2013 Lexus GS: official details, photos and specs

After we saw some spy shots, the all-new 2013 Lexus GS was finally unveiled today at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. As expected, the vehicle is clearly inspired by the Lexus LF-Gh Concept unveiled back in April at the 2011 New York Auto Show and features a new bold spindle grille (which will be seen on future Lexus models), a redesigned chassis as well as a more spacious interior environment. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle features a wider track, by 40mm at the front and 50mm at the rear, which works in combination with the revised suspension in order to deliver a more assured stance and superior cornering performance.

Moreover, the use of aluminum reduces unsprung weight and results in significantly improved agility, ride comfort, body control and steering precision. Regarding the design, we can say that the 2013 Lexus GS is a major step forward for the Japanese manufacturer. From the side, the new GS shows the image of a spacious performance saloon with a road-hugging stance while the lower door sills and the short front overhang give the vehicle a sense of motion. The rear end of the vehicle shows a new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser and a new L-shaped LED tail lamps. Even the paint technology for the new GS was developed in order to make the car more noticeable, and the manufacturer promises new colors featuring glass flakes incorporated into the coating that add a high level of brilliance to the paint.

Regarding the interior, this new GS creates a balance between the luxury, technological amenity and emotional design. The interior was designed around the drive and offers more space, increasing the comfort for both front and rear passengers. Some of the standard features of the interior are the redesigned seat frames, revised door openings, increased luggage capacity, a new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow (which uses the occupant-detection system to focus airflow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated, a first-in-class technology) as well as the next-gen Remote Touch with one-push confirmation as standard on all models. Furthermore, the cabin offers new white LED lights which illuminate the areas around the doors, centre console and footwells. A new analogue clock is available, carved from an ingot.

Some of the standard features available on the 2013 Lexus GS are the class-leading 10 airbags, the new Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats and seatbelts with pretensioners. Some of the systems that can be ordered as an option are the pre-collision system, a new Night Vision System, Head-Up Display (HUD), a Blind Spot Monitor that helps detect vehicles in rear/side blind spots and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW).The next-generation Lexus multimedia comes with new standard entertainment and connectivity enhancements such as enhanced Bluetooth capability with automatic phonebook download and streaming audio, DVD audio and video compatibility, MP3 sound enhancement, 5.1 Surround Sound, and a high-resolution eight-inch central control display centrally located high up in the instrument panel. The models fitted with the navigation system will have an industry-first 12.3-inch high-resolution multi-media screen. For those who want even more, Lexus will offer you the optional 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, which provides 7.1 Surround Sound through 10 channels using a new class D Digital amplifier and efficient Green Edge speakers.

The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6 (four cams, and four valves per cylinder with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)) capable to deliver 306 hp. The engine can push the car from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 5.7 seconds , and from 30 to 50 mph in 3.0 seconds. Moreover, the engine is mated to a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, and the car offers paddle shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment.

"In addition to the Normal mode, the following settings let the driver customize the driving experience: ECO mode revises throttle mapping, seat heating, and climate control systems for better fuel economy. In ECO mode, meter lighting changes to blue. SPORT S mode revises throttle mapping and transmission shifting priorities to fully exploit the capabilities of the powertrain. In SPORT S mode, meter lighting changes to red. SPORT S+ mode (available on some models) engages handling enhancements via a sport setting of the adaptive variable suspension, steering system, and vehicle stability control (VSC) together with the powertrain enhancements of SPORT S mode." said the press release.[via - 4wheelsnews]

photo : 2013 Lexus GS