2012 Lexus GS 250 Guangzhou debut

2012 Lexus GS 250 debuts in China this week

We’ve had the reveal of the 2012 Lexus GS 450h, and we’ve even reported on the US GS 350 and that the UK and Europe are to get an entry-level GS – the Lexus GS 250.

But so far we’ve not had a proper reveal of the GS 250, just a bit of information and the assumption it’s a less powerful and less well-equipped version of the GS 450h. Which it is, and this week we get to see exactly what the entry-level GS offers with its public debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China.

Under the bonnet of the Lexus GS 250 is where the biggest difference lies for Lexus buyers – there’s no hybrid gubbins. Instead, Lexus has fitted the GS with a 2.5 litre V6 petrol with direct injection and VVT-i intelligent valve timing.

That setup delivers 206bhp and 187lb/ft of torque, which means progress is on a par with the small diesels in the 5-Series or Jaguar XF at 8.6 seconds 0-62mph. Which is perfectly decent.

The point of the GS 250 is that it will be more frugal than its hybrid sibling, and on that score the GS 250- manages to average 31.7mpg with emissions of 207g/km. Which could be its downfall in Europe.

The XF 2.2 diesel manages an average of 52mpg and has emissions of 149g/km and the BMW 520d does 59mpg and emits 125g/km. Which is going to make the choice for company car drivers a very easy one to make.

We do like that the GS 250 will emit far less of the stuff that matters – NOx and particulates – than any diesel-engined car will, but until HMTC see the light and start to tax cars on real emissions instead of CO2, that’s not going to help the Lexus cause.

Still, a Lexus GS with a proper six-speed auto ‘box instead of a CVT ‘box is a big plus, and we’d expect private buyers who relish the comforts Lexus bring to the GS, but would prefer a more parsimonious experience, will welcome the GS 250.

Lexus has been a bit stingy with photos of the GS 250 (we may get more after the public debut), so we’ve added the original gallery of the Lexus GS we had at launch too. Just mentally subtract some of the the more interesting stuff.

(3 photos – click any thumbnail for full size)

(32 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

V6, 24-valve

2,500

206/154 @ 6,400rpm

253 @ 4,800rpm

Six-speed sequential-shift, intelligent Electronically Controlled

(ECT-i) automaticTransmission

Discs (front and rear)

ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management

4,850

1,840

1,455

2,850

566

(with tyre repair kit)

8.6

142

31.7mpg

207

By Cars UK