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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

21/11/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Lexus has just announced that they’re adding to the GS family with a GS 250 variant, revealed ahead of its global premiere at the 2011 Guangzhou Motor Show. No pricing was announced with the reveal, but it will go on sale starting June 2012 and it appears to not have any significant aesthetic changes compared to the GS 350.

Under the hood however, the GS 250 will feature a 2.5L V6 with 206-hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. It’ll be mated to a 6-speed sequential-shift ECT-i automatic gearbox. With its lack of power comes an impressive 31.7-mpg, which is fairly impressive for a luxury sedan in today’s market. Buyers will be able to choose between Eco, Normal and Sport S driving modes, while those that opt for the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension, an Sport S+ driving mode will also be available. Lexus has not yet announced whether the GS250 will be sold in our market.

GALLERY: Lexus GS 250

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20/11/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Looking to compete against BMW’s 520d and Audi’s A6 2.0 TDI, Lexus is flexing its hybrid muscles and developing a smaller hybrid engine for its new-generation GS. Given its success in building and selling hybrid engines and models, it’s no surprise that Lexus is looking to add a smaller h-variant for the European market, which will also be getting the GS450h and GS250 upon release.

The North American market will receive a GS350 and GS Hybrid, along with the high-performance GS F Sport, so it’s unknown whether or not we’ll see the smaller hybrid engine. Chances are though, Europe will get a smaller, more affordable four-cylinder powerplant with around 180-hp. Lexus is looking to be competitive with BMW’s 520d, aiming to get around 50-mpg.

Lexus confirms that a decision is around the corner regarding the smaller hybrid engine and that an announcement should be made prior to GS’ launch in the UK next summer.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS350

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[Source: AutoExpress]

12/09/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Lexus is introducing a world’s first with their 2013 GS 450h, boasting the first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system in a front engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The hybrid version of the 2013 GS made its official debut at Frankfurt Motor Show packing 338-hp with a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.

Fuel consumption numbers are not official yet, but Lexus expects the 450h to be over 30-percent more efficient than its predecessor and is targeting SULEV II certification. There will also be five driving modes available to the hybrid luxury enthusiast, Normal, Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV.

Exclusive to the hybrid model of the GS is a unique three-lamp design, aligning the turn signal with Lexus’ first high and low beam LED lamps in a single horizontal row. And of course, Lexus will employ its blue hybrid badging on the vehicle. The GS450h will also come standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch rollers as an option.

Much of the interior and safety features will match those previously announced on the GS 350 model.

No pricing was announced on the GS 450h.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS 450h

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25/08/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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After the reveal of the all-new 2013 GS350 at Pebble Beach, Lexus is soon planning to unveil both the F Sport and 450h variants.

The 450h will be Lexus’ attempt at delivering V8 performance with a hybrid 3.5L V6 powerplant. While we can’t see any styling changes in these teasers, we anticipate there to be some slight changes – possibly to enhance aerodynamics – but Lexus is staying true to its hybrid branding by including blue-themed badges on the 450h.

The F Sport version will deliver a more aggressive design with F Sport badging and 19-inch wheels. Also look for a more performance-tuned suspension setup, as well as upgraded brakes and some minor interior trim upgrades.

The GS450h will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with the GS F-Sport set to be unveiled at the SEMA Show.

GALLERY: Lexus GS F Sport and 450h Teasers

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GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS350

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Watch video of the all-new 2013 Lexus GS after the jump:

Continue Reading…

18/08/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

And now, drumroll, please…at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Lexus has unveiled the all-new GS350,with sharper styling and sportier handling.

The new GS is wider than the outgoing four-eyed model, as befitting an entirely new platform that is even more rigid but stays within the same size. Lexus engineers focused on making the car more aerodynamic, with carefully-designed trunklids and bumpers to make sure air gets tamed as it passes above and below. Lexus says the Gs features a class-leading coefficient of drag, but declined giving any numbers.

From the outside, it certainly looks new: gone are the wide-eyed, mismatched headlights and baleen grille, exorcised for more aggressive knife edges and angles. It’s an evolution of Lexus’s L-Finesse styling that blatantly takes its cues from the supercar LF-A. Lexus now calls the new chrome-speared grille a “spindle grille,” whatever that means. But from the side, the GS sharply mimics its LS older brother, and manages to look more purposeful at the same time: 17-inch wheels are standard as well, with the option of going up to 19 inches.

Under the hood, the Ss350 gets for a base engine a 3.5-liter V6, good for 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. In order to stay competitive with the Infiniti M, however, expect larger V8 engines to make it into the fold. A six-speed sequential automatic puts this power to the ground, through the rear wheels as well as an available all-wheel drive system. All of this is good for a 0-60 sprint of 5.7 seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 142 mph.

Inside, one can expect all of the leather and wood accoutrements as expected of Lexus, with some trick energy-saving technologies: an automatic climate control system Lexus calls S-Flow, which detects the number and position of its occupants, and directs airflow only to them. Despite keeping the same dimensions, cabin space has increased with more head- and legroom both in front and back. And good news for those home-improvement types: trunk space has increased by 25%, and doors now open even wider than before.

