First hint at new Lexus GS 14 | 04 | 2011

THIS IS THE FIRST look at how the new Lexus GS will look, though the car pictured is actually a hybrid concept which will make its debut at the New York motor show next week.

Labelled the Lexus LF-Gh (Lexus Future Grand touring Hybrid), the company says the new concept indicates the direction of its new L-Finesse design philosophy. Insiders hint strongly that the next-generation GS will draw heavily on the latest show car’s looks.

Certainly the new GS promises to have a more aggressive look if it mirrors the styling of the LF-Gh; just take a look at the deeply scalloped air intakes in the front bumper.

The concept is 40mm longer, 50mm wider and 20mm taller than the current GS — that's 4890mm long, 1870mm wide and 1450mm high — and it has a more saloon-like appearance.

Other design features include sharply creased side skirts, intricate tail-lights, subtle fin vents at the rear and a small rear diffuser. Cabin details are scarce, but Lexus says it will seat four passengers.

The Japanese company is remaining tightlipped on the LF-Gh's powertrain, apart from stating that it is a hybrid; oh, and it's rear-wheel-drive. It's likely it will use a modified, more efficiency version of the GS450h’s hybrid drive set-up, based on a V6 petrol motor.

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Jim McGill