2012 Lexus GS 350 coming to Australia Q2 2012

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By Tim Beissmann | August 19th, 2011

The Lexus GS 350 has been unveiled ahead of its launch in Australia around the middle of next year.

Lexus Australia CEO, Tony Cramb, told CarAdvice the GS 350 would arrive in Australia in the first half of next year, pointing to a local showroom debut in around May/June 2012.

Mr Cramb confirmed an all-new variant – the Lexus GS 350 F Sport – would be unveiled at SEMA in Los Angeles in November, and said this variant was “likely” to launch alongside the standard GS 350 in Australia.

He also confirmed the all-new GS hybrid, set to replace the outgoing GS 450h, would be revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13. This model will also hit local showrooms in 2012, although it will be sometime after the GS 350 in the second half of the year.

Mr Cramb said the new range would not include a V8 model, however. He said Lexus’s designers and engineers were confident the standard GS 350 was powerful enough to make a V8 redundant, and also offered drastic advantages in fuel consumption and emissions.

Judging by the specs, they’re probably right. The Lexus GS 350 will be powered by the 3.5-litre all-alloy V6 from the IS 350. In the GS 350, it produces 233kW of power and 376Nm of torque, which Lexus estimates will lead to a 0-100km/h sprint of just 5.7 seconds.

The outgoing GS 300 – with its 183kW/310Nm 3.0-litre V6 and 7.2-second acceleration time – pales in comparison. The new GS 350 also promises to be quicker that the GS 460 V8, which sprints to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.

At 4849mm long, 1839mm wide, 1455mm high and with a wheelbase of 2852mm, the all-new Lexus GS is 1mm shorter, 19mm wider, 25mm taller and has a 2mm wider wheelbase than the previous model. The biggest dimensional change is to the track, which is 40mm wider at the front and almost 50mm wider at the rear, promising a more poised stance and enhanced cornering ability.

Like in the IS 350, the engine is teamed to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission with paddle shifters and features from the IS F, including faster shifts and downshift throttle blips.

It also incorporates four driving modes, selected via the new Lexus Drive Mode toggle. Along with Normal mode, drivers can select from ECO, SPORT S, and SPORT S+, which vary everything from the seat heater settings to the suspension and stability control calibration.

The interior offers a more driver-focused layout and more space and comfort for passengers. Driver visibility is improved, while rear-seat passengers now enjoy added head-, leg- and knee-room and more foot space than in the outgoing model.

Boot space has also increased almost 25 per cent, up from 430 litres to approximately 535 litres.

The cabin integrates a number of innovative new features.

The S-Flow climate control system uses the occupant detection system to direct airflow only at the occupied seats.

Lexus’ next generation of Remote Touch also debuts in the GS 350, bringing together controls for all of the vehicle’s major interior functions.

The highlight is the world-first 12.3-inch (312mm) split-screen high-resolution multimedia display. The screen is large enough for multiple functions to be viewed at once.

The DVD- and Bluetooth-compatible audio system features 5.1 Surround Sound, while an 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson system will be available as an option.

Safety is another strong suit, with the GS 350 scoring 10 airbags (dual front, side, rear side, curtain and front knee).

The pre-collision system in the new GS scans the road ahead, and also scans the driver’s eyes to see if they are looking forward. If their eyes are elsewhere, the system will deliver a warning of impending collision earlier than it normally would. If the driver does not brake within two seconds of an impending collision, the brakes are applied to lessen the impact.

Expect the full specifications and pricing details to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s Australian launch around the middle of next year.

JSTTRS

What a boring, lame and ugly car.

You’ve out-done yourself once again lexus – cool

bert

You have got to be kidding me!!!!!! Stick to your holden camira housy!

Alexander

I actually think it looks great! Lexus did well considering the CT200h isnt exactly pretty, it’s almost as sexy as the LS.
Jake Williams

It’s actually really good looking, particularly the front! It’s very nice! Diesels, 4-cylinder versions, a wagon and a V8 would be nice but of course it’s early days. Well done Lexus, a nice car for once!

