Currently reading: New York motor show 2011: Lexus LF-Gh concept
New mid-size Lexus saloon appears in concept guise at New York show

Lexus has launched its hybrid Lexus LF-Gh concept at the New York motor show.

Lexus says the new concept, called LF-Gh (Lexus Future Grand touring Hybrid), previews its new GS and shows the latest direction for its L-Finesse design philosophy. That styling language was previewed on 2003’s LF-S concept, a model that directly influenced the GS. It’s widely expected that the next generation of that car, due this autumn, will draw heavily on the latest show car’s looks.

See the official pics of the Lexus LG-Gh concept - now with New York motor show pics

The LF-Gh itself has a more aggressive face than the current GS, with some elements — including deeply scalloped air intakes in the front bumper — that ape the LF-A.

The car is 4890mm long, 1870mm wide and 1450mm high. That’s 40mm longer, 50mm wider and 20mm taller than the current GS. It is more overtly a saloon in appearance, though.

Read more on the new Lexus IS and GS models

Other design features include sharply creased side skirts, intricate tail-lights, subtle fin vents at the rear (which could be used for battery cooling) and a small rear diffuser. Cabin details are scarce, but Lexus says it will seat four passengers.

Lexus has not issued any details of the concept’s powertrain, beyond confirming that it is a hybrid, and that it is rear-wheel drive. That means it could well use a modified, more efficiency version of the GS450h’s hybrid drive set-up, based on a V6 petrol motor.

John McIlroy

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