Lexus GS series gains an attitude
Winfred B. Cross
THE CHARLOTTE POST
WEST PALM BEACH,
Fla. - Tire-smokin’ fun
and Lexus sound as likely
a combination as oil and
vinegar - they just don’t
mix.
That is until Lexus got
the brilliant idea to dial
“F” for fun when rethink
ing its GS series. Like all
Lexi, it was well built,
quiet and good to look at.
But it lacked the proper
motivation, namely a
kick-butt engine to go
with the comely body.
It now has both. The
1998 GS series comes in
two scrumptious flavors -
the spicy in line-six pow
ered GS300 and the fire
breathing V8-powered
GS400.
Let’s talk about that V8.
Most have come to love it
in the LS 400 for its
refinement. Lexus has
changed its attitude com
pletely by throwing in
variable valve timing
(WT-i) - the first-ever
used on a V8. I don’t
understand exactly how it
works or why, but I do
know it increases the
horsepower from 270 to
300. Torque is bumped
from 290 to 310.
What does all that
mean? How about 0-60
times of 5.7 seconds?
That’s according to Car
and Driver and Motor
Trend magazines. Lexus
says 6.0 seconds.
Whatever, it’s fast and
furious. The V8 has the
kind of kick-in-the-pants
feeling which will make
other manufacturers jeal
ous. Stomp the gas pedal
and the forward motion
plasters you against the
front seat. And the sound
is simply gorgeous.
The GS 300’s V6 also
uses WT-i. Its power
remains the same at 225
hp, but it comes on more
aggressively. Zero-to-60
mph has been trimmed to
7.6 seconds.
Lexus invited a bunch of
journalists to sample its
new line, minus the
coupes. Most of my time
was spent in the GS400
and I can tell you this is a
heck of a car
There is lots of interest
ing standard stuff, such
as traction control and
Vehicle Skid Control. VSC
works by using a motion
sensor and the traction
control and ABS systems.
If the car’s direction isn’t
the same as the driver’s
input - which happens
during severe oversteer
and understeer — VCS
kicks in by applying the
appropriate brake and
adjusting the engine’s
output. I rode in an LS400
1998 GS 400
for a demonstration of the
system and it’s mighty
impressive.
And there’s the slick
five-speed automatic
transmission. The shift
pattern is gated like a
Mercedes. It can also be
used like a manual by
shifting over to “M” and
using the gear selectors
under your thumbs on the
steering wheel. I didn’t
try it. I was enjoying the
automatic way too much.
A navigational system is
available. It works much
like Acura’s, except you
can’t makes changes
while the vehicle’s mov
ing. I did use that. Fellow
journalist Gregg Morris
and I got lost. The system
got us back on course -
and boy were we waaaaay
off - without a problem.
The cars look as good as
they drive The 300 and
400 are nearly identical,
except for engines and the
400’s optional big spoiler.
The shape is a lot like the
See LEXUS page 20C
GS 400 dash
Wheel Appeal, October 30, 1997, Page 17C