Lexus GS test drive since 2012 sedan

Spindle of youth

On the wide German autobahns and narrow Austrian serpentines, the previous generation of the Japanese Lexus GS business sedan has never met. However, the new GS, which made a curtsy towards youth and sports, is designed to rectify this situation. How? I received the answer on the route Munich-Kitzbuel.
The chief engineer of the latest, fourth generation of Lexus GS, Yoshikhiko Kanamori, noticeably younger than Shigetoshi Mioshi, who headed the last GS project. At a press conference, Kanamori-san has a noticeable excitement and even light shyness, they are so modest people from the country of the rising sun. But the Japanese can safely be proud of his brainchild, the new Lexus GS turned out to be magnificent.
The main touch in the design that has already become traditional, starting with the CT200H hatchback, a grate of a radiator in the form of a spindle, which is boldly emphasized by the strokes of LED running lights in headlights and a hump on the hood. The corners, in comparison with the rest of the generation, hid, the capsule of the cabin is pulled back and already at the first glance it is clear that the car looks angrier and swimmer.
The length and wheelbase remained the same 4850 and 2850 mm, respectively, the width increased by 20 mm, and a height by 25 or 40 mm, depending on the version. Because of the last point, the Japanese had to work hard on the aerodynamics: the gaps between the body panels and the distance between the wheeled arches and tires decreased, and the rear lighting equipment received special ribs to optimize the air flow. As a result, the aerodynamic resistance coefficient was reduced to 0.26.
In the cabin, the same motive is noticeable as the quality of the finishing materials is now at a significantly higher level, and most importantly, everything here has become so pleasant, as if in BMW. The central console was crowned the largest among serial cars with a 12.3-inch LCD display, slightly deployed to the driver. When asked why it was not made sensory, Lexus representatives reply that they deliberately placed the screen high, so the driver, looking at him, barely removes his eyes from the road. And so that the control of the multimedia system is not difficult, a smart joystick is located on the armrest. The principle of action is like a computer mouse, the cursor of which itself captures the shortcuts closest to it. It is convenient enough.
In expensive trim levels, Lexus GS boasts very comfortable multi -contouring seats with a huge amount of adjustments and ventilation is not enough massage. In the second row in front of the knees of passengers, the lumen increased by 20 mm, and above the head by 25 mm.
The noise insulation of the cabin is made at a height, and the running air flow forces to increase the volume of the Mark Levinson audio system only on the approach to the level of 160 along the speedometer. Mark Levinson continues to be an exclusive Lexus partner, and once again the company created an amazing 835-watt installation of 17 speakers specifically for the new GS.
Three versions of the new business class sedan from Lexus are delivered to the Russian market: rear-wheel drive GS250, all-wheel drive GS350 AWD and the flagship GS450H hybrid. The 350s of the cars did not bring the Japanese to the presentation, so it was possible to try out a peak power of 345 liters. With. GS450H and 209-blue 250th.
In addition, some of the hybrid ji-es were equipped with a F-Sport package, which includes the sports design of bumpers and a radiator grill, as well as a small spoiler on the trunk cover. The Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system, which combines the steering mechanism with a variable transfer of rear wheels, is available as an option for F-SPORT. In the first case, an active gearbox built into the steering column changes the transfer ratio from 10.3 in parking to 13.2 at cruising speeds. In the second, the electric motor, installed in the rear suspension subframe, moves the rail so that at speeds up to 80 km/h the rear and front wheels are rotated mainly in opposite directions to improve maneuverability, when the speedometer arrow exceeds 80, then in the same and the same Side to reduce excess rotation.
Acceleration GS450H is amazingly soft and smooth, but at the same time very convincing 5.9 C to 100 km/h. This smoothness is provided by the device of hybrid transmission (see insert), which can change the gear ratio of the gear ratio, like a regular variator.
