Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Lexus Reveals its Futuristic LF-Gh Concept


Lexus Reveals its Futuristic LF-Gh Concept
20-Apr 06:04                                                                                                                                     Midweek Motoring with Gavin D’Souza  Lexus has unveiled a futuristic concept car on the Internet ahead of its physical reveal at the New York Motor Show.
While the company calls it a ‘Grand Touring Hybrid’, its proportions out it quite clearly as a mid-range luxury sedan, specifically the next-generation GS.
This is a welcome revelation as the GS was the one Lexus most in need of an update.
The current LS limousine has been around since 2006, the current IS has only recently been refreshed with additions like the F-sport pack, but the GS has been trundling along with only updates since way back in 2004.
Lexus' recent styling cues have divided opinion but have at least formed quite a cohesive pattern, and so far this concept has already proven itself a true Lexus in that respect.
It’s very angular, with pointy lights and sharp edges gracing an otherwise conventional, slab sided sedan shape; it’s really a slightly shrunken LS.
The headlights do a neat little 3D, lens-less trick with LED projectors, but these will probably reach a more realistic production guise.
One internet commentator described the LF-Gh as "deliberately hybrid-looking", which is actually quite telling of Lexus' branding as a purveyor of hybrid luxury cars because, viewed objectively, it just looks like a Lexus.
That said, there is quite a bit of that 'blue hue' Lexus bastes liberally all over its hybrid models and the car's exhaust tips are heavily concealed, as if their role is very small.
But a hybrid it certainly will be and buyers can expect V6 (and perhaps even four-cylinder) engines mated to electric motors for this car's production power-train.
They can also expect the Lexus promise of exemplary refinement, comfort and a tech-heavy cabin.
There will also be petrol-only models as with the current GS sedan, and like that model, the hybrid should make up the majority of sales.
The production version of this sedan is expected to be revealed towards the end of 2011 and go on sale sometime next year.
3 News

 3 News -   http://www.3news.co.nz/defaultStrip.aspx?tabid=213&articleID=207767