Lexus GS test drive since 2012 sedan

Review of the new Lexus GS 450H. More practical hybrid of the Lux class

The Lexus GS 450H of the first generation seemed absolutely meaningless to many of us.

Lexus promised the dynamics of V8 in combination with the economy of V6. But fans of hybrid technologies were immediately disappointed in the novelty, since the consumption in her mixed cycle turned out to be 10.2 liters per 100 km, and lovers of dynamic driving did not like the lifeless steering wheel, excess weight and the constantly interfering electronic stabilization system.

It didn’t even help that GS Hybrid cost only $ 3000 more than GS 460 with V8. Yes, we would definitely choose V8.

Releasing the new Lexus GS 450H, the Toyota luxury unit decided to demonstrate a different approach. This time, the emphasis is on efficiency, which should increase by 35% compared to the 2011 model. And this time, GS Hybrid replaces the model with V8, so now there is either a hybrid or nothing. A bold step.

Version 2
GS 450H is a hybrid with a sequential parallel scheme, which means the ability to work only from an electric motor, from an internal combustion engine or in a combined mode. Its 3.5-liter gasoline V6 with a capacity of 286 hp Uses Atkinson’s cycle, which provides significant efficiency.

The compression in the cylinders from 11.8: 1 to 13.1: 1 has also increased, a new vertical vortex generator is installed at the inlet, the fuel injection is controlled by the D-4S system (direct injection tandem and ordinary). Despite the fact that Atkinson’s cycle is more effective, it also has a more limited power range. But this is not a problem at all when there is a second power source on board.

In the case of GS 450H, additional power provides an electric motor with water cooling, which receives energy from nickel batteries. In Sport mode, the voltage on the traction electric motor increases, which increases its power, so in the end the Lexus GS 450H has at its disposal 338 horses. The gasoline engine and the electric motor are driven separately or together, depending on what is required in each specific situation.

The fuel consumption also helps to reduce fuel consumption more efficient cooling of the control unit of the hybrid installation. In ECO mode, no more than 500 volts are supplied to the electric motor. And finally, the range of functioning of energy recovery during braking was significantly expanded.

What is the result? It is assumed that in the city of GS 450H it will consume 8.1 l/100 km, on the highway, the consumption will be 6.9 liters, in mixed mode, this indicator is expected at 7.5 liters. This is a huge step forward in comparison with the indicators of the previous model (10.6/9.4/10.2 liters per 100 km, respectively). The fact that, according to Lexus, the new GS 450H will accelerate from zero to hundreds in 5.6 seconds, and its maximum speed will be 210 km/h is even more impressive. Perhaps it will be more economical and definitely will not become slower.

Harder and easier
Like the GS 350 of the 2013 model year, the new GS 450H received the same wheelbase at which its predecessor gathered, they have the same total length of the body, but at the same time the newcomer made 5 cm wider and 3 cm higher in an attempt to get a more spacious salon . And this attempt was successful, since now in the salon there is enough space for adults with an increase above average. Also, Lexus engineers managed to increase the volume of the trunk due to the vertical location of the batteries (as a result, the volume of the luggage compartment increased by 85 liters).

The 2013 Lexus GS 450h not only received a new body, it became 14% tougher thanks to the larger number of welded elements. At the same time, the interior underwent a hard diet, since the engineers set the task of facilitating the car as much as possible, provided that it would become larger and get a richer equipment.

At a press conference on the launch of the 2013 model, we were informed that the new GS 450H will be 14 kg easier than the 2011 model, but, having studied the specifications of both machines, we found that the 2011 model weighs 1875 kg, and 2013 1900 kg. Maybe this is a new mathematics.

New furniture
The interior of the previous GS 450H was not its weak side, but for 2013 Lexus decided to improve it, having developed a completely new design using materials from even higher quality.

I would like to pay special attention to two things: firstly, Lexus has set up the most convenient driver's seat slightly lower, so now the driver sits in GS, and not on it, and secondly, GS 450H is going on with the steering wheel and some other details from the same The material that, according to Lexus, Reinforce The Sustainability GS 450h (simply put, adds environmental friendliness to its image). Be that as it may, it looks great, especially due to the fact that there is no usual varnish coating, and the bamboo is represented in practically pristine form.

In general, the quality of materials used in the decoration is an order of magnitude higher than that of the previous generation of the model, although several plastic buttons (especially those that control the climate control system and are on the central console) look cheap and are not particularly combined with other materials used in the cabin. .

In the event that you order an optional navigation system, you will get a huge 12.3-inch display, which can be controlled by the Lexus Remote Touch Controller, resembling a computer mouse. You will also get an Enform App Suite system very convenient to use, which allows you to manage the applications installed on your mobile phone, using the display, which greatly facilitates the search for the necessary information using services such as Bing, Opentable (ordering tables in restaurants), Movietickets. COM (ordering tickets in cinemas), Pandora, iheartradio, Yelp and Facebook.

Adaptive suspension
The suspension of the Lexus GS 450H is exactly the same as that of the standard GS 350. This means a wider wheelbase, aluminum front suspension levers and a multi -core system behind the subframe and using more aggressive geometry.

The news was that the Lexus (AVS) adaptive suspension system for a hybrid model will be standard. It will receive softer settings than in the case of GS 350 F Sport, but the basic principle will remain unchanged: shock absorbers are constantly adapted to road conditions and control style, and the driver himself can choose settings.

Using the Drive Mode selector (driving mode), you can choose between ECO, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus modes. The first three mainly involve changes in the calibration of the throttle, but in the Sport Plus mode the steering wheel behavior changes and the stiffness of shock absorbers increases, plus the stabilization point reacts (Lexus representatives assure that this system can be completely disconnected, but all our experiments with the corresponding button successful Unshered).

On the high -speed and winding road Lexus GS 450H in Sport mode seems heavy and awkward. At the entrance to the speed, there is a steady feeling that excess weight walks through the car. But it is worth choosing the Sport Plus mode, how the situation changes sharply, significant body rolls disappear, accuracy and confidence increase, the steering wheel becomes heavier, more acute and more balanced.

Replacing V8?
The first thing you notice when driving around the city is the lack of a measured leisurely rumbling V8. In other words, this is not the best replacement, far from all she is delighted.

The electronic transmission of the planetary type (variator, CVT) is still slightly slow and stretches the gears. The brakes are still far from the ideal, since they instantly grab it at the very top, making it difficult to further smoothly dosing of the brake force.

In general, GS 450H rides smoothly and almost silently. Press the accelerator pedal to the floor, and despite the fact that the revolutions immediately take off, you will be surprised at what deceitful lightness the car is gaining speed and with what pressure it breaks forward.

Results
The production of the Lexus GS 450H will begin at the factory in Tahara, Japan, at the end of April early May this year. Prices are not yet known, but the reasonable assumptions for the US market are at $ 60,000 (currently available, the 2011 model starts with $ 58,950).

This is, without a doubt, an improved GS hybrid, if not in terms of dynamics, then in terms of the quality of interior design, design and handling due to the use of adaptive suspension. Lexus does not expect that GS 450H will beat all existing sales records. According to their forecasts, about 10% of the total GS sales should come to the share of the GS 450H.

If you leave conversations about sales, you can safely say that the Lexus GS 450h 2013 model year makes sense. This is a dynamic car with a hybrid power plant, but now it can offer the level of economy that can be appreciated. Is this the essence of the hybrid?

Source: Insideline