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 Lexus GS430 |
Lexus has launched its all-new, third generation GS -- "a car that breaks new boundaries for Lexus," said the company. Globally marketed and three years in the making, the car goes on sale this week.
You get a choice of two engines. The flagship GS430 model is equipped with a 4.3-litre V8 delivering 279bhp and a maximum 308lb-ft of torque. It makes zero to 62mph in 6.1 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155mph. Performance is aided by variable valve timing (VVT) with an ETCS-i drive-by-wire electronic throttle control.
GS300 models are powered by an all-new 3.0-litre V6, a chain-drive DOHC unit that produces 245bhp at 6,200rpm and 229lb-ft of torque at 3,500rpm. Acceleration is 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 148mph. Using stoichiometric direct fuel injection technology and dual-VVT, Lexus punts it as achieving "an excellent balance between performance and fuel economy."
Both engines are matched to a close ratio, electronically-controlled six-speed automatic gearbox with a sequential shift mode allowing the driver to make manual gear selection when desired.
The all-new platform on which the GS is constructed offers greater rigidity, and has a longer wheelbase and wider rear track than the previous generation model, contributing to the car’s improved handling.
The new GS also adopts new speed-sensitive electric power steering, which on the GS430 model further benefits from a variable gear ratio steering system that assists according to driving conditions. This means the driver gets more feedback to the driver at high speed, while making slow speed manoeuvring is easier.
The suspension setup includes lightweight double wishbone front suspension and a compact multi-link set-up at the rear . On the GS430, Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) allows the driver to fine tune the damping system with settings for Normal or Sport performance. Selecting Sport also automatically adjusts the VGRS to provide quicker steering responses.
Lexus claimed that it has paid close attention to aerodynamic efficiency and insulation provisions to ensure that levels of noise, vibration and harshness are reduced.
The new GS adopts a Smart Key system for simple door locking and engine start-up and makes use of a new glass screen system to ensure the instrumentation read-out remains perfectly clear in all light conditions.
A 10-speaker sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player is fitted as standard. A Mark Levinson hi-fi is an option, as are a DVD-based satnav system, Bluetooth mobile telephone, and Parking Assist system, with rear-view camera. Front and rear parking sensors operate in line with the car’s steering angle.
Exceptional safety comes as standard with the new Lexus GS, a car designed from the start to meet the highest Euro NCAP requirements for passenger protection.
All versions are equipped with ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).
Passive safety systems include 10 airbags, including knee airbags for driver and front seat passenger and front and rear curtain shield airbags. All models except the entry level GS300 also feature rear passenger side airbags. Both front and outer rear passenger seatbelts have pre-tensioners and force limiters and there are ISOFIX attachments for the secure location of compatible child seats.
Adaptive Cruise Control -- standard on the GS430, optional on the GS300 SE-L -- uses radar technology to ensure the car keeps a standard distance from the car in front and is linked to Lexus’s Pre-Crash Safety system. This uses the same network of sensors to determine when a collision becomes inevitable and prepares the seatbelts and the emergency braking system to deliver the optimum performance when needed.
Pedestrian safety includes a crushable design for bonnet, engine cowl and front bumper. The bonnet is shaped to disperse impact energy over a larger area and also to lessen the risk of serious head injuries, by off-setting the angle of head impact.
Safer night-time driving is enabled, thanks to HID headlamps with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). Standard on all GS models, AFS monitors the vehicle’s turning radius and moves the angle of the headlamp beams to improve forward lighting through bends in the road.
The new Lexus GS goes on sale in the UK on 15 April, offered in four grades: GS300, GS300 SE, GS300 SE-L and GS430. OTR prices start at £30,400 for the GS300, £35,900 for the GS300 SE, £38,000 for the GS300 SE-L and £46,755 for the GS430.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has awarded the new GS300 and GS300SE insurance group 16E, the SE-L version is in group 17E and the GS430 is in group 18E.
The new Lexus GS requires servicing every 10,000 miles (Health & Safety Check) with major servicing required at 20,000 mile intervals. In line with all other Lexus models, the new GS will be sold with 3 years’/60,000 miles warranty with 3 year paint and 12 year anti-perforation warranties.
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