2012 Lexus GS 250 SE - Price £32 995

The new 2012 GS range is already available on the UK market. It starts at £32 995 for the entry-level GS 250 SE and goes up to whopping £44 995 for the Luxury model - full hybrid GS 450h.

The engine range includes a 2.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i petrol with 206PS (154 kW) and a 3.5 litre V6 hybrid with overall power 340PS (253 kW).

The standard equipment includes 17" alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps and windscreen wipers, LED daytime running lights and a rear-view camera with parking guide monitor. Cabin comfort is assured with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and electrically adjustable front seats (10-way, with memory setting for the driver's seat) with heating and ventilation functions. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable, too, and incorporates paddle shifts. On-board entertainment is provided by a 12-speaker audio system with CD player, DAB tuner, Bluetooth and USB/Aux ports for connecting personal music players.

Both the GS 250 and full hybrid GS 450h are offered in Luxury and F Sport grade. The former builds on the SE specification with the introduction of 18-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an HDD satellite navigation system with Remote Touch controller. Luxury grade also provides a new blind spot detection system integrated into the folding/auto-dimming door mirrors.

F Sport versions of GS make a bolder style statement thanks to 19" rims, a boot-lip spoiler and sports-styled bumpers and front grille. In addition to the Luxury specification, the F Sport has bi-xenon headlights with an automatic high beam function, as well Lexus's Adaptive Front-lighting System, which adjusts the beam direction as the car approaches bends and turns at junctions.

The F Sport look carries through to the cabin with sports pedals and perforated leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and gear knob. The front sports seats gain further adjustment functions – 16-way for the driver, plus four-way lumbar support.

The F Sport benefits from Adaptive Variable Suspension and selectable drive modes plus, on the 450h model, the Lexus Dynamic Handling System, which brings together a comprehensive array of steering and handling features, including Dynamic Rear Steering, electric power steering, Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

At the top of the range, the GS 450h Premier is fitted with 18-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and the same bi-xenon headlamp system as the F Sport models. The F Sport's adaptive suspension and selectable drive modes are also part of the Premier's specification.

In the cabin the seats are upholstered in semi-aniline leather, with both front seats benefiting from 18-way electric adjustment and memory settings. The passenger seat offers extra leg support and a rear easy access function.

The sophisticated climate control system is divided three-ways between the front left and right and rear sections of the cabin, and is equipped with an ioniser to help maintain an ideal environment.

The HDD navigation and premium Mark Levinson sound system are linked to a 12.3-inch central display screen, the largest on the market. Other details include automatic boot closing, sunshades for the rear windows (electrically operated for the back window) and a tyre pressure warning system.

Options list include a premium surround system with 12.3" navigation and multimedia screen, a sun roof, LED headlamps and a preventive safety package featuring Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Crash Safety. Metallic or mica paint is an option across the board, while full-map navigation is available for the GS 250 SE.

Nine exterior colours are available for SE, Luxury and Premier versions of the new GS: Arctic Pearl, Sonic Silver, Velvet Black, Mercury Grey, Meteor Blue, Crimson Red, Atlantic Blue, Celestial Black and, for GS 450h only, Obsidian Black. The F Sport models have a different range of colours: Arctic Pearl, Sonic Silver, Velvet Black, Mercury Grey and Crimson Red.

In the cabin SE and Luxury models have gloss black dash inserts, with aluminium used for the F Sport; Walnut, Ebony or Bamboo wood trims are used in the GS450h Premier, according to the choice of leather upholstery shade.

There are six leather colours, with a Garnet red exclusive to the F Sport.

Lexus GS 250 (2012)

Source: Lexus