ShareThisQ: When is a Lexus not a Lexus?
A: When it arrives as the 2013 GS sedan.
The GS, a midsize, midluxury sport sedan, is the first of a new line of goods from the upscale division of Toyota. It has an aggressive new face that will become the signature adornment of other Lexus vehicles to come.
More than that, however, it is a different direction for a relatively young brand that has been successful from the get-go.
From its inception in 1991, Lexus aimed to establish itself as an Asian luxury alternative to import brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. It succeeded, but mostly by being different.
Where the European cars -- and their offshoot utility vehicles -- focused on driver involvement, Lexus preferred to keep drivers somewhat at a distance. Its cars were crafted to do everything unobtrusively and well, to the point where many people griped that they didn't feel involved with their rides.
The concept changed somewhat with the introduction in 2001 of the Lexus IS models -- compact cars that poked at the 3 Series BMW, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. But they caught on only with buyers who valued the Lexus dependability more than the Germans' driving dynamics.
It's a whole new game with the 2013 Lexus GS; it represents a determined effort to challenge the German brands on their own turf, and it largely succeeds.
Even the 450h hybrid, which trumpets fuel economy, is a hard charger on the road and the race track, with performance nearly indistinguishable from the standard GS and even the F-Sport, which has additional handling and braking enhancements.
Zero to 60 miles an hour acceleration times, according the Lexus's specifications, are in the sub-six-second range for all models, even those with all-wheel drive. Top speeds range from 131 to 142.
There no longer are any V8 engines in the GS models. The most powerful is the hybrid 450h, which delivers a combined 338 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine boosted by two electric motors. Even with all that power, the 450h boasts city/highway fuel economy numbers of 29/34 miles to the gallon.
Other GS models are no slouches, either. Their 3.5-liter V6 engines produce 306 horsepower. Rear-drive versions are rated at 19/28 miles to the gallon while all-wheel drivers come in at 19/26, although obviously not when accelerating to 60 in the claimed 5.6 seconds.
But the most noticeable difference in the 2013 GS cars is the interior ambiance and the handling feel. They exhibit a solid, planted feel with a rigor-mortis body structure, communicative steering, stupendous brakes and a firm but compliant ride. Lexus engineers incorporated a host of modifications to deliver the combination. Among them: high-strength steel and additional welds in the body, aluminum suspension components and an electric power steering unit in which the motor cuddles around the steering rack.
F-Sport models also are available with the Lexus dynamic handling system, which includes variable-ratio steering, rear-wheel steering and an adaptive suspension system in concert with traction and stability control, antilock brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels with rear tires that are wider than those in front.
All GS models also come standard with four driving modes -- eco, normal, sport and sport plus -- that work with both the hybrid's gear-driven, continuously variable transmission and the standard six-speed automatic transmission, which has manual control and steering-wheel mounted shift paddles.
The sport and sport plus modes tighten the shock absorbers and the steering feel, as well as adjusting the transmission for more aggressive performance.
Of course, the track-style tuning enhancements are aimed at the hard-core enthusiasts. But the base GS, the focus here, has more than enough of everything for the main body of customers. Interiors have embellishments like silky bamboo wood trim and concert-hall audio systems.
Optional power front seatbacks even bend in the middle to provide additional comfort for drivers, and there's generous knee and head room in the back seat, although the driveline hump and rock-hard padding in the middle effectively excludes a fifth passenger. The trunk is generously sized and padded but oddly has an exposed C-hinge on only the right side that could damage luggage. The left hinge is shielded.
Especially in the GS F-Sport, Lexus has a credible contender against the midsize German sport/luxury sedans. The only thing it lacks is an ultra high-performance engine like those in the BMW M cars, the Mercedes AMG and the Audi S.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 2013 Lexus GS 300 four-door sedan.
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 306 horsepower.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode.
Overall length: 15 feet 11 inches.
EPA passenger/trunk volume: 98/14 cubic feet.
Weight: 3,795 pounds.
EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 19/28 miles to the gallon.
Base price, including destination charge: $47,775.
Price as tested: $50,910.
(Comments or suggestions? Contact Frank Aukofer at driveways6(at)gmail.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com.)
