Ever since the Prius unexpectedly became the Xerox of hybrids and a greenie icon, Toyota has been trying to figure out how to apply the technology to its other models. Its results have been decidedly mixed, nowhere more so than with its luxury lineup. But with the2013 Lexus GS 450h, Toyota thinks it has finally figured out what a hybrid luxury car should be.

From a sales perspective, the first-generation GS 450h was a disappointment. While we liked it quite a bit when we test-drove it a couple years ago, Lexus just hasn’t been able to move the metal. Introduced to much fanfare in 2006 as a 2007 model, the GS was Lexus’ second hybrid and the first rear-wheel-drive hybrid on the market. Lexus touted it as a performance sedan, even as Toyota was heavily marketing its hybrids as fuel sippers. Whetherconsumers were confused or not, they never took to the hybrid GS. Sales peaked at just below 1,800 in that first year and have gone down in each successive year. In 2010, Lexus sold barely 300 GS hybrids, roughly four percent of total GS sales, which were about 7,000.

So Lexus wants to be taken seriously now. Certainly the brand is a heavyweight – and has been since the moment it launched 22 years ago, changing the luxury market almost overnight. It’s just had trouble garnering the respect of the cognoscenti, the car enthusiast types, the sorts of people who can see a pair of taillights flash by and identify year, make and model.

Lexus representatives are not shy about the issue, in part because it’s hard to ignore years of critics calling your cars bland and soulless, while smirking, self-avowed “car guys” trade their BMWsedans in on new BMW sedans, even as they grumble about electronic nannies, iDrive and Chris Bangle.

That’s why Lexus built the LFA supercar, say the company’s flacks, who seem unnaturally willing to admit that previous models were lacking a certain something, having settled upon the word “emotion” as the politically correct way to describe what was wrong with this last generation of Lexus products. But the real reason behind such refreshing, if specious hindsight, is that the Lexus braintrust thinks it has the solution to winning over its detractors in the 2013 Lexus GS 350.

Lexus will launch the 2013 GS in 350 and 450h variants here in the United States, but elsewhere, buyers will be able to opt for an entry-level GS 250 – a vehicle that just made its debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China.

Much like the other 250-badged vehicles, the GS will be powered by a 2.5-liter V6 with direct-injection, producing 207 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Those aren’t exactly breathtaking power figures by any means, but it allows the GS 250 to compete with the base four-cylinder BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class models offered in Europe. Running to 60 miles per hour will take 8.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 142 mph.

A Lexus spokesperson confirmed to Autoblog that the automaker currently has no plans to offer the GS 250 here in the United States. The car will go on sale in other markets in June of next year, right when the GS 450h launches. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Lexus pulled the sheets off of its 2013 GS 350 F Sport at SEMA 2011. The performance package helps give the luxury sedan some much-needed attitude with the addition of a more menacing front fascia. The changes aren’t merely aesthetic, however. Lexus also substitute larger anti-roll bars for improved handling, as well as new bushings and bigger brakes up front. Toyota’s luxury outpost has also equipped the 2013 GS 350 F Sport with variable steering on rear-wheel drive models. Stylish 19-inch staggered-width wheels help wrap up the package.

Don’t expect to see any additional power from the GS 350 F Sport, however. The 3.5-liter V6 remains unchanged, which means buyers can expect to sink their teeth into 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Those aren’t exactly numbers to write home about, but the base GS 350 is hardly a slouch in the 0-60 dash – Lexus says the F Sport can do the deed in 5.7 seconds. Prices have yet to be announced, but you can see more in our gallery and revisit the official press release after the jump.

What’s the first thing automakers do when they want to boost their sales but don’t have a completely new or refresh product(s) in the pipeline? The age-old answer to that question is a special edition model.

For Lexus it’s actually three new limited edition models based on the 2012 LS 460, ES 350 andCT 200h, with the first two arriving in U.S. dealerships in November, and the third next month.

We’ll start off with the 2012 LS 460 Special Edition that bundles all existing Sport package performance and appearance elements, plus a new interior package. Among other features, it gets 19-inch, split 10-spoke forged alloy wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes and a sport-tuned air suspension. The MRSP for the special LS is $77,000, not including an $875 delivery, processing and handling [DPH] fee.

Next in line is the 2012 ES 350 Touring Edition, which is priced at $40,475, plus an $875 DPH fee. It will be available in two colors, Stargazer Black and Starfire Pearl, with standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels in a Liquid Graphite finish, additional wood trim inside and saddle tan leather-trimmed seats.