Lexus GS test drive since 2012 sedan

Icebreaker

The frozen easts of the European Automobile World are again split by a ram, sailing from the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan. The name of the eastern icebreaker is Lexus GS430.
Lexus decided to celebrate its ten-year anniversary to the invasion of the market sector, where Mercedes E-Klasse, five BMW, Audi A6 and recently joined Jaguar S-Type have firmly settled. The task, frankly, is not easy: the old light is not a pragmatic America to you, the name of the European is greatly affected by the name and nobility of the brand. And the owner of Lexus is Toyota - and does not hide that the new models of the GS series are oriented primarily on the people of rich and independent people. On those who are not constrained by corporate traditions and pseudopatriotism.
ON DECK. The body of a new, European version of GS is practically no different from what appeared a couple of years ago. It was intended exclusively by the American market, but in the summer of 1998 the first GS300 could be found in Russia, and a year later, the GS400 of the new design.
The current Lexus GS, bearing the name Toyota Aristo, is considered to be a stylish and successful car that has a unique and memorable appearance. The ellipse designed at the basis of the design, with one stroke of the brush by an oval contour of the side windows, carries both energetic aggressiveness and elegant solidity at the same time. Not to mention the practical benefit - the aerodynamic resistance coefficient (CI) is only 0.29 in this car.
For the European version, the designers and designers limited themselves to light tinting along the edges of the headlight diffusers and a small cross -seaming of the rear lights: the turning and rear lamp indicators moved from the middle to the lower part of the unit.
In the wheelhouse. The already good set, consisting of a complete electric packet, xenon, ABS, leather, natural wood and the like pleasant things, GS430 is supplemented precisely because it has always been considered the attributes of cars of the class higher. These are electrochromatic (self -combustible anti -bearing) rear -view mirrors, the automatic mode of turning on external lighting at dusk, the central dual -action castle (at the first stage only the driver's door opens) with an alarm and an electronic immobilizer, automatic adjustment of the headlight beam, which is pushing the driver's seat and the driver’s seat and the ignition. The steering column ... to the standard four, the front cerebral pillows were also added.
The climate control, separate for the driver and passengers, today you will surprise few people, but for Lexus they came up with their own highlight: if the air overboard is very dirty or smoky, the special system itself switches the climatic installation to the recirculation mode.
All this triumph of comfort is crowned by the Nakamichi audio system with a CD changer at 6 disks and an automatic sound system that regulates it depending on external noise. Moreover, the climate control, and the audio system and navigation are controlled by the touch of the finger to the corresponding icon on the multifunctional 17.5-centimeter display in the middle of the central console.
In the hold. The new engine is increased in a volume of 0.3 liters and, at first glance, weakened: 284 hp. Against 294 with the American GS400. But there is no seriously talking about the deterioration of traction characteristics for the sake of economy and environmental friendliness. Ten lost horses are compensated by speeds that reach maximum power - 5600 versus 6000 and, most importantly, the maximum torque, which became higher again at lower speeds.
When this engine breaks more than a two -ton car from the place to the accompaniment of a quiet bass roar so that the head of a relaxed satellite enters direct contact with the headrest, all doubts about the capabilities of the engine disappear. As well as in relation to automatic transmission. The machine reacts immediately to the gas pedal and not to notice any delay in switching. Especially when the Power mode is turned on - if you press the pedal properly, then on each gear, the engine is spent to 6200 rpm. If you want even more acceleration, then the checkpoint can be switched manually and the motor is promoted in each gear to the limit of 6500 rpm. For a calm economical riding, an eConomy mode is provided. There is a third option - for snow, ice and other winter charms.
In addition to the already known system for changing the VVT-I gas distribution phases in the GS430 engine, a variable geometry of the intake path is used, which helps to significantly improve the torque, especially on the bottom. As well as the ETSC-I complex, which, in fact, controls the position of the throttle, depending on the conditions of the machine movement. This system monitors a change in the speed of the machine in the unchanging position of the gas pedal, for example, when driving under the slope, and slightly strangles the engine, as if branding the engine. Or vice versa, when the speed falls on the rise, it provides a smooth increase in speed without switching to lower gears.
The driver, in fact, gives commands of the control unit, and he already leads the engine and transmission. However, it does this very, very correctly, interfering only in the most critical situations. Moreover, this also applies to brakes equally, where smart electronics also delve into a specific situation and corrects the brake force if necessary.
On the fairway. The GS430 suspension and steering were subjected to some revision, in accordance with the sled traditions of Europe, where, as is commonly believed, accelerations and braking are more intensively, cruising speed is higher, and more turns on the roads are greater than, for example, in America. Reinforced reptile stabilizers appeared, gas shock absorbers of low pressure. The geometry of the suspension is also designed to prevent the so -called dives and squats.
The fact that this whole complex works properly, we were convinced on the road abundant by bundles of turns, with protracted descents and lifts. The fact with what accuracy the GS430 prescribes a given trajectory, practically not rolling even in very critical maneuvers and turns is beyond praise. The steering deserves a similar assessment.
But electronics sometimes even interferes with its vigilance - an attempt to fit into a turn of the mother -in -law of the mother -in -law at a speed, two times exceeding the recommended road sign, caused an immediate and strict reaction of the dynamic stabilization system. By order of VSC, brake pads were scored and a snacking a jerk was followed by the tail-the ETSC-I system worked, instantly strangling the engine-the machine that had already begun, the machine restored normal movement. However, the button disconnecting the dynamic stabilization system is present. Only now, it seems to us that it does not turn off the system completely, but only a few disturbing the moment of operation, providing especially active drivers with the opportunity to cover the vapor and increase the number of gray hair. To then intervene and correct the situation. This luxurious sedan with a bright driver character is obviously capable of playing the role of an icebreaker in the stagnant market of Europe, and we hope that in Russia the fate of the Titanic will not suffer it.
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo of the author and Lexus

 

Source: "Autopilot"