Lexus GS launched in Malaysia - two engines, three trims, from RM366,200

Lexus Malaysia has launched the new GS Series to Malaysia market today. For Malaysian market, we are getting the full range of gasoline engine namely the 2.5L V6 D-4S engine in GS250 and the 3.5L V6 in GS350. The "entry level" is available in Standard Trim, as well as in Luxury and F Sport guise. The last two trims are also available for GS350, giving five variants of Lexus GS in total for our market.

Typical to Lexus standard, equipment level is pretty high, even for an entry level variant. The GS250 Standard comes with Bi-Xenon headlamps with auto levelling and washer, LED DRL, rain sensor, all leather interior with choices of 3 shades (no walnut panelling), 8" display screen that controls the audio systems with 12 speakers and with GPS, dual zone aircond, 10-way electrically adjustment for front seats (with memory for driver) and "only" 17" wheel wrapped in 225/50R17 tyres. This version goes for RM366,200.

Opting for Luxury and F Sport will gives the GS250 an adaptive headlights, 18" alloy with 235/45 R18 tyres, wooden interior trim option, larger 12.3" screen in the console controlling 17 speakers Mark Levinson audio system, 3-zone climate control and upgraded front seats with 18-way electrical adjustment with memory functions for both front seats. The GS350 Luxury is similarly equipped too. GS250 Luxury goes for RM398,660 while the GS350 Luxury is pitched at RM456,800.

Going for F Sport range will gives you a sport-treated bumper design, skirting and lip spoiler. The alloy wheel is different in design too. The F Sports version gets an uprated braking systems with larger disc brake at the front and the suspension is recalibrated too. The GS350 F Sport also gets Dynamics Rear Steering for an added agility. For the interior, the seats are trimmed in F Sport leather and the front ones are the sport seat that offers 16 way of adjustment for the driver. The F Sport versions are priced at RM400,600 for the GS250 F Sport and RM464,800 for the top range GS350 F Sport. More detail after the jump.

For recap, the 2.5l V6 D-4S engine produces 206bhp@6400 rpm and 253Nm@4800 of power and torque figures respectively, sufficient to push the 4,850mm long sedan to century sprint of respectable  8.6 seconds and 230km/h of top speed.    Drive is channelled to the rear wheel via the 6 speed Super ECT-i transmission. The 3.5L V6 meanwhile is powered by 3.5l V6 Direct Injection lump kicking out 306PS@6400rpm and  375Nm@4800rpm of power and torque. Acceleration is menacing at 5.7 seconds. Gearbox is as per the GS250. The new GS also comes with Mode Selector, which alters the throttle response, suspension setting and gear shift among others. There are 4 modes to choose from : ECO, Normal, Sport and Sport+, with the last not available for GS250 Standard.

For a detail technical specification covering the car dimensions, engine output, chassis setup, please refer to previous Malaysia Motoring News coverage during the global launch of the new GS in August 2011.

Lexus GS launch - HERE

Lexus GS350 technical data - HERE

Lexus GS F Sport revealed - HERE

Lexus GS250 launch - HERE

In Malaysia market, the new Lexus GS is priced competitively against its German rival, namely BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class. The gasoline range of BMW 5 Series F10 starts with 520i at RM358,800, 528i M Sport at RM409,800 and 535i at RM598,800. Although BMW has an upper hand in 520i pricing, the car is CKD instead of CBU like the Lexus. Only the sub RM600k 535i is CBU. It is hard to quantify value for money at this price, as buyers of this segment is not too concern about the minuscule thousands they could save.