Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Lexus Planning 2014 GS Coupe?

Lexus_gs_prf_ns_52812_717
Lexus plans to add a new performance coupe to its lineup for the 2014 model year. The two-door performance car will take the place of the former SC 430 coupe that was discontinued in 2010.

Lexus officials have not been shy about discussing the company's need for a high-end coupe. Last summer, a U.S.-based Lexus product planner told Inside Line that he would love to see a coupe in the lineup to help boost the emotional appeal of the brand. Earlier this year, Karl Schlicht, head of global product planning for Lexus, told Automotive News that the brand needs a sporty coupe to go with its renewed lineup of sedans and crossovers. The U.S. head of Lexus, Mark Templin, also said he wants a sport coupe in the $60,000-$70,000 range.

The two-door version of the GS you see here is the most likely candidate to fill that role. Its rear-wheel-drive layout and midsize proportions make it the perfect candidate to take on competing luxury coupes like the Audi A5/S5, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The current top-of-the-line GS sedan starts at around $60,000, so a coupe version would slide right into Templin's vision.

The only major hurdle for Lexus to overcome is deciding which drivetrains to use. The GS sedan uses a hybrid V6 in the top-of the-line GS 450h, while the GS 350 gets a V6 only. Neither setup is ideal for a true performance sedan, so it's possible that the coupe could arrive as a GS-F model with a unique drivetrain and tuning.

Given the heavy rollout of new Lexus models in 2012, the introduction of the GS coupe isn't likely until the first quarter of 2013 at the earliest, with sales beginning later in the year.

Courtesy of InsideLine.com

No comments:

Post a Comment