LEXUS UNVEILS PERFORMANCE TRIO IN MELBOURNE
Lexus Australia today unveiled its striking high-performance concept car, the LF-A, and revealed the GS450h - the world's first luxury hybrid sedan - at the 2006 Melbourne International Motor Show.The luxury marque also showcased the next generation of its most successful local model ever, the new RX350 luxury SUV.
The LF-A concept is the headline vehicle; a sleek two-seater supercar powered by a high-output V10 engine, with an estimated top speed of 320km/h.
Lexus will also lead a high-performance hybrid charge in 2006 with the GS450h sedan, due to go on sale in the first half of the year.
The performance GS450h, based on the successful GS Line introduced to Australia last year, marries an alloy direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 with powerful electric motor.
The world's first luxury hybrid will deliver 4.5-litre engine performance, with the fuel economy of a 2.0-litre engine.
"The GS450h is a first for performance cars," said Scott Grant, divisional manager, Lexus Australia.
"The backbone of Lexus' hybrid strategy is improving performance, with fuel consumption far below its peers, and with virtually no harmful emissions," he said.
Lexus' third Melbourne motor show star is the RX350, the next generation of three-time winner of Australia's Best Luxury SUV, the RX330.
With an all-new dual VVTi 3.5-litre V6, the RX350 offers improved power and torque over the current and highly popular RX330.
The RX350 is due to go on sale in March.
Also on display are Lexus' all-new IS250, which has caused a stir in medium luxury car sales since its launch late last year, and the GS300 which debuted Lexus' new styling and engineering in early 2005.
Lexus' newly restyled hard top convertible, the SC430 and flagship LS430 are also on display at the Melbourne show.