Baddass

I really like it, definitely a Lexus.
http://www.myspace.com/steve_poyza Steven Poyser

I really don’t think we’ll be seeing a diesel. Hybrids, on the other hand, yes.

Alexander

Lexus confirmed a GS250 (probably a 2.5ltr V6), a GS350 and GS450h (250kw V6 and an estimated 6.0l/100km) and has confirmed a diesel for next year. Like the IS200d i reckon it will be euro-only.

Lachy

The rear looks like a Kia Optima, and the front like a Lexus IS250 that has been in an accident.

Who in their right mind would buy this over a Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or the new Audi A6? It just makes no sense.
Bimmerc

Glad to see its clock is analogue, and it feel much much more up-market, no more toyota-ish digital clock.
zandit

Hmmm, wonder if that pre-collision system works if you are wearing prescription or sun glasses.
Krish

I like it! Nice step up from the old GS and RWD with a decent 6 cylinder is not a bad thing by any means.
Daniel

Well I really like Lexuses, so this is pretty disappointing to me. It looks boring and it continues a stereotype that they look like posh Toyotas. And the back looks scarily close to the Hyundai i45, to me anyway. They do seem to have done a nice job of the interior but where the concept was interesting with its nice clean lines and minimal design, this is just boring and certainly not enough to detract me from an XF or a 5 Series.

Hasib

Agreed Daniel. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Also would like to add that the front looks like the camry with LED Daylights and a body kit. As a Lexus lover, hugely dissapointed.
Hasib

Agreed Daniel. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Also would like to add that the front looks like the camry with LED Daylights and a body kit. As a Lexus lover, hugely disappointed.

Mike

I’m gonna have to second that. The front end looks like a done up version of the new camry, and the back end looks like a mix between the optima/i45, all wrapped up with the obligatory cheesy looking analog clock inside. Not impressed.

Gary

Hyundai i45 side and rear
subeylover

Very generic Lexus styling – noticed how BMW 3,5,7 series and Audi A4, A6, A8 all appear similar in shape but slightly different in size only? Same thing here with Lexus – GS is now just an upsized IS – anyone want fries with that?
HJP

Major step up from the predecessor. Glad they replaced the 80′s style digital clock with upmarket analog clock. Hopefully the next IS will follow suit. One day I’ll get this car.
LL

I’m am a bigger Lexus fan than ever before. It’s a fantastic looking car! The best since the LFA. It’s a nice fresh design. The car looks good on both inside and out. Lexus has actually listened to criticisms and responded accordingly. Fantastic! Great work so far. The more pressing issue however, will it be dynamic and fun to drive? I really hope it does well on the road, then they can have a chance of competing against the Teutonic Brothers.
vrx26

That protruding transmission tunnel in the rear would make it less comfortable for those sitting in the rear middle seat, why can’t they engineer it in such a way that it will not impede on too much space. It’s a similar thing in the IS. Otherwise another generic Lexus design.

Dan

Most/all RWD cars have that.

Nick

Looks good….. will trade my current Audi A6 for this. Is the 3.5l unit the most powerful in its class? I cannot think of any other units that provides 233kw and 376nm.

http://www.facebook.com/leong.jon Jonathan Leong

There’s the Infiniti’s 3.7 V6 on the IPL G Coupe with 348 hp (260 kW / 353 PS) and 276 lb-ft (374 Nm) of torque.

http://www.facebook.com/leong.jon Jonathan Leong

A non-IPL tune 3.7 on the M37 comes with 235 kw (320 ps)and 360 Nm of torque.

http://www.facebook.com/leong.jon Jonathan Leong

We all know the GS450h Will replace the 460 v8.
What about the GS250? I read on Autocar that They are bringing it in at Europe. Are they bringing it here?
Ox

Im not sure that the display screen in the dash is big enough
Dnaa

It looks very nice.. Specially the interior..

