Lexus GS430
Buying a Lexus has always been about putting practicality ahead of panache. While most buyers in the prestige market opt for Mercedes, BMW and Audi, the Japanese firm's cars have lacked the style to really compete... until now.
Lexus wants buyers who don't go for the obvious prestige brands, and with this new car it may have more chance of grabbing the public's attention. The GS430's gearchange and braking actions could be smoother, but it's still fun to drive and desirable. At £46,755, the flagship isn't cheap but it comes with more standard kit than European rivals.
Buying a Lexus has always been about putting practicality ahead of panache. While most buyers in the prestige market opt for Mercedes, BMW and Audi, the Japanese firm's cars have lacked the style to really compete... until now.
The sleek new GS range has come not a second too soon. Again there are two versions - the six-cylinder GS300 and the V8-engined GS430. The latter's 279bhp unit is carried over from the previous line-up, whereas the former now boasts a smooth 245bhp V6 instead of a straight-six.
This time they come wrapped in a body whose elegant lines are much more attractive than its predecessor's. What's more, the GS430 is the definition of hi-tech, offering a system similar to BMW's Active Steering.
While the new set-up doesn't mimic the German one's sharper response at low speeds, it applies steering automatically when needed. This helps to correct a skid, or keeps the Lexus straight when braking or accelerating on a slippery surface.
And then there's the brake-by-wire system, which uses radar from the adaptive cruise control to apply brake assist if it sees an obstruction coming up quickly. You need to be pressing the pedal already, but the system kicks in even before you've had time to work out how much more quickly you need to stop. The output from the V8 isn't vast but it's easily exploited, with a fine spread of torque and a six-speed automatic box to make good use of it.
Downchanges can be jerky at times, though, and there are no manual shift controls by the wheel. Both GS models deliver fluency and balance, having great front-end grip and accurate rear-drive handling. The steering is well weighted but a little numb, and you're hardly aware of the automatic corrections even when cornering hard. There's clearly a sporty bias, which delivers a lumpy ride on poor surfaces, made worse by the 18-inch alloy wheels even in the 'normal' setting of the GS430's adaptive dampers. But it's a price worth paying for the fun on offer.
A Lexus should have a special interior and, unlike the old GS, the new car fits the bill. Neat touches include a drop-down panel for secondary swit-ches, 12 airbags and glossy veneer, as well as keyless entry and starting.
That said, the quality and attention to detail don't blow you away as they did in the original LS400. Whether the newcomer has enough personality to draw sales from the leading German marques remains to be seen.