Technology? The Gs gets a central touchscreen that controls DVD audio and video capability, MP3, Bluetooth, Gracenote, HD and satellite radio, 5.1 Surround Sound, a text-to-speech feature for those distracted types, and Lexus Enform, which hooks owners up with Facebook, Pandora, Yelp, stock quotes, movie tickets and dinner reservations, and Bing Internet search. An optional 10-channel, 835-watt Mark Levinson system with 7.1 Surround Sound and 17 speakers is available.

The new Gs should keep Lexus competitive with its main target, the Infiniti M. And Lexus is banking on the likes of enthusiast drivers to take a look at the Gs: whether this is a successful move on their part, we’ll only know from a first drive. Stay tuned to Autoguide for that soon.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS350

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Watch video from the Pebble Beach unveiling after the jump:

Continue Reading…

15/08/2011 | By: Harry Lay

Lexus is set to launch its next-gen GS at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, and the vehicle will feature a much smaller engine. Reports from Thailand say that the new model will have an available smaller 2.5-liter V6 engine, along with bigger six cylinder engines. The smaller engine will mean the Japanese automaker can better compete with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class.

For the last twenty years, the GS’s smallest engine was the 3.0-liter, but for efficiency reasons, it’s time for change. The engine choice allows Lexus to evade Thailand’s maximum excise tax of fifty percent for cars with more than 220-hp (GS300 has 229). The smaller Lexus IS already uses a 2.5-liter V6 so implementing the engine into the bigger GS will not be an issue. It has not been confirmed as to whether GS250 will be available in North America so we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed. With gas prices the way they are, the GS250 would be an attractive option if looking for a fuel efficient luxury car.

[Source: Paul Tan]

28/07/2011 | By: Harry Lay

For over a decade now, Lexus has been the most popular luxury brand in the U.S, but the Toyota-owned company has struggled in the European market due to a lack of diesel engines.

Lexus hopes to change this in the coming years as a diesel option becomes available for the next-gen GS model. Lexus will remain focused on its hybrid offerings, but recognizes the importance of diesel engines in the European market. Lexus currently offers a diesel engine on the IS to the European market, but this will change with the launch of the new GS sedan in 2013.

Lexus will continue to offer the GS with a 3.5-liter gas-electric hybrid and an entry level 2.5-liter V6 but the diesel will help the company compete with BMW’s 520d. The next-gen GS is expected to debut this September at the Frankfurt auto show.

[Source: AutoCar]

08/09/2010 | By: Jason Siu

We were huge fans of G Sports’ Mark X Sports Concept back at Tokyo Auto Salon and are glad that those lucky photographers and writers out in Japan got a chance to see it up close and personal. Dino Dalle Carbonare is no stranger to AutoGuide, having worked with us back in the Modified Mag days and has reported on the Toyota Mark X from G Sports’ over at SpeedHunters.

Just as we assumed, Gazoo Racing’s variation of the Mark X is built off the 350S version of the Mark X that sports the 3.5L V6 powerplant in our American-based IS350 and GS350. None of the performance has been altered in their concept, so it still sports a modest 318-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque.

But the aggressive exterior styling is what has us loving this car. The front end is just menacing, and the contrasting carbon fiber shade is a nice touch. Subtle yet functional carbon fiber hood outlets are awesome along with the vents on the rear bumper. There’s even more carbon fiber in the rear diffuser.

It’s worth noting that the interior sports suede-clad Recaro seats full of red accent stitching and tons of carbon fiber accents.

What’s just most exciting about all of this is how Gazoo Racing will help bring Toyota back to the spotlight with its performance-based models and hopefully we’ll be seeing G Sports out in America one day.

Check out many more pics of the G Sports Toyota Mark X sports Concept at the link below:

[Source: SpeedHunters]

Tokyo Auto Salon 2010: G’s Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept

Toyota shows off another FT-86 Concept

14/01/2010 | By: Jason Siu

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Toyota has recently announced its G Sports conversion car series that will be sold through Toyota-brand dealers in Japan throughout 2010. These G’s series vehicles are designed for owners interested in having a unique vehicle and several of them took center stage at Toyota’s booth at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon. We have heard plenty about Toyota’s FT-86 and the company’s G’s version stole the show. Dozens gathered around the car during exclusive media hours in order to see it up close and personal. Plenty of carbon fiber accents can be seen on this extremely stylish and polished design, making this FT-86 Concept even more impressive than the original.

Along with the standard carbon fiber goodies, there’s a vented carbon fiber hood and a massive rear spoiler. We also noticed an aggressive new exhaust setup.

With this concept Toyota continues to build interest in the FT-86, which is believed will head to production shortly. The car is rumored to be powered by a 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine with Toyota heads, delivering around 200-hp. Toyota is hoping this model will be a hit with enthusiasts, tuners and help get a younger demographic into its showrooms.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept

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GALLERY: Toyota GT-86 G Sports Concept Official Pics

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