Following the announcement on the time and place of the premiere of the all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 –that would be the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18th for those of you that didn’t read our previous story- the Japanese company lifted the embargo on the first test drive of the car in the States.

Invitees include names like Car&Driver, Autoweek and Motor Trend. Naturally, the exterior of the pre-production test cars were bagged in plastic, but their interiors were largely free of camouflage (see links below for photos) revealing an edgier LF-A-esque design with lots of stitched leather on the dashboard and a gigantic 12.3-inch information screen above the center console.

Lexus told the magazines that new GS rides on a redesigned platform boasting the same 112.2-inch wheelbase as the current car, with its overall length increased from 190 inches to 190.9. Width is up by 0.8-inches while the roof is 1.2-inches taller than before.

The new model has also shed 157 pounds (71 kg) tipping the scales at 3,638 lbs (1,650 kilos).

Under the hood, the 2013 GS 350 makes use of a tweaked versions of the current model’s 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

If you’re wondering why only 6-speeds when the GS’ rivals from across the pond have moved on to 7- and 8-speed auto transmissions, Lexus insiders told Motor Trend that they believed American consumers would be more willing to pay for electronic gizmos like a netbook-sized infotainment screen than a high-tech tranny […].

And how about the rest of the engine, will there be a V8, we hear some of you ask? Well, no as Lexus decided to drop the eight-cylinder unit from the range and instead offer a performance-tuned hybrid based on the 3.5-liter V6 that will make its world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

A couple of months later, the company will show an F-Sport trim level with some performance and styling upgrades at the SEMA aftermarket gathering in Las Vegas.

There are no current plans for a hardcore GS-F model in the likes of the IS-F. In fact, Lexus insiders suggest that the IS-F’s 416HP V8 engine might not be offered for too long, as it doesn’t seem to comply with the upcoming emission and fuel economy regulations.

Story Sources: Car&Driver , Motor Trend & Autoweek

LEXUS LF-GH STUDY / 2013 GS