Lexus has launched its new GS 450h onto the Irish Market, with prices commencing from €59,950 for the Executive Grade model, which goes on sale today. Lexus Ireland expect the Executive grade to account for 75 – 80 per cent of sales. The remainder of sales will come from the F SPORT grade priced from €72,950 and the Premium model with prices starting from €76,250. After a short drive in the Executive model it’s clear to see why this will be the volume seller. It comes suitably equipped with a host of items as standard, just some of these include a leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, interior ambient lighting, cruise control, climate control, a 3.5” colour multi-information display, an 8” colour central display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, rain sensing wipers, 17” alloys and active brake lights. Also included is a multitude of driver aids and safety systems, which include ten airbags, Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats with active headrests, ABS, BAS, ECB-R, EPB, EPS, TRC, VSC and Hill-start Assist.
The F SPORT model comes complete with its own distinctive aggressive styling package. It sits on 19” wheels with a sports-tuned suspension setup and comes with interior details such as the unique leather upholstery that’s exclusive to the F SPORT grade. The high-end Premium model benefits from added luxuries such as an illuminated LCD panel for rear seat occupants to adjust their heating and ventilation settings. The electronic climate control features nanoe® technology, which releases negatively charged ions wrapped in water molecules, these provide a fresher more pleasant cabin. The interior features increased space for front and rear seat occupants, the front occupant’s gain an extra 30mm of headroom whilst headroom has been increased by 25mm in the rear and rear seat knee room has improved by 20mm over its predecessor. As a result of the repositioning of the hybrid battery the luggage volume has seen a significant 60 per cent increase, something the previous GS was rightly criticised for.
Powering all three editions is the combination of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is mated to an electric motor. It’s powerful with 345hp and 352Nm of torque available, this power is transferred to the rear wheels via an Electronic-Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). Lexus has developed its second generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system which is present in this GS 450h, the benefits are clear to see with significant savings in fuel consumption and an increase in power output. It will return a combined fuel consumption of 6.0l/100km and emit 139g/km of CO2, placing it in Band B with an annual road tax fee of €225. The F SPORT and Premium models are seated in Band C with 145g/km and 141g/km of CO2 respectively. On the road the GS 450h is refined and extremely comfortable for both driver and passengers. The engine whispers along through traffic, and yet at the push of the accelerator it fires into life capable of surging the car forward at a fair rate of speed. This new Lexus GS 450h has a real sense of luxury and occasion about it, something that will no doubt attract customers who wish to drive something that’s a bit rarer to a BMW or an Audi.
