spwolf

it could be related to music you guys listen, i just came back from listening few CD's in mine, and it was kick butting ;-). Never tried LS's sytem, but RX's ML was nowhere as good.

(Cj)

A proverbial ES hybrid would be around $45K leaving no room for a downmarket GSh in the US. I've said it many times before but a downmarket GS can be offered in Europe because there would be no overlap there.

So pretty much everyone wins. Europe gets a more affordable GS300h option, and the US gets a higher performance GS500h

I8ABMR

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2009/12/1...xus-gs-rumors/

EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

That pic is the current GS rear end I think

encore888

Yes, that's the current GS in silhouette.

jruhi4

Yet another discrepancy in the online vs print edition of this Motor Trend article: The online version claims that the 4th-gen GS will be lighter than the current one due to the use of carbon fiber in its structure, while the print version states that it'll be lighter because of increased use of aluminum...

jruhi4

With Toyota already having announced that they'll be building an Auris Hybrid (essentially a rebodied Matrix) in the UK, it's hardly a stretch to picture them also offering a hybrid version of the Avensis that is also built in the same plant.

An Avensis Hybrid in the top-of-the-line T Spirit trim would be about as close to a Lexus HS as a Toyota Camry XLE V6 is to a Lexus ES 350. Surely this is why Toyota Europe turned down the HS. And Europe's lower sales volumes don't justify two such closely-placed models from Toyota and Lexus.

Rippaflow

iTrader: (4)

They should do
GS350 Entry
GSXXX with V8
GSXXX with Hybrid Powertrain
GS-F

I mean we had 300s, 400s and 430s in the second gen and 300s, 350s, 430s, 460s, 450hs. So I can't see why there can't be 4 versions

(Cj)

This brings their sources into question even more. Also the print version doesn't even mention a GS250.

That's true. I've also heard that Lexus Europe didn't want the HS because it was FWD, and they wanted to have all RWD sedans. I've also heard that it had something to do with the IS220d, but other reports are showing that the IS220 is going to be axed soon...

My point was mainly about a low end GSh (300h possibly) being sold in Europe for those that want a fuel efficient midsized LEXUS sedan at a reasonable price. The fact that it's RWD would be a plus for most Europeans .

In the US we have the HS and soon to come ESh and ISh, so there's no need for an affordable GSh.

pagemaster

Looks like these days Lexus is more concerned about selling $35-$45k cars than anything else. Just look at how many ES and RX's Lexus is selling.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i can never seem to understand your logic. there are also a lot of c and 3 around, what's your point again? do you honestly expect all manufacturers to sell more of their expensive models?

pagemaster

My point is. Lexus sells way more cheaper cars than they ever did in the past. The IS250, HS, ES and RX account for a much bigger percentage of the sales than Lexus had before. People were willing to pay a premium a higher end Lexus like the GS. Moving the GS down in price is the right thing to do for Lexus if they want gain sales with the GS as the current GS is too overpriced....Same thing goes with Mercedes and BMW...not sure if the US has the 1 series or B class but we do here in Canada, those are some entry level cars.

Toyota has made it cheaper than ever before to get into a Lexus.

Lexus used to sell a lot more expensive models compared to their cheaper models...today, the cheaper models far, far outsell the more exensive ones.

pagemaster

[QUOTE]GS350 and GS460 compete more with the Hyundai Genesis and Infiniti M35/45 than 5 series.

spwolf

you are making no sense... thats like saying that IS and GS can not share engines together.

Difference between base GS and ES is 10k... difference between ESh and GSh with same equipment would be the same.

Mister Two

Exactly, which is why the HS and the ESh can coexist too IMO.