Lexus GS 300h: Shanghai Motor Show

Offering much better economy than the GS 450h, it offers not only a viable alternative for private buyers looking for a bit of beautifully built Japanese luxury with lower running costs, but also makes the GS a much more appealing option for company car drivers – probably where most of the sales will be made.

Lexus are aiming for Co2 emissions below 110g/km for the GS 300h (the IS 300h manages 99g/km) which will give headline economy around 60mpg – a third better than the GS 450h can manage.

Power comes from the same hybrid drivetrain as the IS 300h, which means a 2.5 litre petrol mated to an electric motor and delivering 215bhp and o-62mph in around 8.5 seconds.

Lexus are already seeing strong sales for the new GS since it launched in the UK last year, and the addition of the GS 300h to the UK market later in 2013 – joining the GS 450h and GS 250 – should see those numbers increase.

No price for the GS 300h so far, but it seems likely it will start at around £35k, a bit up from the entry-level 250.

By Cars UK