Lexus GS Review: 2011 Model | GS | Car Buyers Guide

Ever one to push the boundaries on the luxury hybrid front, Lexus launched its new concept car, the LF-Gh, at the New York Auto Show in April. The abbreviated title stands for 'Lexus Future Grand touring Hybrid', and the styling paves the way for the next generation of the GS saloon.

The concept car sports the Japanese firm's 'L-Finesse' design strategy, which was first seen on the LF-S concept in 2003. That's convenient, as the bodywork of the current GS was inspired by the LF-S concept - sound confusing? All it really means is that history is repeating itself. A new GS is on the horizon - it's due this autumn - and the LF-Gh in our pictures is the closet thing to it so far.

Where the outgoing GS has a soft and dated face, the LF-Gh is far more aggressive. The huge, jutting air intake and jagged headlights housing glowing blue neon lamps are not dissimilar to Lexus' recent LFA supercar and sure to turn a few heads.

At 4,890mm long, 1,870mm wide and 1,450mm tall, the LF-Gh is 40mm longer, 50mm wider and 20mm taller than the current GS. So it's a reasonable assumption that the forthcoming GS will be altogether larger than its predecessor.

Despite the swept-back, hatchback-style look of the outgoing GS, it's strictly a four-door saloon. That's yet another area where the LF-Gh concept differs, as it sports a more traditional saloon profile, with a longer, though shapely, boot. This suggests that Lexus' designers could be retreating to a more typical saloon car profile for the next GS.

Inside there's a long, glossy, hockey-stick style centre piece for the dash and some back leather trim with white stitching around the dial pod. Suffice to say, the forthcoming GS will be a classy thing, but Lexus says that the LF-Gh only seats four passengers - could the new GS go the same way and trade-in practicality over style?  

Another area of contention is exactly what's powering the LF-Gh concept. We know that it's rear-wheel drive and that it's a hybrid, but that's no surprise, as the company is now committed to producing hybrid-only cars. The most likely outcome is that the LF-Gh - and the forthcoming GS - will be powered by a revised and more efficient version of the existing GS 450h's hybrid system, with a V6 petrol engine.

The current GS 450h emits 179- or 180g/km of CO2 depending on the spec level, which is impressive for a large car. It's still speculation at this stage, but if both concept and production car are to have the eco credentials to match their looks, then they'll need to fall below the 150g/km mark, which would drop them into Motor Tax Band C under current regulations. They'll also need to stick it out on the power front if they're to keep up with rivals. No less than the current GS's 341bhp is acceptable - if not a little more. Buyers will have to wait until the autumn to see if the new car can cut the mustard.

Lexus LF-Gh