Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A Roadster concept.

Lexus Australia's chief executive, John Roca, gave up a number of product details to The Australian in an interview this past weekend, including the addition of an "F" variant of the GS sedan and possibly a full-size LS limo. Both models are aimed to attack luxury stalwarts Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz by offering a number of high-performance variants and also developing a new model that would slot in below the IS sedan to take on the BMW 1-series and the Audi A3. That model is still a few years away, but it will be an integral part of Lexus' commitment to reach one million global sales in the next two to three years.

The other element includes offering hybrid versions of every vehicle it sells, plus the introduction of a hybrid-only model that will be unveiled in concept form this January at the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota's luxury arm plans to release a redesigned five-seater RX next year, based off the LF-Xh concept that bowed in Tokyo, although there's no word on the rumored seven-seat variant due out before the end of the decade.

Naturally, no conversation about Lexus would be complete without some mention of a two-door, coupe/convertible version of the IS, a model that's been sorely lacking from the Lexus lineup, plus, the LF-A supercar, which should finally come to market in 2011, but may only be available in left-hand drive.




[Source: The Australian via Motor Authority]

Well, the Lexus IS-F is really being seen as an M3 fighter in many camps, so something one size up makes sense as well. Its rumored M5-battling GS-F will need some serious hardware underhood to take on its just-right-sized Bavarian rival. Something like a 500 HP V10 would seem a good start. And that's what it will get apparently.

Of course this is still early guesswork, and by the time the car debuts as a 2012 model the benchmark may have made a move of its own, so we'll just trust Motor Trend's predictions for now. They forecast the GS-F will get the LF-A's "500-plus-horsepower, Formula 1-inspired sub-five-liter V-10." That racy mill will find its way into the all-new 2011 GS sedan, backed by a modified eight-speed automatic from the LS 460, which allows "ultrafast" manual shifting via paddles. It should be an interesting challenger to not only the M5, but to the Audi RS6, Mercedes E63 and Cadillac CTS-V as well. We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

[Source: Motor Trend]