Now only the second generation of the GS hybrid drive with a gas-electrical power plant debuted. And although his scheme has not changed, nevertheless, the Japanese did a lot of work to optimize various characteristics. So, the battery is still behind the back seats, but is no longer horizontally, but vertically, so the luggage volume increased by 61%. The inverter that converts the constant voltage into alternating and vice versa, decreased in size, and in both electric machines, liquid cooling is now used instead of air. The average fuel consumption of the Lexus GS450H decreased by 31% (to 5.8 l/ 100 km), and CO2 emissions fell to 137 g/ km.
Note that the Nickel-Metalhydrid Battery is supplied by the joint venture of Toyota and Panasonic. Interestingly, in the USA, a guarantee for all components of a hybrid drive is 7 years, and in Russia 5.
On the perfectly even mountain roads, Austria under the aim of video cameras feel the difference between the usual GS450H and GS450H F-SPORT with all the controlled wheels is almost impossible for both cars, both cars are very well prescribed the trajectory in response to the rotation of the steering wheel. But the difference in the settings of the shock absorbers, which can be ensured by moving from four available modes of the car in Sport+, is noticeable. The damping coefficient increases, and the buildup practically disappears, and almost without harm to the smoothness of the course.
As for the first two ECO and Normal modes, the steering wheel is very light in them, and the reactions to the gas pedal are too thoughtful. Sport without plus improves this situation, but the suspension characteristics do not change. Unlimited German autobahns showed that at speeds for 150 km/h it is best to choose Sport+, then the car behaves perfectly, although it still does not get German monumentality to this, the absent clear zero at the helm.
I honestly tried to find the line between the recovery braking when the pads were not involved, and I could not be traditional hydraulic. In any range of pedal, slowing down is predictable and effective.
If we talk about hybrid fuel economy, then with a low degree of pressing the accelerator, exclusively a traction electric motor with a capacity of 200 liters works. with., however, the capacity of the 288-volt battery was enough for about 2 km, after which the internal combustion engine turned on to recharge the dried battery through the generator. At the same time, the on -board computer showed that the average fuel consumption is 8.6 l/100 km at first glance, a worthy indicator, but do not seduce, because we almost did not press the gas. It is worth it to light up for all 5.9 seconds to hundreds, as the appetite immediately returns us from electric heaven to gasoline soil
Compared to the GS450H, the modest GS250 does not have enough power to easily perform the overtaking of slow and neat German low -commissions. But what is the sound of a 2.5-liter six growl no worse than some V8. Accelerate and listen to the voice of the motor always gives great pleasure. He would have another 50 horses would be completely perfect.
The adaptive cruise control and the monitoring system of dead areas, the indicator of which in the case of turning the turning indicator in a dangerous situation begins to flash, calling you attention to the obstacle. The projection display on the windshield lags behind the quality of the graphics from BMW, but the dashboard is one of the best in the class very beautiful and informative.
Lexus plans for 2013 to implement about 6,000 GS in Europe. In Russia last year, only 311 jies were sold. For comparison: Mercedes-Benz E-class and BMW 5th series diverged in a circulation of 8325 and 4448 cars, respectively. I am sure that with the advent of a new GS generation, the situation should change significantly.
Well, the image of the new GS is a modern Japanese spindle of youth created by Kanamori-san and Lexus. But, with all due respect to Japanese engineers and their brainchild, it still does not have too much to the drive and attack of every blind turn. Yes, and is it necessary? After all, the car creeps up along the road, behaves reliably on the arcs of turns, has a cool interior and a stylish appearance, the new Lexus GS is created for people who do not age their souls.

The Lexus GS250 The most modest ji-ES in the line made his own older brothers GS350 and GS450H later. Two hundred fifties is equipped with a 2.5-liter V-shaped six with direct fuel injection and couplings changes in gas distribution phases both on inlet and final shafts. The engine is paired with a 6-speed hydromechanical automatic machine, the commands for switching can be sent from the steering wheel petals. A pleasant feature of the GS250 was the juicy sound of the engine, which penetrates the salon thanks to a special resonator suitable for the motor shield. This car is for calm drivers.

The layout of the GS450H hybrid is located in front and electromechanical transmission, and the NI-MH-battery behind. The operating modes are displayed on the display in the central console
 

Source: Cars