Pros: New Sleek Styling, Rear Wheel Drive V8, Wonderful Fit and Finish
Cons: Handling could be a bit tighter, Still a bit of an identity crisis, Expensive
It’s only fair to say that when it comes to Lexus I acknowledge that it has been, and is in fact, a terrific automobile but up until now, generally not high on my list of personal favorites. Now before you Lexus owners jump down my throat let me explain why.
Lexus is known for luxury and quality and the line certainly does offer those qualities. But for those of you that have followed my reviews for any length of time know that I'm not big on soft and plush ride characteristics and prefer a more "driver tuned" suspension. Also 1 like a little "edge" to styling and here-to-fore the only Lexus that offered any edge at all was the IS300, a very nifty little sport sedan that one of my son's in fact owned.
But believe me, that all changed with the newly designed GS series sedans. The all-new 2006 GS430that 1 recently drove was much more in line with my idea of a luxury sport sedan, with its new refined styling and a 4.3-liter V8 putting out 300 horsepower and more importantly 325 pound-feet of torque. Oh and did 1 say that the GS is rear-wheel-drive? And as I’ve said on many occasions, that is an absolute must for me.
Lexus says the new GS reveals a more passionate direction in styling that will be carried forward to future models. Redesigned for 2006, the GS430 and GS300 are performance oriented sedans that also offer the luxury you'd expect from Lexus. The GS300 debuted in 1993 and the V8-powered as 400 was added in 1998, for 2006 the GS received design and safety refinements and the GS400 became GS430 with the addition of the 4.3-liter V8.
It's no secret that Lexus used the BMW 5-series as the standard for designing the GS just as they used the S-Class Mercedes with their LS. I don't think the LS430 has hurt S-Class sales but it could be a completely different story for the GS430’s impact on BMW.
The plan of attack was pretty basic when you see that the base GS matches the numbers of the 530i as far as engine power and performance goes but Lexus also offers and AllWheel-Drive system that is sure to please the folks in weather country. Then as if to put the proverbial nail in BMW's coffin, Lexus upped the ante, going to the 4.3 liter V8 paired with a killer 6-speed automatic transmission that outperforms the 5451, and now looks like a sports sedan should to boot.
The 2006 Lexus GS is available as three models the rear-wheel-drive GS300 basing at $43,550 powered by a completely new 245-horsepower V6. The GS300 A WD for $45,500 is the first all-wheel-drive system in a Lexus passenger car, and the top dog of the line, GS430for $51,775. All GS models put power to the ground through three variations of a new close-ratio six-speed automatic transmission.
The list of standard equipment puts the GS line definitely in the luxury segment; however the GS comes with a lot of very nice features standard. Just some include leather-trimmed, heated front seats with lO-way power adjustment. Smart Access keyless entry and a pushbutton starter that is way cool, a premium sound system with both CD and DVD capability, Bluetooth wireless telephone technology, and a 7-inch multi-information touch screen for easy access to a variety of information and commands.
Interior options are limited and include a steering-sensitive Park Assist system for $500, a DVD navigation system and rear backup camera for $2,250. A moonroof, ventilated front seats, power rear sunshade and a killer albeit expensive Mark Levinson audio system to the tune (no pun intended) of some $4,000, with 11 channels of ground pounding music going through 14 speakers.
Lexus has always evolved carefully, but the company is now unwavering in their effort to inject more excitement into styling cues. The new GS has a lower stance, more front overhang, a longer and lower hood, a 2-inch-longer wheelbase and wider rear track. The vehicle has a much sleeker design and it looks as smooth as the 0.27 coefficient of drag would suggest.
Along with the usual airbags for both front passengers, Lexus offers, for the first time, driver and front-passenger knee bags to expand the many other levels of the supplemental restraint system. These include seat-mounted side-impact airbags; force limiting, 3-point seat belts for all five seats, with pre-tensioners for both front and rear outboard passengers, front and rear side-curtain airbag. The new braking system integrates four-channel, four-sensor ABS with large, vented discs at all four wheels.
To ensure that the brakes achieve optimum stopping dynamics, they're augmented by Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control. That's all fine and good but the brakes can be a bit dicey to get used to because they will react quickly if you hit the pedal a bit harder than usual.
The GS430 also sports an even more sophisticated handling technology as part of its standard package: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management or VDIM. Such data as steering angle, yaw rate, deceleration, brake pressure and wheel speed are processed much earlier than was possible before VDIM, which then sets in motion a number of measures to ensure stable handling at the very limits of traction.
In contrast to conventional systems, which only react to a car's loss of control, VDIM was developed to anticipate a dangerous situation and then, by making certain corrections, allow the driver to maintain a brisk pace without even realizing the system is at work. VDIM integrates operation of various active systems, with more acronyms than I can keep up with, but suffice it to say, several technologies are also brought into play with the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system.
In no way shape or form can I begin to understand the technology that goes into vehicles today, particularly vehicles the caliber of the GS but have no doubt that there are systems that boggle the mind. So if you're into that sort of thing, go to the Lexus web site and check it out in more detail. Inside the GS the interior is plush yet firm enough to enjoy driving the car in sport mode, which is a choice of suspension settings you have.
Something Lexus did that I like a lot is hide some of the switches behind a little door that drops down at the push of a button rather than have the dash and console cluttered with an array of switches. There are also switches hidden under the sliding center console that control the aforementioned suspension settings, along with seat heaters and ventilation. All in all a very neat interior highlighted by beautiful Ash with black bird's-eye maple, Cashmere with brown bird’s-eye maple or Black with Walnut trim. The fit and finish is as impeccable as one would expect from Lexus.
As far as driving the GS430 goes, the word that comes to mind is WOW. It is a blast to drive combining luxury, sport and performance in a way that definitely got my attention. It doesn't come inexpensively but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it because it truly is. From the moment you walk up to the car, touch the door handle to unlock it, slide in and push the start button you're being prepped for a great ride.
Once underway, the six-speed transmission is seamless and the powerful V8 propels the GS to speed smoothly, efficiently and quietly until you decide to "step on it." The number from 0-60 is a mind-boggling 5.7 seconds and although I couldn't check it out for myself, I was able to get on it enough to believe. I was also able to enjoy the throaty growl of the exhaust under acceleration as I entered the freeway or kicked it into passing gear. Simply stated, this car has a huge fun quotient and offers an incredible amount of performance, handling and comfort. If I were in the market, this is in fact a car that would be high on my list of possibilities.
So I suppose the final question is, does this car actually out drive the ultimate driving machine? Sadly I won't be able to answer that in this review for a couple of reasons. One, I haven't yet been in the new 545i and even if I had, I wouldn't have been able to put either car through the kind of "comapro" paces that other's are allowed to. So, if you're in the market you'll just have to go and drive both (oh darn) and see for yourself how the cars stack up and believe me, it will be fun. One thing I can say for sure, in my humble opinion, I don't think you can go wrong with the all new GS430 from Lexus.
