Test drive Lexus GS 2000 - 2005 sedan
Adult boys sedan
He is sports and comfortable. His master is confident in himself. This is Lexus GS 430Personally, I still feel it more than I know; The time comes in the life of a man, when powerful, nimble, but small cars are no longer to face. Yes, and he is bored constantly playing the gas pedal, too briskly manipulating the gearbox with a handle and very often squeeze a tight clutch, and the same demon sits in the edge, he was always, and did not come with the first gray hair, and no, no, he demands his portion of adrenaline . Then the time comes the time of the sports class sedans, on which it is not shameful to come to any meeting, and if the boyish dare leaves the breeze with the breeze. One of the last and most interesting new products in this segment of the Russian Lexus GS 430 market.
These thoughts occurred to me, frankly, for a reason. In this cold morning, I didn’t want to test any car the least in the world, to look for a suitable place to shoot and run around it with a camera.
Because the day before I got sick, the head from the drugs was in the fog, and the body demanded home warmth, comfort and a cup of hot tea with raspberries. But there was nowhere to go, and now I am already approaching the car frozen overnight. In complete inability to adequately assess its external virtues.
I sit down, start the engine. Immediately, I almost intuitively find the heating button and install a 22-degree climate control system. And I decide to myself that now I will not move until there will be no in the salon, like on the southern coast of France. Or even Spain. I did not have time to think about it, the first waves of heat from the seat walked through the real body and forced to relax. The air in the cabin was warming quickly, and metamorphoses began. I suddenly felt how convenient a soft leather chair is moderately; And he noticed that the three separate windows in front of the driver were black and lifeless when I got into the car for a long time, and the devices glowing with a branded milk-white color. That is, in the head it was amazing to clarify. Perhaps, under the influence of heat, the morning tablet finally dissolved and gave the effect. But I was already sure that the Lexus salon is the most suitable place in Moscow and the Moscow region. And he began to keep an eye on this place.
The first thing I appreciated is ergonomics. Not a single button, handle, switch should not last, everything is at hand. Of course, all the adjustments of the chair, the steering wheel (drown out the engine, pull out the key from the ignition lock, and it helpfully drives back and upward, facilitating the landing), the side mirrors are equipped with electric drives. The driver and front passenger shares a massive central tunnel, on both sides of which, by the way, a different microclimate can be installed. The lever of the automatic checkpoint is moved along a kind of groove, the scheme of which, indicating the operating mode of the operation, is currently displayed on the instrument panel.
However, not only their eyes began to see, but also to hear their ears. And I was amazed at absolute silence with a working engine and an almost complete lack of vibrations. But now I wanted not silence, but music. And I took up the remote control of the audio system with the radio and the cd changer, which, it turned out, was hidden in the glove compartment. It's funny, but the discs themselves must be inserted face down, but it is found. The system sounds just excellent. 6 columns and subwoofer should arrange, it seems, even a demanding music lover. It is also convenient to control the audio system using buttons located on the steering wheel.
I felt objectively better. And since I am still unable to offer a cup of tea with raspberry Lexus, it's time to go.
Wide spectrum medicine
Here's what I say: the healing properties of automobile comfort and adrenaline have not been studied enough. Perhaps I really needed some other pills. But only I went to the Moscow Ring Road and pressed the accelerator pedal, how the runny nose passed. OK! The rearrangement, sharp overtaking stopped overtaking in the throat. On the winding path of the track near Moscow, the severity in the joints disappeared and finally cleared up in the head. Lexus literally charges with energy. An uncomplicated advertising slogan exceptional sports sedan reflects the true qualities of the car.
First of all, acceleration. It is very impressive, and 283 horsepower is enough to provide the machine with an additional breakthrough from almost any speed. Not even a strong press on the gas pedal causes something like an explosion under the hood. If desired, you can easily tear the leading rear wheels into a slip. And when the tachometer hand crosses the mark of 3500 rpm, the sound of the engine and the exhaust system that pleases the sound of the engine and exhaust system begins to penetrate the salon. It does not destroy comfort, but only returns a sense of reality to the driver. I’ll say more: at first I did not seek to rush and overtake at all, only slightly pressing the pedal. But for some reason, other participants in the movement somehow moved too slowly. He looked at the speedometer and there already for 100 km/h. That is, I gained speed completely imperceptibly for myself. Liked. And if you switch a 5-speed automatic transmission from the usual traffic mode to sports (there is also winter)? The character of Lexus has changed beyond recognition, as if it had dashed it. Yes, he just provokes a quick ride! However, the box, of course, is designed for unhurried traffic jams.
The steering match the dynamic characteristics of the machine. In its acuity and reactions to turns, Lexus lamb is not inferior to other sportsmen, not to mention sedans of this class. At the same time, the steering wheel is quite hard, and I think only male hands should still lie on it.
The suspension is exactly what I was waiting for. Yes, the potholes of our roads are transmitted to the body, but it is not rolled up on turns, and it is a pleasure to go to the GS 430. Now, it seems, now he will go to the drift, he fits into the turn as a textbook, as if checking for the strength of the roller of lateral support. Numerous electronic systems insure the driver in an emergency. However, it must be taken into account that they are also configured in sports. For example, you overdo it at a speed at a bend. Only when the car already begins to carry, the stabilization systems (VSC) and the control of traction (TRC) will be turned on. It feels like next to you is not so much a reliable assistant as an experienced instructor, helping to master the intricacies of driving an rear -wheel drive car. It makes it possible to feel the moment of drift, and a few more moments, so that a capable student can independently correct the error. Are you confident? Then turn off the stabilization system and you can go sideways, turn around in place, etc. But always remember: a powerful car and rear -wheel drive is not a joke.
The brakes are also quite adequate. To moderately, a hard pedal allows you to clearly dose the force. There are ABS, brake force distribution systems (EBD) and emergency braking (BASS), capable of both insured and ensure effective braking at any speed.
... In the middle of the day it warmed around, and I myself warmed up, so I was happy to stop for shooting and examined the car. You can’t call the Lexus GS 430 exterior. And right: it's about the most powerful version. The front end looks both solid and sporty at the same time. Four headlights, a radiator grill, tilted back, as if by a stream of oncoming wind. Developed spoilers at the bottom of the body, a clearly noticeable anti -wing on the lid of the trunk, two chrome pipe of the exhaust system in the lower part of the rear bumper speaks of the nature and outstanding abilities of the machine. The appearance is completed by cast discs 17 inches in diameter with low -profile rubber 235/45. Designers seemed to have done everything possible to emphasize the viability and good shape of the future owner. And therefore, the company expects that they will pay for it.
How much to pay?
Like all good things. 71,900 dollars. True, we are talking about a tested machine in which an electric hatch is installed, which is an option and increases the price by $ 2000.
The GS 430 has a lot of competitors. Among the main Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5th series, Audi A6. Nevertheless, Lexus has prospects in the Russian market, and not bad. Even before the appearance of official dealers on our roads, many cars appeared under this brand. Now they will be, we can assume, even more. Since the car manufacturer intends to conduct a very aggressive company promotion. In addition, the basic equipment of the car is quite rich and favorably distinguishes Lexus from many competitors. For example, the tested GS 430 in the standard, in addition to all of the above, has xenon headlights, cruise control, decoration of the salon and steering wheel with natural wood, and B airbags. In addition, the Lexus warranty is 3 years or 100 thousand kilometers.
... I lingered with the test and evening, finally getting home, I heard from my friend: so you were on the test or lay in the hospital under a dropper? You look good ...
Andrey Osipov
A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 7 (10), 2002]
