Details on Lexus Malaysia's operation plans was revealed to the public on the 13th of December 2006. The Lexus brand is a young one, only 17 years old and despite being a division of Toyota, Lexus only made it's appearance in Japan last year. Majority of sales remain in North America where it is the top selling luxury marque, and it has also expanded to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and now Asia – Singapore got an official Lexus presence last year.
Now it is our turn – Lexus Malaysia will operate from a sales, service and spare part 3S outlet in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Lexus plans to sell 150 units in 2007, about 12 units a month of the Lexus LS460L long wheel base and the smaller but sportier Lexus GS300 sedan. The RX SUV (Harrier) and another model is expected to come in soon next year, but for the moment it is a two model line-up.
More details on the two Lexus cars after the jump.
Originally shown to the public as the LF-Sh concept vehicle, the fourth generation flagship full-sized Lexus LS460L offered here in Malaysia is the long wheel base version, offering greater comfort and space for the rear occupants over the standard wheelbase LS460, exactly . It is a front engined, rear wheel drive sedan.
Powered by a 4.6 litre V8 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission producing 380hp at 6,400rpm and 498Nm of torque at 4,100rpm, the luxurious sedan goes for RM 864,458.50 on-the-road price with insurance. Refilling it's 84 litre fuel tank at RM1.95 per litre RON97 gas prices should be RM163.80.
Selling for RM 413,688.20 on the road with insurance, the other model in the new Lexus line-up, the Lexus GS300 is touted as a competitor to the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes Benz E-Class. You might find it familiar if you watched the recent remake of the classic movie The Omen shown in cinemas lately, the father of Damien drove a Lexus GS. It is positioned as a medium-sized luxury sports executive sedan, and was sold in Japan as the Toyota Aristo until 2005 where the Lexus marque officially entered the Japanese market.
The Lexus GS300 uses a 3.0 litre V6 engine with D4 gasoline direct injection – the 3GR-FSE making 245hp at 6,200rpm, and 309Nm of torque at 3,500rpm. This Dual VVT-i D4 engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, two cogs less than it's big brother the LS460L. The GS will cost you RM138.45 to fill up it's 71 litre fuel tank.