Facelifted 2016 Lexus GS Debuts At Pebble Beach, Gets New 241HP 2.0-Liter Turbo

Following the reveal of the 2016 GS-F earlier this year, Lexus has applied similar styling updates to the rest of the 2016 GS lineup. The sedan now gets a restyled front end with standard Bi-LED headlights, new interior colors and trims, a new GS 200t rear-wheel drive model, as well more power and torque for GS 350.

Styling-wise, the 2016 Lexus GS sports a more imposing spindle grille framed by satin chrome trim, as well as new standard Bi-LED headlights. The front bumper has also been redesigned, with the model also getting revised taillights and rear trim, as well as new 18- and 19-inch machine-finish wheel designs.

The 2016 GS is available with new exterior colors, including Matador Red Mica, Nightfall Mica and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0.

Inside, the revised Lexus GS lineup gets new trim selections including laser cut wood, Matte Walnut, Linear 3D and Naguri aluminum (for the F Sport). New interior and leather colors include Chateau and Noble Brown, while the F Sport adds Rioja Red to available choices. Finally, the analog clock located in the center of the dash is now housed in a single ingot of aluminum and uses LED indicators, while adding new GPS functionality for adjusting the time zone.

Moving on to the technical side, the 2016 GS lineup gets a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rated at 241hp and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque, the new engine gives the GS 200t rear-wheel drive model a fuel economy estimate of 33 mpg (7.1 l/100 km) highway.

Another change for 2016 involves the GS 350, whose 3.5-liter V6 now produces 311hp and 280lb-ft (379Nm) of torque – up from 306hp and 277lb-ft (375Nm) in the 2015 model. The V6 engine is also paired with the eight-speed automatic. The Lexus GS 350 is also available with an all-wheel drive system.

The GS 450h hybrid continues as the range-topping model, pairing an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine with and a water-cooled permanent-magnet electric motor for 338 total system horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a continuously variable transmission CVT. The Lexus GS 450h sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds and has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined.

In terms of equipment, the 2016 Lexus GS gets the Lexus Safety System +, which combines Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam (IHB) and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.