2012 Lexus GS 450h is the most efficient GS ever created by the brand. It includes an advanced petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain which will contribute the model to become of the most efficient vehicles in its class.
Thank to its unique hybrid system, the Lexus’ efficient hybrid powerplant consumes just 6.3 litres of fuel per 100km. This means in fact that the new customers will save circa twenty percent from fuel in comparison to the outgoing model. At the same the CO2 emissions have been also reduced significantly to the number of 147g/km.
The performance of this Lexus hybrid vehicle is reassured by a combined power output of 254kW. Thank to it, the 450h can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
What is more here, compared to its predecessor, the GS 450h also offers greater space and onboard technology. This is mainly due to the redesigned chassis. There is also forty-five percent more boot space which now is increase from 320 to 465 litres.
Another interesting fact here is that the GS 450h is actually the first hybrid vehicle, which comes equipped with all-wheel steering. And in particular, it is the first one to include an Atkinson cycle engine driving the rear wheels, and the first Atkinson cycle engine to feature direct and port injection.
In terms of security and safety features, there are some innovations included, such as: an advanced Pre-Collision safety System (PCS), a Driver Fatigue Monitor camera, and a complementary Adaptive Cruise Control system (ACC). The latter now operates at all speeds down to 0km/h.
Additionally, the safety suite is enhanced by a Blind Spot Monitor, which now comes as a standard to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, and an expanded Head Up Display (HUD) unit. This unit shows the road speed, cruise control, gear position, turn-by turn navigation and tachometer.
GS 450h models will be offered in three trim levels: Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury, which are expected to be launched in June this year.
2012 Lexus GS 450h Technical Specifications:
| Engine | ||
| Engine type | 2GR-FXE 3.5L V6 | |
| Capacity (cm3) | 3.456 | |
| Cylinders/valves | V6/24 | |
| Engine configuration | Atkinson cycle, six cylinders, V-formation, 24-valve, DOHC, four valves per cylinderand alloy cylinder block. Featuring direct and port injection | |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 94.0 x 83.0 | |
| Compression ratio | 13.0 | |
| Max. combined output | 254kW | |
| Max. engine output | 215kW @ 6,000rpm | |
| Max. engine torque | 352Nm @ 4,500rpm | |
| Hybrid battery | type | Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) |
| voltage | 650V | |
| Max. motor output | 147kW | |
| Max. motor torque | 275Nm | |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | Six-step E-CVT (Electronic Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission) with paddleshift | |
| Steering | ||
| Turning diameter (m@body) | 11.2, or 10.8 with rear steer | |
| Luxury | Rack and pinion, Electric Power Steering (EPS) | |
| F Sport | Rack and pinion EPS with Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Dynamic Rear Steering | |
| Sports Luxury | Rack and pinion EPS | |
| Seating capacity | ||
| No of seats | 5 | |
| Exterior dimensions (mm) | ||
| Overall length | 4,850 | |
| Width | 1,840 | |
| Height | 1,455 | |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 | |
| Interior dimensions (mm) | ||
| Front to rear couple distance | 945 | |
| Front legroom | 1,075 | |
| Rear legroom | 935 | |
| Driven wheels | ||
| Type of drive | Rear-wheel drive | |
| Wheels and tyres | ||
| Luxury | 18 x 8J alloy (F/R) Dunlop 235/45 R18 94Y (F/R) | |
| F Sport | 19 x 8J (F), 19 x 9J (R) alloy Bridgestone 235/40 R19 96Y (F) 265/35 R19 94Y (R) | |
| Sports Luxury | 18 x 8J (F/R) alloy Dunlop 235/45 R18 94Y (F/R) | |
| Brake type | ||
| Ventilated front and rear disc with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-forceDistribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Managementsystem (VDIM) | ||
| Luxury | 334 x 30mm front 310 x 18mm rear | |
| F Sport | 356 x 30mm front 310 x 18mm rear (Two-piece rotors front with four piston calipers) | |
| Sports Luxury | 334 x 30mm front 310 x 18mm rear | |
| Performance | ||
| 0 – 100km/h (s) | 5.9 | |
| Max. speed (km/h) | 250 (limited) | |
| Fuel consumption (L/100 km)* | ||
| Combined | 6.3 | |
| Urban | 6.9 | |
| Highway | 5.8 | |
| * Fuel consumption will vary depending on driving conditions/style,vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR81/02 combined cycle. | ||
| CO2 emissions (g/km) | ||
| Combined | 147 | |
Source: Lexus
Lexus also exhibits the 2012 GS 450h full hybrid at the IAA Frankfurt, this year. The premium saloon comes with an all-new exterior and interior which reflect development of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy. The bold and dynamic exterior design includes a stronger frontal treatment which gives the new GS a commanding road presence that is appropriate for a Lexus performance saloon.
