The new model – which was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show – marks the first time that Lexus has offered two different hybrid powertrains in a single body style and sits below the GS 450h in the line-up with the petrol V6-powered GS 250 having been withdrawn from the UK range.

Featuring a 2.5-litre Hybrid Drive powertrain and a choice of four trim levels – SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier – the GS 300h delivers CO2 emissions from 109g/km, putting it in the 13% BiK bracket.

As a result, Lexus says the model delivers compelling annual tax figures that can save customers up to more than £2,000 a year, as shown by the table below, which shows pricing including leather upholstery and satellite navigation options added to the GS 300h SE specification to bring it in line with the competition:

Figures apply to 40% rate tax payers. Data supplied by Kiwkcarcost.

In addition, fleets will benefit from the model’s excellent fuel consumption figures. A combined cycle consumption of 60.1mpg is expected for the SE model, with 57.6mpg for the Luxury and Premier versions and 56.5mpg for the F Sport.

A further cost consideration for fleets is the low road tax figure, with the SE’s 109g/km CO2 emissions place it in band B for annual Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), while the Luxury and Premier at 113g/km and F Sport at 115g/km, all fall within band C (all figures provisional prior to official homologation).

Full equipment specifications will be released later in the year, but the new GS 300h SE will include 17-inch alloys, 10 airbags, electric steering wheel adjustment, 12-speaker sounds system with DAB radio and DVD player, cruise control, push button start, parking sensors HID (xenon) headlamps, and electrically adjustable, heated front seats. Leading options will be Lexus Premium Navigation, with a 12.3-inch display, and leather upholstery (including heating/ventilation front seat functions).

First customer deliveries of the GS 400h are due from January, with OTR prices starting from £31,495 for the SE and rising to £43,745 for the Premier.