Lexus unveils GS250, debut will be in China

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Lexus has unveiled the Lexus GS 250 sedan, which will add to the Lexus lineup of GS sedans. The World Premiere of Lexus GS 250 will be at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in China which begins today.

Powering the Lexus GS 250 will be a 2.5-liter V6 gas engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing. Maximum output is an estimated 206bhp at 6,400rpm. The car accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds, and has a top seed of 142mph. Fuel economy is estimated to be an impressive 31.7mpg average.

The V6 engine is matched to Lexus’s Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent six-speed automatic transmission, with a sequential manual shift function. The system delivers fast shift speeds, earlier torque converter lock-up and downshift throttle blips. A driver can select many different modes to suit a specific test through the GS 250’s Drive Mode Select System. Available drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport S modes, while versions equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension offer a further Sport S+ mode for even more dynamic and sporty performance.

Compared the current GS, the new model has a more spacious interior, with notably more head and legroom for rear seat passengers. It will be offered with a range of new technology features, including a 12.3-inch multimedia screen – the largest on the market. It will be available with a new S-flow air conditioning system with nanoe air purifying technology, and a new Mark Levinson audio system with up to 17 speakers.

The new GS delivers excellent driving dynamics, due in part to a bodyshell that is 14 percent more rigid that previous Lexus vehicles. Safety features will include Lexus’s advanced Pre-Crash Safety system, combined with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, and a series of other systems designed to reduce the risk of an accident, including Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Lexus Night View.

No pricing has been announced for the Lexus GS 250. It is scheduled to gone on sale in June 2012 in the UK. No word if it will make it to the US. It will be launched in conjunction with the Lexus GS 450h. Lexus plans to build a performance variant F sport version as well. More details about the Lexus GS 250 should be announced soon.

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