The new braking system integrates four-channel, four-sensor ABS with large, vented discs at all four wheels. To ensure that the brakes achieve optimum stopping dynamics, they're augmented by Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); Traction Control (TRC); and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). The 300's front discs measure 11.6 inches, while the 430 is fitted with giant 13.1-inch. discs. Both cars have 12.2-inch rear discs.
Though the GS300 uses a conventional brake booster, GS430s also get what Lexus calls Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB). This system detects the length of the brake pedal stroke applied by the driver and then sends the data to a computer that calculates the optimum brake force for each wheel in that particular situation. High-friction brake pads complete the upgrades to handle the extra beef of the V8.

The GS430 also sports an even more sophisticated handling technology as part of its standard package: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management or VDIM. Such data as steering angle, yaw rate, deceleration, brake pressure, and wheel speed are processed much earlier than was possible before VDIM, which then sets in motion a number of measures to ensure stable handling at the very limits of adhesion. In contrast to conventional systems, which only react to a car's loss of control, VDIM was developed to anticipate a dangerous situation and then, by making certain corrections, allows the driver to maintain a brisk pace without even realizing the system is at work.
VDIM integrates operation of various active systems, including VSC, TRC, Brake Assist, ABS and Electronic Throttle Control with intelligence (ETC-I, of course). Three new technologies are also brought into concert with VDIM: Electric Power Steering (EPS); Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB), a brake-by-wire system.

Also available: Intuitive Park Assist ($500) and the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($2,850). Intuitive Park Assist, a feature of previous Lexus models, now considers steering angle input in the equation and offers contact avoidance advice (through graphics in the touchscreen) for heightened driver awareness while negotiating tight parking spots. This advice is displayed in the lower center of the speedometer, an area that is also used to show information from the trip computer, radar cruise status, distance monitoring and various warning messages.
PCS goes even further and uses a millimeter-wave radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car. A computer then measures vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate to calculate the likelihood of a collision. If it looks like there will an unavoidable front-end collision, PCS switches the AVS to Sport mode to reduce nose dive and enhance emergency handling, preemptively retracts the seat belts and gets Brake Assist ready to go so that increased braking arrives instantaneously with application of the pedal. And if the driver doesn't react quickly enough, or not at all, Active Braking then kicks in and automatically applies the brakes, up to a deceleration of 0.3 g.

These unprecedented measures still might not meet the demands of drivers in icy climes, in which case there awaits the GS300 AWD. The full-time all-wheel-drive system's basic elements are front and rear differentials and a center transfer case. Acting from the information provided by wheel sensors, the transfer case varies torque output between the front or rear axles to retain traction. During take-offs, while accelerating or on very slippery surfaces, torque output is evenly divided between the axles. It also can vary up to 30/70 front to rear if Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) determines it's necessary to keep the car going in the proper direction.
A secondary level of the AWD system is Electronic Traction Control (ETC), which, when it senses wheel slippage, applies the brakes on that particular wheel and then transfers torque to the non-slipping wheel on the same axle. With this electronic safety net in operation, anyone who sticks a new GS in a snowbank has got it coming.

We should all live in houses as well appointed, and as well designed for simple use, as the Lexus GS. Open any one of the four doors (don't worry about having to unlock the car, you've got keyless entry) and you're greeted by aluminum alloy Lexus-stamped scuff plates, the scent of leather and cut-pile carpeting, and the gleam of highly burnished hardwood trim. The handsome wood and leather- trimmed steering wheel, electronically adjustable for rake and reach, frames a newly designed dash panel. Following established Lexus standard, each gauge, button, wheel, and lever is clearly identified by easily read words or symbols, and the three-pod analog instrument cluster's white-on-black graphics can be grasped at a glance.
A 160-mph speedometer, with an integrated electronic digital odometer and twin trip meters, is flanked to the left by a tachometer and to the right by fuel and water temperature gauges and lights indicating gear choice. Dominating the center console is a 7-inch touch screen, flanked by two banks of menu buttons. Entering the various menus and navigating through the submenus doesn't take too much brainpower, but like most multi-tasking systems, a day spent with the owner's manual on a quiet side street is the best way to figure out how to work everything properly.

Still, there are so many systems / operations / functions to either operate or monitor that Lexus chose to hide some of the switches. One of the hideaways is accessed via a door that drops down out of the dash panel to the left of the steering wheel. Here you'll find switches for outside mirrors, fuel lid, trunk release, meter brightness control (more on this later), odometer / trip meter, headlamp washers, rear sunshade, park assist, AFS (lots more on this later), and interior lamps. More hidden switches are under the sliding top of the center console: adaptive variable suspension, transmission mode and front seat heaters and ventilators. Some might find it tedious to access these functions in these ways, but it does go a long way to cleaning up the console of excessive clutter.

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Another innovative cockpit feature is the variable transparency lens covering the gauge cluster. Called an electronic chromatic device, it automatically changes the diffusion of the lens to optimize viewing depending on the intensity of light in the cabin.

The interior leather/wood schemes are Ash with black bird's-eye maple; Cashmere with brown bird's-eye maple or Black with walnut. Fit and finish is impeccable, down to the finest details. For instance, every compartment door or cover opens at exactly the same speed, with identical levels of damping and feel. Tactile luxury at its most basic.
Definitely not basic is the standard Lexus audio stack, comprised of an AM/FM ETR with auto-reverse cassette and 6-disc, in-dash CD changer and DVD player (DVDs can be viewed only when the shifter is in Park and the parking brake is engaged), 10 speakers and a 134-watt amplifier. No MP3 capability is yet offered, but the GS is pre-wired for XM Satellite Radio. Audiophiles can opt for the Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system, developed especially for the GS interior. Utilizing Discrete 5.1 surround playback via a 7.1 channel speaker topology, it sends the vibes through 14 speakers via 11 channels of amplification by an advanced discrete amplifier with 330 watts. It sounds quite amazing.