Test drive Lexus GS 2005 - 2008 sedan

Another lexus

The third -generation GS model is not much reminiscent of predecessors
 
To start with the fact that Lexus GS III is the first car created in accordance with the new philosophy of L-Fancy (in Russian it sounds somewhat strange, L-Iza). If you try to briefly explain what this means, we can say - this means a new approach to design, interior decoration and running qualities. That in combination, from a marketing point of view, should provide the brand with a breakthrough in the Old World, and in Japan itself, where Lexus was not sold before. Initially sharpened under the American market and seriously supplied the ocean of the recognized premium grades, Lexus cars (I emphasize, it is about cars, SUVs have not yet been accepted) in Europe coolly. And this year the company plans to sell only five thousand cars here. Yes, competing with Mercedes -Benz, BMW and Audi is not an easy task. What, in addition to the price, should convince Europeans change the prevailing tastes? And what gives the basis to attribute GS to world products that are able to satisfy the buyer in any part of the world?
 
On the face is elegant, cozy inside
 
A new generation GS cars are the type of machines that live better than in photographs. When about a year ago I saw the first pictures of the model, they left me indifferent. Perhaps subconsciously, according to the old memory, I was looking for copying features familiar to German cars. Now, having met a real Lexus GS, I can say that this is an original and very attractive outwardly car. Perhaps he looks like the money that they ask for him. Yes, in order not to forget: compared to the predecessor, the GS length increased by 20 mm (and the wheelbase by as much as 50 mm), the width is also by 20 mm, but the height decreased by 15 mm.
 
From my point of view, the designers managed to find a good compromise between solidity and sports, prestige and dynamics, avant -garde and traditions. Yes, in appearance I will accurately determine - this is Lexus. But then I will add - this is another Lexus. More expressive and assembled. You know, he called me an association with a nouveau rod at the royal reception. An impeccable tailcoat, butterfly, good manners. But there is something alarming - obvious independence, or something. This intrigues and is of interest. To which, in fact, he is counting on.
 
In the cabin, I felt like in an expensive suit, sewn by personal order and taking into account all the features of the figure. A soft, supple seat is successfully profiled, support is felt on the sides - you will not fall out on the turn. The ranges of electrical adjustments - both seats and a steering column - seem unlimited, and the steering wheel sheathed with skin and wood is pleasant to the touch. Three rings on the instrument panel hide deeply drowned steel dials with a pleasant eye with a pleasant eye and well -readable numbers. Divine glass is separated from the rest of the world, as if you got into another dimension - no noise outside. The metal button replaced the familiar ignition lock. On the central console there is a full -color, chrome rim screen with sensory buttons on the sides. The lever of the automatic KP is sheathed with leather and has inserts of the same natural tree as the steering wheel and the entire central tunnel. A wide armrest is convenient and soft, and besides, it can shift. Having shifted it a little back, I found the buttons responsible for heating and ventilation of the front seats, the shutdown of the anti -circus system and the stiffness of the stiffness of the suspensions. Yes, the Lexus GS in Topmodification 430 is equipped with ADS (Adaptive in the ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION), which can independently adjust the rigidity of shock absorbers depending on the driving and quality style, and also provides the opportunity to choose one of the two provided modes - Normal and Sport.
 
On the left side, closer to the door, the control keyboard is hidden by a number of additional functions. Frankly, I did not find it right away, but, in search of the adjustment of the mirrors, I came across a button, pressed it, and the keyboard sailed from the console. It is on it that the mirror control unit, the park-tronics system, the rear electric curtain and some other systems are located. It is noteworthy in the cabin and the fact that its creators carried out serious work even on such a trifle as the speed of opening a niche for glasses in the ceiling and a glove compartment. Funny: you quickly press the button - it quickly opens, press slowly - the speed decreases.
 
And finally, one cannot but say a few words about the audio system. All test cars had the Mark & \u200b\u200bLevinson music center, which was specially designed for the new generation of Lexus GS. It consists of an audio cassette player and a chainer built into the central console on 6 discs, perceiving all formats and capable of losing even DVD. The sound pours a total of 14 columns, including one 10-inch subwoofer. The trunk has a 11-channel amplifier with a total capacity of 330 watts, which also performs the function of the musical processor. And, of course, the system of volumetric sound Surround Sound 7.1 completes the formation of a musical scene inside the car. By the way, during the test, 6 music discs for every taste were installed in Ceinter - from U2 and KIN to jazz and classics. I hasten to notice that any melody is reproduced with excellent clarity.
 
GS430: powerful but too smart
 
Like the previous generation of the model, GS will be offered with two power units - a new 6 -cylinder engine of 3.0 liters and B8 with a volume of 4.3 liters. Both engines are combined exclusively with a 6-speed automatic KP with the possibility of manual switching.
 
