Expert Review: 2006 Lexus GS 430

As an exercise in software engineering, the new Lexus GS sedans may be the most impressive things on four wheels. There are so many high tech features on this thing that just making sure that the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system can keep the Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system from mucking up the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) without impinging on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system's operation or clogging up the Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) or driving the electronically controlled throttle nuts is an achievement of which Microsoft would be proud. And that's before throwing in the complexity of the optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) that tautens the suspension, preemptively retracts the seat belts, pre-initializes the BA system, and automatically applies the brake when the driver doesn't if the PCS determines a collision is unavoidable. Or the even starting to consider the Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) in the stereo system that maintains consistent sound levels at varying vehicle speeds.

For the record, the acronyms for the technologies in the above paragraph use full half of the alphabet's 26 letters. As you read this Lexus engineers are surely hard at work coming up with fresh gadgets that can make use of the F, H, J, K, N, O, Q, T, U, W, X, Y, and Z.

But no one has ever been attracted to a car because it packs some damned sexy algorithms. And in the ways that have always mattered, the new GS is an altogether impressive collection of bits, bytes, and pieces.

Hitting the German's soft spot

Aimed straight at the now-vulnerable BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class, the 2006 GS is at Lexus dealers now in both rear-drive GS300 and GS430 forms. The GS300 drops the venerable Supra straight-six in favor of a new 245-horsepower, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, VVT-i 3GR-FSE V-6. This is yet another member of the V-6 family from which also spawns the 4.0-liter V-6 used in Toyota trucks and the 3.5-liter unit planted in the new Toyota Avalon but throws in the novelty of direct gasoline injection. The GS 430 on the other hand gets the carryover 3UZ-FE 300-horsepower, 4.3-liter, all-aluminum, DOHC, 32-valve, VVT-I V-8 from 2005's GS 430 and the larger LS 430. Both engines are backed by new six-speed automatic transmissions - the A960E in the GS 300 and A761E in the GS 430. There's also a new all-wheel-drive version of the GS 300 and that gets its own six-speed automatic known as the A760H (an all-wheel-drive version of the V-8 car is promised for later).

While the GS bodywork is new it carries forward themes that were established in the car's first two generations including the thick C-pillars and wedge-shaped nose. But this car is a much more sophisticated design with nicely sculpted sides and wheel openings drawn closely around the tires. The corner-mounted headlight buckets are particularly good-looking pieces of architecture. GS 300's get ten-spoke, 17-inch wheels and P225/50R17 tires while the 430 is equipped with a set of five-spoke 18s inside P245/40R18 tires.

Virtually every conceivable luxury amenity comes standard on both GS models and what isn't conceivable is likely on the options list. But that's true for virtually all cars in this $50K-and-up price range and what distinguishes the cars is how they work.

Sophisticated works

The GS works flat-out wonderfully. Both engines have the temperaments of puppy dogs and the eagerness of she-wolves in heat. Of course the V-8 is quicker, but the six is more than adequate for virtually anyone who doesn't crave the biggest-block bragging rights. The chassis is supple and responsive with the double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension soaking up bumps with grace, aplomb, and without ruffling even the chiffon on your prom date's dress.

Inside the GS is plush without being either over-decorated or overwhelmed by technical do-hickeys. Though this is one of the world's most technically complex machines (car, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft), Lexus makes most of it transparent to the driver. In fact it even hides some of the less often used controls (like mirror adjustments and trip odometer re-set) in a pod to the left of the steering wheel that emerges from the dash when they are needed and then recedes back into its cubbyhole when they aren't. The seats feel great, the instrumentation glow lustrously, and the Mark Levinson audio system could only be bettered if the car came equipped with the ghosts of Ella Fitzgerald and the entire Duke Ellington Orchestra performing concerts at the base of the windshield.

But the one disconcerting element in the GS is that you're never quite sure that you're getting honest reactions from the car or a simulation of honest reactions from the car's computers. Is this real steering feedback? Or the electronic power steering system shuttling just the right amount of effort and response to make you think this is genuinely perfect steering? Are the brakes providing progressive, well-controlled modulation? Or are the braking systems flailing away down there while sending soothing signals to your left foot? Who knows?

In so many ways the new GS is more attractive than either the 5-Series or the E-Class (it's better looking than the 5, and drives better than the E) that it's bound to take sales from those two icons. But at some point are we actually driving a car? Or just along for the ride in a really good driving simulator?


2006 Lexus GS 430
Base Price:  $51,125
Engine: 4.3-liter V-8, 300 hp/325 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, with manual-shift, power, and snow modes
Wheelbase: 112.1 in
Length x width x height: 190.0 x 71.7 x 56.1 in
Curb weight: 3745 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 18/25 mpg (est.)
Safety Features: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, Brake Assist, Pre-Collsion System, dual-stage front airbags, front knee bags, front, seat-mounted side airbags, head curtain bags for all rows, seatbelt pre-tensioners for all outboard seats
Major Standard Features: Electric tilt-telescope steering wheel; ten-way front power memory seats; dual climate control; navigation system; 130-watt six-disc audio system; cruise control; power windows; mirrors, and locks; SmartAccess keyless entry and ignition; auto on-off lamps; Bluetooth wireless; hands-free phone system (requires owner's Bluetooth-equipped cellphone)
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles basic warranty, six years/70,000 miles powertrain