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Lexus GS300
Staff Reporter
Posted Fri, 09 May 2008
The Lexus GS range gets a visual upgrade as well as enhanced comfort and safety specs.
The latest GS300 features subtly revised exterior styling thanks to changes to the front and rear bumper treatment including a redesigned front grille, different 17-inch alloy wheels, redesigned outer door handles and improved side mirrors with indicator lamps.
The paint palette has been adjusted: three colours have been discontinued (DK. Purple MM, Bluish Pearl CS, and Beige MM), replaced by two new additions (Frosty Pearl and Beige ME).
The interior features new seat ornaments and smooth leather for the GS300, while the higher specced SE model gets semi-aniline leather as standard. The instrument binnacle is enhanced with a centre cluster garnish and there's a completely new multi-function leather steering wheel. The shift gate has been changed, as has the switch module for the fuel and boot opener release.
Both models receive an improved automatic door lock function and tyre pressure monitoring system. The electric seat adjustment has memory functions for driver and front passenger as well as seat heaters. Dual zone climate control with a pollen filter is also included and electric adjustment for the steering wheel remains.
The interior lighting package features bright white LED illumination. Cruise control, electrochromatic rear view mirrors, automatic lights, and an easy-close boot lid are all standard. One-touch electric windows and a six-CD Lexus Premium Sound System are also included.
The GS300 features a 6.5-inch colour monitor as standard with EMV including navigation. Park Distance Control (PDC) is dropped on the GS300 in favour of a reverse camera that was previously only the domain of the GS300 SE.
The SE continues to be identified by a subtle lip spoiler on the boot lid and adds coolers for the front seats, a Mark Levinson sound system, and a moon roof, while the reverse camera includes guides on the colour monitor.
Power remains courtesy of Lexus’ 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with Dual VVT-I. It develops 183kW at 6200rpm and 310Nm of torque at 3500 rpm, awarding the GS300 claimed performance figures of 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h.
Drive is to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission that allows for a claimed fuel consumption of 9.8 l/100km in the combined cycle.
The Lexus GS300 features 10 airbags; two-stage Dual Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, as well as side curtain airbags. Other standard safety features include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist that allows the GS 300 to be steered under emergency stopping conditions. If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, Brake Assist generates a larger braking force to assist the driver.
Also standard is TRC traction control while the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system automatically regulates engine power and the braking force of each wheel in the event of oversteer or understeer in a corner.
Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS), which swivels the headlamps through up to 15 degrees, helps to illuminate a bend as the driver steers into it.
The enhanced third generation GS is covered by Lexus’ four years/100 000km maintenance plan.
Pricing:
Lexus GS300: R466 700
Lexus GS300 SE: R509 600
