Yet again, Toyota has refreshed its Japanese domestic market Mark X sedan, which benefits from a series of cosmetic and mechanical tweaks for the new model year.
For those unaware, the Mark X is a mid-size saloon that shares its platform with the Toyota Crown and the (previous) Lexus GS and is available exclusively with V6 powertrains and the option of rear- or all-wheel drive.
In its latest form, Toyota’s designers came up with a newly styled front end sporting different headlamps that incorporate Bi-Xenon and LED daytime running lights, a new grille with a more pronounced “X” logo in the center, and a redesigned bumper.
The Japanese automaker also made changes to the rear with a new set of tail lamps that follow the shape of the front headlights and a re-sculptured bumper.
A fresh assortment of exterior finishes along with new silver accents, trims and colors for the interior complete the cosmetic makeover of the regular versions.
Toyota says that it has refined the chassis improving handling and has made the car quieter through the expanded use of damping materials.
In addition to the regular Mark X available in Premium, S Package and F Package trims, Toyota also offers the G’s variant developed by its racing partner Gazoo Racing.
The Mark X G’s sports an aggressive exterior styling kit encompassing a new grille and bumper with a huge center opening up front, along with side skirts, a boot lid spoiler, clear tail lamp lenses, a redesigned rear bumper with side air vents and a diffuser housing quad tail pipes, plus a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the upgrades include a leather steering wheel and shifter with red stitching, white instrument panel gauges, black sport seats with red accents and stitching, and carbon fiber trim.
Gazoo Racing’s engineers have upgraded the chassis with a new sports suspension that lowers the car’s ride height by 20mm and which promises to improve handling.
Aside from the sports exhaust system, there are no other changes under the hood with the G’s model being offered with the same 2.5-liter and 3.5-liter V6 engines producing 272hp (276PS) and 314hp (319PS) respectively as the regular Mark X variants.
All models are equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
In Japan, prices for the new Mark X start from 2,440,000 Yen (US$30,500 or €24,400) for the base 2.5L model and rise to 4,200,000 Yen (US$53,400 or €42,700)for the flagship 3.5L G’s version.
Thanks to Bruno R. for the tip!
2013 TOYOTA MARK X G’S
2013 TOYOTA MARK X
