Lexus GS300

by Mike Monk, CAR senior associate editorAlong with its baby brother – the IS250 – Lexus’ third generation GS300 is at the forefront of the brand’s local resurgence. Its understated opulence and refinement has Lexus convinced that it will make a bigger impact on the market than before.

Deriving its name from "Grand touring Saloon", the latest GS300 is a hunk of a car that is a stylish evolution of its predecessor. Still bearing its trademark dual headlamps, in all other respects the car has a far more contemporary presence, accented with light-catching crease lines.

Despite being only 20mm longer than its predecessor, it looks huge because of the relatively shallow, tapering "slingshot" glasshouse. The new GS combines a 50 mm longer wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs and a wider track to accommodate a spacious cabin area.

The GS300 is offered only with a 3,0-litre V6 coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, but in two spec levels: standard and SE. The latter’s introduction is November 2006, so the launch vehicles were all to standard spec. Not that I felt short-changed, because even in "basic" trim the GS has a lot of equipment.

Included in the features list are keyless entry, dual zone climate control, an excellent audio system, high-intensity discharge auto-levelling and adaptive headlamps, powered just about everything, amazingly clear Optitron instrumentation, a full complement of airbags, seat heating and some innovative LED courtesy lighting. There is not much more you could wish for, and the SE’s list of additional equipment is short, but sophisticated.

With the aid of dual VVT-i continuously variable inlet and exhaust valve timing, the V6 produces a healthy 183 kW at 6 200 r/min and 310 N.m of torque at 3 500, which provides the GS300 with more than adequate performance – 0-100 km/h in 7,2 seconds, and a 235 km/h top speed are claimed.

Not only that, the power delivery is silky-smooth, with the adaptive transmission playing its part keeping everything operating at the optimum level. Attack the red line and the motor delivers a sporty but muted typical V6 sound, revving freely. You can manually override if you wish, though. Combined cycle fuel economy is an impressive 9,8 litres/100 km.

The car is uncannily quiet, even over coarse surfaces, with no wind and hardly any road roar being evident. Under-body elements, including an engine undercover, front and rear tyre farings, front and rear floor and fuel tank covers, further aid vehicle stability and keep wind and road noise at a minimum.

The all-electric power steering is probably the best I have experienced to date, being linear in response, even around the straight-ahead position, and offering a level of feel akin to that of an hydraulic set-up. The suspension soaks up most irregularities without transmitting the shocks to the cabin, and the handling is utterly benign. It is all very, very refined.

My only gripe – and it is a personal one – is that with the admittedly stylish but nonetheless narrow glass depth, cars fitted with dark trim can feel a tad claustrophobic. However, there are trim colour options (depending to an extent on body colour), which alleviate the feeling.

The GS300 sells for R425 400, and the SE will come in at R457 350.

LEXUS GS 300: Features Specification
	GS300 AT	GS300 SE AT
1. Interior comfort
Leather interior	X	X
Wood trim	X	X
Electric seat adjustment with memory function for driver & passenger seats including steering and mirrors	X	X
Seat heaters and coolers for driver and front passenger	Heater only	X
Leather steering wheel with full function buttons	X	X
Smoker package	X	X
Automatic air conditioning with split temp setting and filters	X	X
5 head restraints, adjustable front & rear	X	X
Courtesy lights with automatic function and soft on/off dimming	X	X
Reading lights front and rear	X	X
Illuminated entry system	X	X
Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function	X	X
Cruise control	X	X
Green anti-glare strip windscreen	X	X
Drink holders, front and rear	X	X
Armrest centre front with stowage compartment	X	X
Central air outlet, rear	X	X
Auto lights On/Off	X	X
On-board tool kit	X	X
Rain sensor wiper activation	X	X
‘Lights on’ warning	X	X
Armrest centre rear	X	X
Pockets on back of front seats	X	X
Luggage opener electric	X	X
Luggage compartment lid with soft close	X	X
Moon roof	–	X
Green tinted windows all round	X	X
Control display with 6.5′ colour monitor	X	X
On board computer	X	X
Power windows, front and rear, with one-touch control	X	X
Glove compartment, lockable and Illuminated	X	X
Outside temperature display	X	X
AM/FM/LW, 6 CD front loader Lexus Premium Sound System	X	Mark Levinson
Sound system – Volume speed sensor	X	X
EMV with navigation and Bluetooth	No NAVI	X
Park distance control with sonar	X	X
Back guide monitor	–	X
Electric sun shade	X	X
2. Safety Features
Airbags – driver and front passenger	X	X
Airbags – side for driver and front passenger	X	X
Airbags – knee for driver and front passenger	X	X
Airbags – curtain	X	X
Airbags – side for rear passengers	X	X
Anti-theft system with immobiliser	X	X
ISOFIX child seat anchorage	X	X
First aid kit	X	X
Wireless door lock with motion sensor and auto release	X	X
Full aluminium spare wheel	X	X
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)	X	X
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)	X	X
Brake Assist System (BAS)	X	X
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)	X	X
Traction Control (TRC)	X	X
3. Exterior Features
Front & rear foglamps	X	X
HID and AFS with automatic leveling	X	X
Headlamp cleaner	X	X
Exterior mirrors electro-chromatic, electric and heated	X	X
Rear boot spoiler	–	X
Tyre & Rim – 225/50 R17	X	X
X Standard specification
- Specification not available