Test drive Lexus GS 1997 - 2000 sedan
Who has four eyes ...
Until the end of the twentieth century, there were short two years left. But today you can really look into the future. At least car. At least one eye. You just have to ride on the new Lexus GS300. However, the danger of the curvature of the spatio-temporal continuum is great, and in order not to break up the connection of times, some of the representatives of the outgoing century is needed. Outstanding, known and typical. Mercedes-Benz E320.TIME MACHINE
The Toyota Aristo car, who burst into the European and American markets in the European and American markets, was soon nicknamed the Japanese Mercedes under the trademark of the Lexus GS300 trademark. It is quite reasonable, since it immediately made him serious competition, pulling on a fair part of the former consumers of the Stuttgart concern. According to some reports, the Lexus GS300 was conceived and created as a direct rival of the S-class. We believe that the E320 in the back of 210 most of the parameters corresponds to this role.
NEVEVKLIDOVA Geometry
The geometry of the Lexus body is based on an ellipse. Which gives rise to associations with a vehicle of the future, as the authors of fantastic films represent it. This form is most optimal from the point of view of aerodynamics, and also allows you to achieve almost perfect weighting the axes and provide maximum living space with relatively small body dimensions.
Mercedes against its background is more traditional and simple - a typical sedan of the late twentieth century.
Separate eyes-phara and rounded lines of the rear lights. It is impossible not to admit that the wrong ovals of these elements in Lexus look more advantageous and progressively than strict geometry in E-class. Yes, and the headlights with the crystal facet of reflectors and xenon lamps give Lexus additional glasses.
The turquoise-perlamur Mercedes with anthracite color with the skin of the cabin is undoubtedly good, beautiful and elegant, but the black Lexus with leather-based ivory color and light-nore panels makes it snuggling with pleasure. Aesthetics defeated the practice - in the future, presumably, there will be no dirt and dust.
The Lexus salon is enveloping, solid, solid and elegant. He is more emotional than his practical and restrained German rival. A higher central console separates the driver's area from the rest of the space, as if emphasizing the priority of the sitting at the wheel, without false democracy of the E-class.
The seats are softer than in Mercedes. They are equipped with heating, electrical regulations in all planes with memory in three positions. In the E-class, in addition to a complete set of adjustments and memory, there is a pneumatic pumping pillow of the seat, lumbar region and side support ribs. Opinions on the subject, which is more comfortable, were divided. However, someone likes blondes, someone-brunettes. However, unanimously converged on the fact that the driver’s seat automatically leaving back, the retractable and at the same time rising steering wheel when the ignition is turned off gives the Japanese a solid head start.
Otherwise, the set of options turned out to be how full, so identical. The only thing the E -class hits the opponent is the system of comfortable parking - infrared sensors in the bumpers transmit a signal about the obstacle to miniature displays on the dashboard.
The passenger part in both machines provides approximately the same level of comfort, with the only difference being that the heads of the backs sitting behind in the E-class can be protected from the scorching sun with a curtain with electric drive, which is not in Lexus. In other words, with the highest level of comfort for Lexus passengers, a driver for a driver can be considered a slightly greater extent.
The traditions of the future
Mercedes offers a classic and familiar set of instruments and controls for our time: ordinary converters, switch devices combined into one block. They are extremely convenient and functional, but at the same time boring and ordinary.
And the 21st century looks at you point blank through the fluorescent-green dials of the devices. They are separate and deeply drowned in the panel. They are complemented by a huge liquid crystal display on the front console. All information is displayed on it from the on -board computer, climatic installation, audio system or GPS navigation system. The latter, unfortunately, does not function in Russia. Bye.
This display plays the role of the control panel for all the above devices. To do this, just just touch your finger to the corresponding inscriptions on it. The entire system is equipped with a device for automatic adjustment of the brightness of the glow and is perfectly visible in any light.
Plus
Both cars are equipped with six -cylinder engines approximately equal in characteristics. This is not to say that the difference between the in-line engine in Lexus and the V-shaped Mercedes was felt in the motion at all. Nevertheless, the initial torque of the V-shaped engine is higher than that of the in-line, so the E-class starts somewhat more energetic. But this difference can be seen only by transplanting several times from one car to another for an hour. In addition, Lexus sound insulation is somewhat superior to an E-class, and the engine works quieter.
Both cars are equipped with automatic five -speed checkpoints with manual control. The modes of fully automatic operation of the box in Lexus are three: winter, sports and economical. There are traditionally two in E-class: normal and sports. However, manual control requires good skills. If they are - pleasure from controlling a powerful and obedient machine is guaranteed. But to a certain limit, since Lexus is literally stuffed with all kinds of systems for ensuring stability and traffic safety, which partly replace the driver in critical situations. Another element reminiscent of the 21st century.
