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| Big sports sedan
with world-class performance and luxury
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The GS is the bad boy of the
Lexus sedan family, the one with the most aggressive personality
and most eccentric styling. Last year, the top-level GS 430
acquired a new 4.3-liter 300-horsepower V8 with 325 foot-pounds
of torque. That extra boost propelled the GS 430 from 0 to
60 mph in less than 6 seconds, quicker than comparable models
from Acura, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
While the GS 430 gets the headlines, don't underestimate
the punch of the GS 300. With 220 horsepower from its six-cylinder
engine, the GS 300 squirts from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.8 seconds.
Both GS sedans are fun to drive and deliver impressive handling,
supreme comfort, and typical Lexus build quality, which is
consistently ranked among the best in the industry.
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Two models are available: the six-cylinder GS 300 ($38,605)
and the V8-powered GS 430 ($47,405). The GS 300 engine is
a high-output, 220-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6. The wickedly
fun GS 430 comes with a 4.3-liter double overhead-cam V8
that produces 300 horsepower. Both are equipped with five-speed
electronically
controlled automatic transmissions, but the GS 300 features
E-Shift manual controls on the spokes of the steering wheel.
In addition to the more potent engine, the GS 430 provides
leather for the seats, steering wheel, and door panels;
memory for the driver's seat, outside mirrors and steering
column; high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, and slightly
wider P225/55R16 tires. A leather package for the GS 300
costs $1,660. DVD navigation, a six-disc CD changer, and
a Mark Levinson audio system are also offered, either individually
or as a $7,945 package. The GS 430 we drove featured the
$2,520 Premium Package, which includes a six-disc in-dash
CD changer, power moonroof, and heated front seats.
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The Lexus GS makes a statement from all angles. From
the side, it presents a dramatically sloping nose, with
the lower edge of the windshield pushed well forward. Its
graceful roofline arches back to a stubby rear deck. A chrome
strip surrounds the side windows and accents the shape of
the glass. This strikes an
interesting contrast with the flat black window posts. For
engineering reasons, the rear door glass is divided into
a panel that rolls down, and separate fixed pane, a compromise
which breaks up the otherwise graceful sweep of glass.
Unique football-shaped headlamps sweep up and back
into the fenders. Large multi-lens taillights wrap around
to the sides, reaffirming the same statement from behind.
Small, separate brake lights add interest at the rear. At
the bottom of the rear fascia, a gentle, race car-like curl
between the twin tailpipes improves aerodynamics. New six-spoke
aluminum wheels say the GS 430 means business. An
optional rear spoiler ($440) heightens the GS 430's appearance
as a high-performance sedan, but we question its function
and think the car looks cleaner without it.
Some critics have charged that Lexus cars, though nearly
flawless in quality, are lacking in character. Clearly,
this is not the case with the GS series.
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