Hoovey was right.
The OP spy pic is the forthcoming Crown Athlete.

 

Lots of great info there.

New GS probably will also have 4cyl turbo and a hybrid as the mainstream models.
The TT V6 will probably reserved for GSF duty.

 

I don't think they will make the same mistake twice with that lousy 4 cylinder being the main engine, GS sales have plummeted ever since that disappointing 4cyl was the standard engine and the same 6 cylinder went up in price. All GS-F competitors have 8 cylinders, I think they will stick with a 8 cylinder, likely turbo charged. Even a base GS needs to be a clear step above a ES, another 4cylinder is not going to work.

 

The GS has traditionally been positioned half a step higher than the Crown.

No doubt the 4 cylinder turbo will be the entry level in the 5GS lineup but the GR V6 turbo in the Crown will probably be the top-end engine in the normal 5GS.

Next gen GS-F will probably get a V8 turbo.

 

If there ever be a 5GS-F, we all know what happened to the IS-F.

 

It's unlikely they'll drop the base four and make a V6 standard again. That rarely happens in the span of 6 years. Imagine how all current four cylinder GS customers would feel if they were the only ones to get "stuck" with the four, while all the years prior and after their model had a nicer six. I don't think any automaker would do that. The trend right now is engine down-sizing, and the 5, E, and A6 all start off with 2.0's. What Lexus could and should do is improve theirs. More power, more refinement, and better efficiency. Considering the company's past engine upgrading, they have the ability to do just that.

 

Thats fine, but which turbo engine will it receive? Hopefully not the current one...

 

My $0.02 on the next GS would be something like this:

The 2019 5GS (300B program) will undoubtedly have a 2.0L turbo 4 as the base engine (likely renamed GS300 if the 2018 NX300 is any indication), but the 8AR-FTS engine will likely receive a power bump and torque raised to match competitors around 270lbft.

Next step up a GS400/GS500 with the new 3.5L TTV6 borrowed from the LS500 (Toyota internal engine code: 943F). This mill should be in the ballpark of 360hp-400hp

A GS500h could potentially be in the cards too, borrowing the 354 total system power and new Multi-Speed transmission powertrain from the LC500h. If they take a page from the 2018 Camry hybrid book, they can relocate the battery under the rear seats hopefully to allow a 60/40 split rear seat feature.

Lastly a GS F with a rumored 4.0L TTV8 would follow around 2020/21.

 

Sounds good Hoovey.

 

But Lexus will surprise us all as usual, and make the 5GS a front wheel drive based off of the all new Camry
But on a serious note, I do hope at least the 3.5 TTV6 makes it to the new GS, untouched by Lexus. We all know the story of the 3GS460.

 

Bit, don't you think 2018 Crown looks similar to 2018 5LS especially the C pillar area?
I think 5LS better styled than Crown.

 

I would hope it was better styled lol

 

Not really.

 

Both 5LS & 2018 Crown now have the 6 light window design.
Neither cars will go down in history among the better styled Toyotas nor Lexiis.

 

Who cares really? At the end of the day. It really makes no difference.