Along with anti -lock and anti -circulation systems, Lexus is equipped with a particularly smart VSC (system of dynamic stabilization of the car). In the event of a danger of a breakdown in a skid or turning over a computer, considering signals from numerous sensors, it will independently correct the car, dropping the gas or slowing down the wheels. A special control lamp warns about the launch of the system.
The philosophy of choice
Mercedes, without any stretch, is the most prestigious brand in our country. And it will be like that for a long time.
But Lexus
It seemed to us that in part we were able to solve the basic principle of the philosophy of the Japanese: by combining the latest technologies and combining the best qualities of the most famous and prestigious cars, supplement them with their developments and get ahead of everyone else. Let it not be much, half a step, but on the verge of a millennium is enough. He will not be left without the attention of others, being in the stream. Only his appearance will make it clear that we have a very, very difficult car in front of us, and its owner knows the price of himself and his money. And at the same time, he is unusual to be captured by stereotypes.
Autopilot thanks Larin's Trading,
(095) 145-9660, for the Lexus GS300 test
and Panavto, (095) 974-6266, 974-7968,
for the Mercedes-Benz E320 test.
For the period of the test, cars were insured
in the company RESO-Garantia, (095) 250-3600, 255-6834.
The appearance and consumer qualities of the E-class and the 300th Lexus are similar. But their purchasing fates in Russia have nothing in common. At least for now.
With Mercedes, everything is clear - it has long been smeared in both windows and on the streets. Dispersing in Russia hundreds a year. Such a familiar Eshka. And the Lexus in applying to them a question about sales statistics sounds strange, if not mockingly, what statistics are there, ”Bitz’s Toyota Center answered,“ here, they sold one new Lexus and did not trade the same at all.
Among the few Russian adherents of Lexus are Leonid Agutin. There was a whole story. At one time, the singer decided that how it was - here he works, he receives a lot of money, and somewhere they all go away without any trace. But we must take everything that she gives from life, the singer thought and bought what she had long dreamed of - Lexus, who put in a guarded garage in a guarded parking lot. So the first attempt on the theft failed: the alarm worked, the thieves disappeared. However, the second time they prepared better, and everything went smoothly. Agutin did not begin to make another philosophy out of this tragedy from this tragedy: no need to change the lifestyle that you are used to. But here Lexus I found 80 percent of my time in the car, ”says Agutin. - Therefore, it should be big, very comfortable and very quickly ride: from Belyaevo to Vnukovo Airport - in 18 minutes. And then, there should be a very good audio system in it - only in the car I manage to listen to someone else's music.
And most importantly, this is probably what. Lexus is a machine that the owner has long dreamed of. There are few owners, but for them it is an suffered purchase, it is for a long time (if they do not steal). And Mercedes can be bought, ride and sell after a few months. As the incident, by the way, did the Agutinsky producer Oleg Nekrasov. Typically, Lev Leshchenko said: I love cars I already had ten pieces. I always wanted to buy Lincoln Mark VIII, but for some reason Mercedes turned up, and I bought it.
Model/Modification Lexus GS300 Mercedes-Benz E320
Toyota Motor Co. manufacturer Ltd. Daimler-Benz AG
The country of the producer Japan Germany
BODY
Type sedan sedan
Number of doors/places 4/5 4/5
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point electronic injection
The location in front is longitudinally
Working volume (cubic meter) 2997 3199
Number/location of cylinders 6/rowing 6/V-shaped
The diameter of the cylinder x Piston stroke (mm) 86.0x86.0 89.9x84.0
Compression degree 10.5: 1 10.0: 1
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 168 (228) at 6000 165 (224) at 5600
Moment (Nm at about./Min.) 298 at 4000 315 at 3000
The number of valves per cylinder 4 3
TRANSMISSION
A drive to the rear wheels with an anti -circus system on the rear wheels with an anti -circus system
Gearbox five -speed automatic tricy -mode five -speed automatic dual -mode
SUSPENSION
The front independent spring on double triangular levers with a reptile stability stabilizer is independent spring on double transverse triangular levers with a reptile stabilizer
The rear independent spring on double transverse levers with a reptile stability stabilizer Independent multi -link spring with a reptile stabilizer
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster
Min. Diameter of turn (m) 11 11.3
Brakes
Front disk ventilated
The rear disk solid
ABS four -channel with electronic control
Wheels
Tire size P225/55 VR16 215/55 WR16
Alloy wheels, 7.5jh16 '' Extractive, 7.7jx16 ''
Dimensions/Opam/Weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4810/1800/1450 4800/1800/14440
Wheel base (mm) 2800 2830
The track front/back (mm) 1535/1510 1550/1540
Clearance (mm) 150 160
Mass, dry/maximum (kg) 1665/2120 1505/2110
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 230 238
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 8.2 7.7
Economy
Fuel consumption (l/100 km):
highway 8.8 7.5
city 16 15.4
The price of the $ 84,000 $ 87,000 in Moscow
Andrey Timofeev, Andrey Bakuta, Alexey Ilyin (photo)
Source: "Autopilot"
