Lexus GS test drive since 2012 sedan

Movement for the better

People often do not accept the new because of fears that the changes will not lead to improvements. But the words are different and worse not synonyms.
 
Probably, the attitude to changes depends on the individual attitudes of a person. Take at least fans of the Mercedes-Benz brand or, say, Jaguar: the departure from the recognizable style and the search for new ones, the introduction of fundamentally other engines that are unlike their beloved public will most likely be accepted in bayonets. At the same time, Lexus owners are usually progressive, and most importantly young, like the brand itself, people living dynamically. Therefore, they are more loyal to the changes: well, there was a GS once turned Toyota Aristo with smooth in line six and a Mercedes design, well, it did not become, and what? But the new model is distinguished by its own recognizable style, as well as a ruler of beautiful power units. Welcome to our lives, a stranger! Only one question arises: which Lexus GS series GS open your heart?
 
General impressions
To maintain the recognition of the next generation of a car the most important task of any designer. Nobody wants the admirers of the samples of previous episodes to ask: what is this in general? After all, they are the main target audience for most automakers. It is also necessary to attract new buyers. Given these circumstances, we can say that the artists who painted the Lexus GS worked brilliantly: with the obvious resemblance to the previous generation, the model received many new interesting features.
 
The salon in GS is such that even the owners of BMW and Mercedes-Benz will envy: wonderful decoration materials, amazing design, magnificent ergonomics, the Japanese quickly learned to create first-class interiors! In addition, the model has a decent capacity, as well as a worthy level of sled comfort.
 
At the same time, the Lexus business class demonstrates very lively manageability: the car performs all the driver’s commands clearly and without side effects, in addition it is equipped with powerful brakes (even the basic version). The dynamics depends on the installed engine, but there is no sluggish in principle, the weakest GS300, and it accelerates very briskly.
 
 
Choosing a body
There is no alternative. As in all previous generations, the current Lexus GS is only 4-door.
 
Sources of movement
The base engine gives the machine a good dynamics and excellent fuel efficiency
 
Unlike the configurations of the engines housing, the GS series has a lot. The base with a working volume of 3 liters gives 245 hp. (The minimum cost of a machine with such a motor is 1,884,000 rubles or 1,812,500 rubles, if we are talking about a 2008 car). It should be noted that the Lexus GS300 has a slightly smaller power of the 3GR-FSE power unit than, say, for the right-handed Toyota Mark X, where a similar engine produces 256 hp. A trifle, but pleasant: the car tax will be more than two times lower than on the same Mark. Do not have to go bankrupt on gasoline. The power unit is joined exclusively with a 6-speed automatic.
 
It is difficult to say which of the two Lexus the highest echelon is considered the crown of the family, but a slightly lower price (2,695,000 or 2,342,500 rubles, depending on the year of release) and the junior index, perhaps, take this title from the GS450H with a hybrid installation. In this version, a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 paired with an electric motor develops 218 kW, allowing the machine to shoot up to hundreds of only 5.9 C and demonstrate phenomenal efficiency (in mixed mode, fuel consumption is no more than 8 liters of 95th gasoline). It is bad that the dynamics directly depends on the battery charge: if the energy is not enough, then the GS450H does not go in full force.
 
But the GS460 with 347. Silly V8 and an 8-band automatic transmission are steadily accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.8 s. Yes, it is more expensive than hybrid modification (2 467 500.2 806 000 rubles), and gasoline will have to be filled more often (according to the manufacturer, in mixed mode it spends 3 liters more fuel than that of the GS450H). But isn't that stability? Moreover, people do not buy such cars in order to drag themselves in the right row.
 
Basic levels of equipment
The poorest (conditionally) level of execution GS300 is called Executive (from 1 812 500 to 1,884,000 rubles). The car is by no means scarce: an excellent musical complex with a touch screen, a multifunctional steering wheel, leather upholstery of seats, cruise control, two-zone climate control, heating the front seats, a steering column adjustable with buttons, a rear view chamber, a complete set of electronic systems for providing an active active (ABS, stabilization system, anti -book, etc.) and passive (full set of pillows) safety, active suspension, electric drive with memory, xenon headlights with washer, parking radar and rain sensor.
 
Few? Then it is worth taking a closer look at Premium (2,004,000 rubles. For the GS300 of 2009, the release and 1,910,000 rubles for the 2008 model). The main differences from Executive decoration of the steering wheel, more expensive leather, front seat ventilation and a spoiler spoiler.
 
The most expensive Lexus GS300 is Luxury worth from 2 007 500 to 2,140,000 rubles. It is distinguished from other modifications by a high-class Mark LevinSon installation with 14 speakers, as well as a DVD chamber. Is it worth overpaying for this, everyone decides for himself, however, the choice is provided only by customers GS300, expensive GS450H and GS460 are only luxury.
 
Additives?
And for owners who are not enough of the above, Lexus offers various accessories. So, the car can be provided with beautiful wheels, a very stylish body kit. Moreover, the elements they like are ordered both separately and all together.
 
As for the cabin, the IPOD or iPhone set is designed for it, stylish thresholds, branded rugs (rubber or piles), proprietary children's chair. In addition, it is possible to install the pre -heater of Webasto invaluable options for winter.
 
COMPETITION
 
Infiniti M35/M45
Infiniti for Lexus the most important opponent: similar sizes, similar engines, almost the same basic prices, even the image of both machines is close. The hybrid power plant for Infiniti is not provided, but in the base the car is equipped with an all-wheel drive transmission, which the GS series does not have.
 
BMW 5 -rehe
The fifth series of BMW is one of the leading business class players, as well as a full-time athlete of the segment. The line of engines includes both weak motors, which Lexus do not have and prohibitively powerful. In addition, 5.reihe has all -wheel drive. Other things being equal, BMW is much more expensive than the GS, and Bavarz has long been time to update.
 
Volvo S80
The Swedish business class express has always been distinguished by a high level of comfort, well-developed passive safety, restrained design and calm disposition. And the price of Volvo is quite moderate: say, GS300 is several hundred thousand more than the S80 3.2.

 
 
 

Source: Magazine Cars and Prices July 20, 2009.