Unveiled: 2016 Lexus GS 200t Packs 241 HP And 258 Lb-Ft
By Paulo Acoba
Mingling with the Classics: Lexus Introduces 2016 GS During Pebble Beach Concours Celebrations
It seems like almost all luxury car makers are introducing something new at Pebble Beach and Lexus is no different. According to a press release that dropped earlier today (Aug. 13, 2015) there’s an entry level Lexus GS in the lineup with two less cylinders and a turbo to make up for that displacement. In addition, the standard GS350 gets a little love in the form of more power and both the GS350/450h get upgraded multimedia.
This four-cylinder turbo announcement comes weeks after Lexus announced that they were also throwing in a 2.0 turbo in its IS Series.It’s no coincidence that both engines have the same power output as they’re the exact same power unit. Paired to this turbo is an eight-speed automatic and if you feather the throttle you can eek out 33 MPG on the highway. We’re curious to see how that plays out in reviews.
More power is good power, and although small, the 2016 Lexus GS350 gets a +5HP and +3lb-ft of torque for a final 311 HP and 280 lb-ft. Unchanged is the power in the Lexus GS450H with 338 HP from its gas plus electric motor. But talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing as the 450h will rocket to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds all while being capable of 34 MPG on the highway.
If you’re a fan of Lexus’s iconic front end design, no worries this time around as according to Lexus, the design is now even bolder than ever. In addition, the tail lamps and rear bumper treatments have been updated.
A most notable option is the F SPORT package.
"For added grins when driving, the F SPORT package available for all three GS models combines track-tuned chassis enhancements, including staggered tire sizes (RWD only), with exclusive exterior and interior design features. On the GS 350, F SPORT can be combined with all-weather drive. With rear-wheel drive, the F SPORT package opens the door to higher handling performance with the available Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system with Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS)."
Click here to check out the full press release for yourself.
