Lexus To Debut New GS 200t At Pebble Beach

Lexus has announced that it will be debuting the new Lexus GS 200t at this weekend’s opening of the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in California. It will be the third Lexus model to feature the all-new 8AR-FSE 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, after the NX 200t, RX 200t, IS 200t and RC 200t.

Although this is technically a mid-life cycle update rather than a full model change (Lexus’s speak for an all-new generation model), the new GS is significantly different from the outgoing model.

Apart from the introduction of a new GS 200t, the entire GS line-up including the 3.5-litre V6 GS 350, the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid GS 450h and 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid GS 300h has been thoroughly revised inside and outside.

The GS’s signature spindle grille is now made bolder, finished with satin chrome trim and flanked by a set of new Bi-LED headlamps.

The new front bumper looks really mean, while the front fenders are also new.

We especially love the dark-tinted LED tail lamps, which now features a new LED-tube light pattern. Nicely played, Lexus. Very nicely played.

Interior trim selections now includes laser cut wood, Matte Walnut, Linear 3D and Naguri aluminium for the F Sport model. New interior and leather colors include Chateau and Noble Brown, while the F SPORT adds Rioja Red to the available choices. The analog clock located in the centre of the dash is housed in a single ingot of aluminum and uses LED indicators.

The Remote Touch Interface (RTI) has also been upgraded, similar to those used by newer Lexus models like the new IS, RC and all-new NX and RX.   

Unlike the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive (not available in Malaysia) NX 200t, the same 8AR-FSE engine is mounted longitudinal, north-south orientation in the GS 200t, which is available either as a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive transmission.

The GS 200t produces 245PS and 350Nm of torque with a claimed fuel economy of 7.9-litres/100 km. The GS 350 produces produces 317PS and 380Nm.

The GS 350 model can also be specified with an all-wheel drive transmission, which features an electronically controlled centre differential provides a normal 30:70 torque split, with the rear-wheel bias favouring handling agility. The system reacts instantaneously to alter the split to as much as 50:50, depending on driving conditions.

Both the GS 200t and GS 350 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission while the hybrid GS 450h and GS 300h uses a planetary gearset (no pulleys) E-CVT transmission.

F Sport models (available in all GS models, depending on market) also include Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).

The new GS 200t is expected to arrive in Malaysia early next year.