#LexusGs350

Reports are coming in that Japanese auto manufacturers are looking for ways to cut costs on vehicles being exported to the United States in order to squeeze profits due to the record high yen against the dollar. A prime example is the new GS 350 from Lexus, that has been highly anticipated and praised by the American media.

Lexus has dropped a few serious hints that it is planning a coupe version of its all-new GS350. While attending the launch of the luxury sedan (we’ll have driving impressions once the embargo lifts November 23rd) we spoke to Lexus Corporate Manager of Product Planning Ben Mitchell, pushing him for details on a possible GS-F to sit as a rival to the BMW M5.

We’re sure there are legions of fans excited to hear that the 2013 Lexus GS450h will bow at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show – maybe not.

Unveiled at Pebble Beach, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda calls the new GS “the first generation of a new Lexus.” Most obvious is an all-new design, while Lexus has also upped its game in terms of interior quality, while promising a more engaging driving experience.

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

This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, but photos of the newly restyled Lexus GS model have leaked ahead of its public debut at Pebble Beach’s Concours d’Elegance that happens this weekend. The photos come from China and if this does indeed turn out to be the new GS we get here, many will be disappointed, especially when we were treated to the LF-Gh Concept that really did a fine job blending futuristic styling with class and elegance. Instead the production model looks to be a lot more tame.

Anyone who was not comatose in 2009 remembers the Toyota unintended acceleration scandal, which saw millions of Toyota and Lexus products recalled due to what was eventually deemed to be a mismatch between floormats and the accelerator that could cause the pedal to stick.

Now, Toyota is recalling a further 2.17 million cars and trucks to remedy the issue – at least this time they’ve been vindicated by none other than NASA.

The recalled vehicles, along with the number of units, are listed after the jump, as is Toyota’s official release.

[Source: Toyota]

Lexus is looking to build up their F-Sport lineup in a similar manner to how AMG and the M Division add a performance boost to Mercedes and BMW. To get the ball rolling, Lexus is offering special pricing for a limited time on their F-Sport packages for the IS and GS350.