their PD500 aerodynamic kit. The end result? Very subtle – the package includes specially designed front and rear bumpers, two side skirts and that’s about it.
Manhart Racing has revealed the most brutal E92 3-Series, which you can imagine. After the previous project – MH3 V8R with 655PS (482 kW), the tuning company is ready with the new one – the MH3 V8 RS Clubsport.
While there is much talk about the forthcoming NAIAS, few are aware about the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon which will also be held on January 13-15 at the Makuhari Messe exhibition hall in Chiba prefecture. The organizers (Autech Japan and Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. A.K.A Nismo) promise an exciting event partly because of the showroom which is styled to look like a racetrack complete with spectator stands and everything and partly because, along with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, they have a lot of debuts to make.
The Nordschleife, the Northern Loop or quite simply the Nürburgring is the name of the notorious racing track based in Germany. Why notorious? Well, tragically many people have lost their lives along its corners. There is some silver lining to the story however, as it has also helped shape the automotive industry by providing grounds for testing, fine-tuning and refinement.