These are the first official pictures of the all-new Lexus GS250, shown in public for the first time this week at the Guangzhou motor show in China.
It's due for world release - including South Africa - in mid-2012, along with GS350 and GS450h (hybrid) siblings, as well as a sporty F Sport version.
The GS 250 has a 2.5-litre petrol engine with direct fuel-injection and variable valve timing on both camshafts; it's rated for 152kW at 6400rpm and 253Nm at 4800, giving the GS a 0-100 sprint time of 8.6 seconds and a 227km/h top speed.
Combined-cycle fuel consumption is quoted at 8.95 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions at 207g/km.
The high-revving V6 engine is matched to a close-ratio, six-speed automatic transmission, with sequential manual shift function. The system has been revised to deliver faster shift speeds, earlier torque converter lock-up and downshift throttle blips, according to a range of different drive modes available through the GS 250's drive mode select system.
The new GS has significantly more head and legroom for rear-seat passengers than its predecessor, and comes with a range of new gizmos, including a 310mm multimedia screen, which Lexus says is the largest on the market.
It will be available with a new S-flow air-conditioning system with microparticle air filtration, and a new Mark Levinson audio system with as many as 17 speakers.
The bodyshell, says Lexus, is also 14 percent more rigid, front and rear suspension have been revised for more dynamic response - which is also selectable through drive mode select, giving the option of Eco, Normal and Sport S modes, while models with adaptive variable suspension have an additional Sport S+ mode for even more exuberant driving.
Driver aids include vehicle dynamics management lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor and night view.
Lexus has promised more details nearer to the June 2012 launch.