Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept at the 2011 New York Auto Show
- Looks like: Lexus is going for dark and sinister for its next sedan
- Defining characteristics: A yet unspecified hybrid powertrain
- Ridiculous features: Are side-view cameras ever going to take off? Not likely.
- Chances of being mass-produced: This is the next-generation GS; design language will come to all models
The LF-Gh Hybrid concept may point toward a more promising future for Lexus’ slow-selling GS midsize sports sedan, and it should help the company in a segment it hasn't fared well in over the past few years.
The LF-Gh stays pretty much true to form and function as the 2011 GS 450h. What doesn’t stay the same is the styling. Gone are the somewhat frumpy looks of the GS, replaced with creases and curves that exude poise and aggression. Lexus seems to have focused most of its attention on the front end: The concept features a new grille and headlamp designs that Lexus’ whole lineup will end up wearing over time, the automaker says.
The top grille combines, uniformly, with the lower air dam in a similar fashion as some newer Audi models. The grille is shaped by a repeating “spindle” design that resembles sports fabric rather than metal from afar. The wide front fenders have receded air inlets up front and vertical LED fog lamps. The rear features similar air inlets, formed underneath the ends of each rear taillamp. It’s hard to tell, but the taillamps are one wrap-around unit connected by a thin strip underneath the rear deck lid.
Overall, the side silhouette is fairly uneventful — you’d have difficulty distinguishing it from the Infiniti M. The door handles and side mirrors have been “minimized,” Lexus, says, and we don’t believe either adaptation will make it to a production vehicle.
While there are only a few discrete photos of the interior, from what we can surmise the inside is near production ready. The dash and door inlays are adorned with cut-and-sewn leather. There’s a new analog clock with a “three-dimensional” face, according to Lexus. A depression near the driver’s center cluster likely houses the navigation system, similar to the design in the current RX.
The dimensions given for the concept and its rear-wheel-drive layout make us believe it’s the next-generation Lexus GS, though it could replace the GS and the ES in a bid by Lexus to be taken more seriously as a performance luxury division. The luxury make didn’t reveal any specs about the hybrid powertrain but says it’s a “Lexus Hybrid Drive.” Every Lexus hybrid currently features a different powertrain and power rating, so it’s hard to speculate on what hybrid system a production LF-Gh would get if not something entirely new.
We’ll have more comments and photos once the 2011 New York International Auto Show gets under way this month.
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Wow... It looks BORING! It looks even more bland than the current GS! Looks like the 5 series, E class and even Genesis... :/
Looks like they spent too much time on the front bumper and taillights, and absolutely no time on anything else.
Looks like Lexus is trying the Audi look. Menacing look up front with the big open grill and clean everywhere else.
While the CT200h sold 2000 + units in the very 1st month, the HS200h is selling poorly along with the GS450h & LS600h.
So the hybrid buyers prefer hatch / wagon style since they use the space more efficiently. So are they going to replace GS450h with this model, is this really going to sell well.
Instead they can launch the Plugin version of RX400h which is selling well.
It's a great looking car and will be on my list when my current E Class lease expires.
Only an uneducated putz expects a hybrid to be a sales leader. Get a clue you dope!
From the side it doesn't look like they addressed the biggest issue, the size. The current GS has about the same volume as an IS. If this concept is indeed the next GS, its probably in trouble again. Not big enough. Also the L-finesse design language is turning out to be worse than BMW's Bangle design. Note: BMW asked him to quit in 2009.
Hideous looking grille!
From my point of view,
Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept is indeed a great car to see this 2011. The exterior is well polished and a thing that we look forward for a lexus. I hope that the interior design will all be cut-and-sewn leather. Great post you have here!I hope to see more new updates from here!
Wil,
http://www.autosking.com/
Beautiful car, modern designed cars like this gives us an overview how the future will look.
[...]Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept at the 2011 New York Auto Show[...]
I really hope they keep that front end, I'm giddy thinking about all the times I'll drive by one and point and laugh and discuss with my passenger how awful it is.
I own a current model GS. This is about the most inelegant, unimaginative interpretation of the GS they could have possibly come up with. It looks like a cross between a Mitsubishi in the front and a Hyundai in the rear. If there's a god in heaven, this car will look better in person than it does here. Pursuing perfection? Ok.....perfectly hideous!
HYUNDAI??? IN WHAT FORM CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE, OR A MITSU IN THE FRONT, YOU MIGHT BE TRYING TO SAY THE GRILLE BUT ITS NOT REALLY IF YOU CLOSELY LOOK AT THEM. AND HELLO THIS IS JUST A CONCEPT!!! DONT YOU KNOW, THAT GRILLE WONT MAKE IT TO PRODUCTION.
Hate the grill. An abomination. Looks slack-jaw. I have owned ES300, LS400, SC430 and LS460 and if this is the cue for branding... Hello Benz! Did I mention I Hate the grill!!!
Is it just me or did the same person design the front of this car and the '13 Taurus??? I think he has a thing for Audi vehicles
Director to design group: Have you seen the movie 'The Predator'? I want you to design the front end of the car to look just like the creature!"
^ Way to go Jason. Best comment of the day!
Why would they design this car with Accord front and Sonata rear