The first luxurious version of the Lexus GS 430 fell into my hands and, as expected, was impressed by acceleration. For a set of 100 km/h, the car requires only 6.1 seconds, but this is noteworthy, you practically do not feel this dynamics. More precisely, the power with which the body presses to the back of the seat is very feeling very, but nothing more. You notice the difference between a leisurely defile through the streets of the city and a movement at a speed of 140 km/h on the freeway only by the frequency of the landscape change outside the window. The noise of the power unit begins to penetrate the salon only after the tachometer arrow passes 4500. Until this moment, complete silence and the absence of the slightest vibrations. That is, from the point of view of comfort - five with a plus.
 
I did not like one thing - the algorithm for the work of the Park -Tronics system. I, imagine, is activated and disabled manually! Using a button on the same keyboard that leaves the left of the steering wheel. Perhaps this is some sense, but during a city ride, the system is able to annoy. For example, in Cannes I did not pay attention that on a small screen near the speedometer, the icon of a working park-tronics is displayed, and at each stop at a traffic light, he began to meal mercilessly, notifying the dangerous intimacy ahead of the standing car, then about the car too close behind the car . If you turn it off, then when parking it does not automatically turn on. By the way, here is another curious detail associated with the rear view camera, permitted near the license plate. It is worth turning on the rear gear, as the corresponding image will appear on the screen, and with a rather distant promising one, and with green and red lines. Green notify you of the direction of movement, and the red shows the dimensions. Moreover, if a park-tronel is operating, then a small icon with the image of a steering wheel and an arrow that recommends turning the steering wheel in a given direction will appear on the screen. One thing is sad - in Russia there will be no this option, the company rightly decided that there is too much dirt on our roads, so that the eyes of the camera would still not see anything ...
 
However, back to the running qualities of GS. The mighty B8 with variable phases of gas distribution with more than compensates for a slight thoughtful automatic transmission. Of course, you can translate the transmission into Sport mode by simply by pressing the desired key, and then the transition time from one step to the other will decrease sharply. And the automatic transmission itself is able to adapt to the driving style. If there is a desire, you can switch the programs yourself, you just have to move the automatic transmission lever to the left. However, the speed of changing the steps will be the same as in sports mode. Although when reaching the maximum permissible revolutions, the electronics will not turn on the next step, only the limiter will work. I tried all this when I moved from the highway to winding paths. By the way, on the highway Lexus GS showed amazing stability, even at a speed of 240 km/h clearly following the turns of the steering wheel. And in the bends he did not grieve at all with the curves of the body. On the serpentine, I noted the shortcomings - from my subjective point of view - a completely different kind.
 
The top version of the Lexus GS 430 is standardly equipped with the VDIM system (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System). In fact, this is an electronic brain that instantly reads and analyzes information from numerous sensors, the commander of the ABS, the stabilization system, the anti -circulation system and, in addition, the system in the GRUS (in the ARIABLE Gear Ratio Steering). That is, Lexus became the following after the BMW car manufacturer, who decided to pamper the driver with active steering. True, the pluses of the Japanese system should be attributed not as striking as the Bavarians, a change in the nature of the management. The electronic motor mounted on the steering rack changes the number of roller stories from the edge to the edge within 2.7 - 3.2. And this is good, because during traveling around the towns and even on the freeway, I did not feel strong intervention in my actions by electronics. Difficulties appeared later, precisely on the winding paths of the south of France.
 
It seemed to me that the main task embedded in the technology of VDIM is to maintain the stability of the car at all costs. So, passing the turn around the bend, I kept caught myself on a strange feeling - as if I were not arguing the steering wheel. And sometimes - on the contrary, I turn the steering wheel to a greater angle. Moreover, the feedback was some kind of unnatural. It seems that the effort is sufficient, but here is a critical moment, the beginning of demolition, and on the steering wheel - empty. Honestly, I did not immediately understand that the matter was in smart steering (a press release should not be read after, but before the test!). In fact, the sensors constantly monitor the speed of the car, the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the degree of pressing to the accelerator, longitudinal and transverse accelerations. The speed of the computer is large and therefore it is able to determine that in a fraction of a second, for example, a skid begins. Immediately after this, the brain will straighten the steering wheel, without the participation of the driver. If this is not enough, then the stabilization system will begin to work - it will reduce the supply of fuel and the engine speed, and even slow down one or more wheels. You can’t turn it off, by the way,. So it turned out that in those turns where I really wanted to call the outs of stern in order to fit into the turn, the electronics began to actively counteract this, and I had to stupidly argue the steering wheel and try not to think about the possible demolition in this case. The most unpleasant thing is that the system can also adjust the steering wheel in the middle of the turn. As a result, there is a risk of getting out of it along a too wide arc, then the steering wheel will have to be arguing at the end of the turn, which should not notice, not the best idea. And do not forget that everything happened on dry asphalt, where the grip of tires with the canvas is great. I don’t even want to think about how this system can work in winter.
 
