Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept Points Towards Next Generation Lexus GS Styling
The Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept has been previewed prior to its New York International Auto Show appearance next week. The vehicle, which many speculate represents the styling direction of the next-generation Lexus GS mid-size sedan, offers a far less anonymous look than that worn by the current GS model.
There is no question that the 2011 Lexus GS is a competent luxury sedan that has enjoyed a reputation as a comfortable and well-built premium automobile. However, the GS has never managed to ignite the passions of the crowd served by more sport-oriented sedans like the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 or even the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which has left the Lexus GS on the outside looking in at a significant segment of the luxury market.
Criticism of the Lexus GS has focused on two possible shortcomings that have left the vehicle an also-ran in the quest to boil the blood of premium car buyers. The first has been the sedan's sedate looks, which have evolved from the slippery shape of 1990s-era GS into a blander amalgamation of soft and smooth shapes that is certainly inoffensive to the eye, but which does not inspire the same sort of devoted following enjoyed by its Teutonic competitors.
The images provided by Lexus of the new Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept offer a dramatically different take on what a mid-size luxury offering from the Japanese brand should look like. Drawing extensively from the same design language used in both the Lexus IS-F and the Lexus LFA - the brand's only two high performance automobiles - the LF-Gh is a surprisingly aggressive mass of sharp character lines and boldly muscular fenders. This is especially apparent at the front of the Hybrid Concept, where canted LED headlights slope down to a large and prominent grille that is itself framed by deep air inlets that slice into the lower fascia of the bumper. The sedan's slab sides are interrupted by a rising style line that starts at the top of the front wheel well and extends to help shape the rear deck, where unique taillights and an upswept rear bumper design add further strength to the overall look of the automobile.
Lexus vice-president Mark Templin has stated that the Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept was put together to address what the brand has perceived as a growing demand from its customers to build a vehicle that was not only comfortable but also eye-catching and sporty-looking. Templin also added that the sedan incorporates the lessons learned from listening to feedback from current Lexus owners.
It would appear that should the LF-Gh's general design carry over to the next-generation GS, then the luxury division could make a run at chipping away at the sales advantage currently enjoyed by its German rivals. As for the GS sedan's second perceived weakness - the lack of a pulse-quickening drivetrain and suspension setup - it is still impossible to tell from the Hybrid Concept whether a more communicative chassis and additional horsepower will also be on the menu for the upcoming GS. There is no doubt that the vehicle will feature a gasoline / electric option that maybe well be similar to the as-yet-unreleased specifications surrounding the LF-Gh's motor, but the details of its traditional internal combustion engines remain a mystery.
Lexus has done well to ease its customers into a more performance-oriented mindset with special models like the IS-F and the LFA halo car. The next step for the automaker is to slowly introduce this driver-first DNA into its everyday lineup without upsetting the balance between comfort, power and reliability that have become Lexus hallmarks. The LF-Gh could be an important milestone along the road to achieving this goal.