The Aurion engine is 3.5l and is silky silky smooth and quiet, will this use that one?..

But anyway Lexus are known for their subtle and understated elegence..
Handsome Al

OK now please update the IS series.. Can’t wait to see the big improvement in interior department.. Please get rid of that digital clock or at least make it fancy or something..
hyundai

thought that was an i45 from the back

Rachet

Hyundai copied the back from the Lexus IS..

Heyo

Damn that’s a very nice watch..

Overall the interior is very nicely done..
http://www.myspace.com/steve_poyza Steven Poyser

I’m waiting for Camry-Lover to say something…
Bill

This will sell very well in Cakifornia.. Currently the LS outsells the GS..
Commentator

I quite like it, it’s like a Lexus version of the previous generation BMW 5 Series on the out side and a little on the inside.
Jack

looks like an i45 from behind
iNoob

I’m all for Lexus – but I’m not sure this will sell much in Brisbane unfortunately. It’s been made a little more conservative than what the concept looked like.

Concept had stance and presence – this I hate to say, is just a prestige camry

Vibe

Why Brisbane? I see a ton of IS…s (plural?) around the place, admittedly less than Ze Chermans, but still a fair few. And the dealership being along Moggill Road was a smart move, the Kenmore and Brookfield crowd love their RX’s.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1715760895 Charles Dean

Sydney I see many Lexus, I’ve stared to see lexus LS460′s on a weekly basis now.. Last time I saw 3 LS460′s and 1 LS600hl in one day..

KD

ITS HIDEOUS!!!

First the ugly CT and now this abomination! WTF was Toyota thinking?!
AndyGF

“He said Lexus’s designers and engineers were confident the standard GS 350 was powerful enough to make a V8 redundant” -Quote

V8 > 233Kw… that V6, a V8 don’t make.

Its the same old story, again and again… The Japanese Manufacturers just keep on retreating, taking away more and more all while asking for premium prices.

This thing wont be worrying any of lex’is competition, especially after all that hype! I was wondering if lexus had finally decided to take the uber-saloon market seriously, could have guessed.

AndyGF

And that clock, what were they thinking! Im sure I saw Xibit or whatever his name on pimp-my-ride sticking one of those onto their Rolls-Royce rip-off…

Phil

Wow 233kW of power and 376Nm of torque from a NA 3.5L V6 is very impressive. I don’t like the rear end but would probably look better in the flesh like most Lexus.
Bill

Yeah that power is impressive..

It’s a Lexus so it’s high quality premium car..

The interior looks awesome
Henry

What happend to the split Lights?
Kev

Looks good, but conservative. Understandable since the concept looked like a pedestrian shredder, no way design requirements will allow it… not yet anyways.

Whats with Hyundai/Kia lovers?

Not only in CA, but in Autoblog and other sites… its like Koreans all over just post hate posts about any cars not Hyundai and Kia.

Comparing every new car to the Sonata/i45 and Optima…

its pathetic.

Because any non biased person can see that it was Hyundai and Kia that ripped off design elements from previous Lexus and Audi…

Things will go back to normal, when the new models from the japanese brands get released and fair comparisons come out.
GtI

Not that this looks bad, but why do Lexus look so different in the road then photos..

Like all Lexus look much better in reality then photos.. Pictures don’t do Lexus any justice..
FWQ

The signature GS quad lights are gone. That’s my only disappointment.
I Want One

Great looking car – it has some of the design cues of the original IS model which is one of the best looking cars I have seen – 10/10 Lexus…now bring on the GS-F.
bert

Well done LEXUS great looking car.
Lazza

Well done Lexus. Looks great at all angles with yet room for aggressive styling in an F series.

Lexus will fully option this thing and still be considerably cheaper than the Germans here. Quality is on par if not better in some cases and Lexus are taking a more aggressive marketing campaign for brand awareness and are also focusing on high powered F models across the range to help with that.

Lexus will be a brand to watch for our local market in the next couple of years.
mulgoan

any one have a price range the 350 would be in?