Test drive Lexus GS 2000 - 2005 sedan

Tie the soul to the body

Since this year, Lexus GS has been delivered to Europe with the V8 motor
The eight -cylinder Lexus GS400 appeared in 1998 was originally intended for the North American market. Leaned Europeans were content with the GS300 model with a modest three -liter six (ZR, 1998, No. 5). However, the main competitors- the Mercedes of the E-Class and the BMW of the 5th series, in the top versions of which four- and even five-liter engines, forced the company to put the V8 to Europe.
Corrections had to be made to the design of the engine. Partly to comply with the more stringent ecological norms of Euro III introduced since this year. The inevitable decrease in power was, however, minimized, increasing the working volume from 4.0 to 4.3 liters. As a result, the modified motor develops 283 hp, not taking only a dozen horses against the predecessor. But it practically did not affect the dynamics. And how much more the owner of the owner is the Schildik 430 on the feed of the car instead of some 400, and even more so 300 - in numbers, do not measure. However, the new motor can not only warm the soul, but also shake it pretty. If not to shake it.
We ask the faint of heart ... not to rush - you should write on the hub of the steering wheel. Respectable appearance, a rich interior, silence in the cabin relax and envelops comfort. But it is worth carefully stepping on the accelerator pedal ... Literally after the pedal, the car without visible tension, like shot from sling, takes forward your body, printed to the back of the seat, and the stunned consciousness freezes at the starting place and only then rushes Invent.
Of course, there are cars and faster, although, by and large, how many capable of acceleration to hundreds are a little more than six seconds and lay the speedometer arrow on 250? The excellent dynamics is amazed not so much as its atypical combination with the appearance of a solid sedan, from which you do not expect such agility. Having been used, you already fasten your soul to the body in advance and begin to enjoy the rapid power.
The three hundredth also has an update - two Down buttons appeared on the steering wheel, allowing to force gears down, say, before turning or overtaking, when there is no time to remove the hands from the steering wheel. There would be a couple more up -up buttons - and it would be just like in formula 1.
As for the other differences in the 2001 model year, there are at least: a slightly different pattern of radiator cladding, rear lights with smooth, without glass diffuser, aluminum rims around the devices and a brilliant emblem in the center of the steering wheel. It is difficult to add anything new to the richest package-even in the standard there are a steering wheel automatically pushing when landing and eating, the function of memory adjustment, steering wheel and mirrors, powerful climatic and audio systems, trac-control (TRC) and electronic stabilization system (VSC ).
The new GS300 and GS430 Lexus have already appeared in Russia at a price - tie the soul to the body - 60 and 70 thousand dollars, respectively.

Lexus GS430 (GS300)
General data: number of places - 5; Equipped mass - 1690 (1665) kg; Full mass - 2145 (2120) kg; maximum speed - 250 (230) km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 6.3 (8.2) s; Fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 9.4/17.3 (8.8/16.0) l/100 km. Engine: V-shaped eight-cylinder (in-line six-cylinder) with adjustable phases of gas distribution, four valves per cylinder, two camshafts in each head, distributed injection, located in the front longitudinal; working volume - 4293 (2997) SMZ; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 91.0x82.5 (86.0x86.0) mm; compression degree - 10.5; Power - 208 (163) kW/283 (222) l. with. at 5600 (5800) rpm; Maximum torque - 417 (298) N.M at 3500 (3800) rpm. Transmission: gearbox - automatic five -speed; Transporting numbers: I - 3.36; II - 2.18; III - 1.42; IV - 1.00; V - 0.75; h. X. - 3.43; The main program is 3.27 (3.61). Tires: 235/45R17 (225/55R6).

Text, photo / Yuri Nechetov
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"