The articles that started the whole craze about this car last year stated it will be coming out in Augusyt of this year. Was wondering if this is still true, and what, if any, information has come out since early last year about it. Any info would be appreciated.

 

There will be a GS350 coming out IN JAPAN this August when Lexus is officially launched as a seperate brand in Japan. I' ve never heard of a GS350 GT . . .

 

Lexus said it is going to wait and see how successful it's "h" brand name is, and then it would see whether a GT brand would fit the brand

 

Maybe this will help you out...

Lexus Unveils Second Ground-Breaking Hybrid Luxury Vehicle at New York International Auto Show

03/23/2005 New York


The world's first gas/electric hybrid-powered luxury SUV, the RX 400h, goes on-sale in less than a month. Today, at a press conference at the New York Auto Show, Lexus unveiled yet another ground-breaking hybrid vehicle. The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive.

"Once again, we've applied our formula of no compromise engineering - this time to a luxury sport sedan which proves to us that hybrid power trains can work superbly in virtually any application," said Lexus Vice President of Marketing Mark Templin. "It's very important to continue pursuing substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, while continuing to improve performance and driving pleasure. Our customers wouldn’t have it any other way."

A completely new Lexus Hybrid powertrain was created to power the new 450h. The system combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor—all driving the rear wheels. Combined power output will be well in excess of 300 horsepower, with zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds.

Even more impressive is how quickly and powerfully torque is delivered during mid-range acceleration. The syst***s massive electric motor is capable of delivering maximum torque, immediately upon demand. This unique power delivery characteristic is most noticeable...and most useful...during 30-to-50 passing and merging maneuvers. It is an experience that must be felt to be fully appreciated. The result is a level of acceleration performance similar to a V-8 engine, with combined fuel economy in the high twenties, a level more typical of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder compact sedan, along with one of the best EPA emissions ratings in the industry.

Based closely on the new GS luxury sport sedans, the GS 450h is designed to be the premium model in the GS series, with all of the performance, luxury and safety features befitting a flagship. Many of the optional features from the GS 300 and 430 will be standard on the GS 450h.

There are subtle visual differences like special 18-inch light-alloy wheels and a new power meter that replaces the tachometer. But the new GS 450h is designed to operate like any other Lexus vehicle such that the hybrid experience feels completely normal and seamless, all while delivering a surprising new level of performance and efficiency.

The Lexus GS 450h is targeted for sale beginning in the spring of 2006.

 

Repost

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=155932

and https://www.clublexus.com/index.php/...iew/5340/1/10/

This is the GS450h not related to the original topic on the rumored GS350GT.

 

from autoexpress.co.uk
Quote:
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Things look set to get highly charged at Toyota. The company intends to enter the performance saloon market with a family of Lexus models that will all feature hybrid technology.

Engineers are currently working on two machines, one of which will be a new version of the flagship LS. However, first to hit the road will be the GS350 GT, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Expected in August 2005 and aimed at the Mercedes E55 AMG, it will mark Lexus' first anniversary of sales in Japan, and sport a 300bhp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a 170bhp electric motor. Offering an astounding 470bhp, the car will feature all-wheel drive and be capable of around 60mpg.

But if you think that sounds impressive, then just wait another 12 months, when Lexus' ultimate hybrid - the LS500 GT - will appear. Combining a 400bhp 5.0-litre V8 with a 200bhp electric motor, the car will offer at least 600bhp and be targeted at the Mercedes S-Class flagship, the S600L.

Thanks to predicted improvements in battery technology, economy of more than 50mpg is expected - double the standards set by traditional petrol engines of equivalent performance.

But the march to bring eco-friendly performance technology to Lexus models won't stop there. The firm's popular IS will inherit a new flagship when it is replaced in 2006. The IS350 GT will offer a tuned version of the 3.5-litre V6 that will be in the GS. However, it's not clear if it will sport a hybrid powerplant, although it may integrate some of the bigger syst***s fuel-saving technology, including engine stop and start systems which save fuel in stationary traffic.

For now, the cost of hybrid technology means it's likely to be reserved for Toyota and Lexus' most expensive models. However, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, one Toyota insider told us that the company was committed to hybrid cars, and that ultimately they will be available right across both ranges. Peter Lyon

Thats what i was talking about. This has been reported by car and driver and a few other mags also, so was wonderin if anyone knows anything. It says "which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show", but i cant find anything about it from the motor show, and would think it would have turned a few heads if it was for real..

 

From what I know... the GS 300 (3GR) will be changed to the GS 350 (2GR) in 2007. I only think it will happen because of the IS introduction and because the GS has the 3.5L in Japan.

Lexus is adopting the "fresh changes every model year" instead of keeping their usual 3/2 routine. So the possible timeline:

06 New model
07 New V6 and V8
08 New... um... no clue
09 Headlamp/Tail lamp revision
10 New V6 again?

Note: This is all speculation. Rumors fly around the dealerships almost as bad as the internet