On the other hand, I understand perfectly well that inimal drivers are designed for inexperienced drivers who do not think about how the car will behave in the next second. Well, then - yes, she is certainly useful. I don’t like it when they hold me, excuse me, by the teapot, so as not to say more rude. In a word, those who are used to handling the car on you and keep everything under personal control, I risk advising to do without such a system. But even those who profess a calm driving style should still act carefully, especially on slippery coating. Do not forget that the task of the VDIM to maintain the stability of the car, the system is not able to take into account the presence of curbs or a chipper near a car.
 
Moreover, WDIM works in tandem with another system - PCS (Pre -Crash Safety System). Several times it was she who thoroughly attracted me to the seat, pulling the seat belts. Apparently, the computer considered at such moments that an accident was possible, and was preparing for this. Lexus even arranged a demonstration of the operation of electronic systems at the airfield. First, we got acquainted with VDIM, slowing down on the so -called mixture - under the right wheels of the asphalt, under the left. In this case, the electronics itself turned the steering wheel a little in order to maintain a straightforward position of the body. Then we accelerated to 50 km/h and crashed into a small rubber column on the road. So, if you do not slow down, then when the obstacle approaches the PCS, I pulled the seat belts and prepared for the blow. It was worth touching the brake pedal a little, the Brake Assist system connected to the PCS and with maximum force pressed the brake pads to the disks. It is good that the brakes themselves are not activated, although the company's representatives assured us that they have already tested such systems in Japan, but still far from serial production. Fortunately, I want to notice. And what I paid attention to is the brakes themselves. They are very powerful, but it is almost impossible to dose force on the pedals. It is worth touching the pedal a little, as the car begins to slow down sharply - I would like a little greater freedom and a longer stroke of the pedal itself.
 
And in conclusion of the story about GS 430, I will say a few words about the suspensions. I have already noted that the most powerful version is equipped with adaptive shock absorbers. So, I want to note that the difference between Sport and Normal modes is not very significant. Yes, the cranes of the body during the sports algorithm for the operation of the pendants are noticeably smaller, but the rigidity of the springs themselves, even in Normal mode, is already noticeable. In any position, it is shaking on irregularities. True, the whole thing is in 18-inch tires included in the so-called sports package. Low -profile tires have all responsibility for smoothing irregularities to the suspension, which responds to potholes and fossa with booby knocks. But the most remarkable in another: GS 300 is strikingly different from the GS 430.
 
GS300: Joy of the second day
 
The whole next day I spent the GS300 test drive, and was very pleased with this. Of course, in dynamics, the car with the B6 engine is slightly inferior to the 8-cylinder version, but the sound of the motor is better. It has more sports notes, especially at high speeds. In addition, this motor is equipped with a Dual VVTI system, that is, electronics changes the degree of opening of not only inlet, but also exhaust valves. In fact, this means that at any engine speed, you are guaranteed a good pickup. But another thing is important: the GS 300 does not install the VDIM and PCS systems and therefore I personally liked the running qualities of this version much more. Here is a good feedback on the steering wheel, and quite predictable, transparent, like a crystal, the behavior of a machine in critical modes. Even the brake pedal turned out to be more pliable, which made it possible to better control the slowdown.
 
Of course, the stabilization system is present, and it also cannot be turned off, but the limit of the car is perfectly felt that it gives more pleasure from driving. For example, if at the entrance to the GS 430, a pause was felt, as if the machine analyzed your actions, then on the GS 300 everything is clear and understandable. And the front of this modification is a little easier, which also improves the behavioral instincts of the car. The suspension, according to the sensations, is the same, and therefore the cranes of the body are not large, and the ability to keep the road pleasantly surprises. In a word, GS 300 seemed to me a more balanced and correct, typical rear -wheel drive car. In addition, it is cheaper
 
Pessimism from the opposite
 
The start of the third generation of GS in Russia is scheduled for April 28, 2005. For GS 300, two configurations are provided - Executive and Premium, while the GS 430 will be offered only in the Premium version. Standard EXECTIVE equipment is rich, it includes xenon headlights, the BSC course stability system, AFS adaptive front headlights, cruise control, air pressure control and much more, which can be described in more detail by a dealership specialist. The Premium version is also the Mark & \u200b\u200bLevinson audio system, a steering wheel with wooden inserts, an electric hatch and a trunk lid spoiler.
 
The price of GS 300 Executive - $ 61 900, Premium - $ 65 900, and for the GS 430 you will have to pay $ 81,900. This year the company plans to sell about five hundred cars in Russia, of which about 15%will have to live for a top version. It is worth noting that this is a rather pessimistic forecast, if only because in 2004 Lexus sold 3559 cars in Russia, closely approaching Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And if we take into account that in 2004 the premium car segment increased by 30.6%, and the share of E-class cars was 27%, demonstrating an increase of 33.7%, I dare to assume that this pessimism is from the opposite. That is, from the fact that it is not based on demand, but rather on the capabilities of the company for the supply of cars to Russia, which Toyota/Lexus has difficulties.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov
 
 

A source: "Automobile Izvestia"