2006 Lexus GS Road Test

Speaking of electronic driver's aids, the adaptive variable shocks that improve the LS 430's handling so dramatically are also

GS 430s come standard with 18-inch alloy rims on grippy low-profile P245/40Z18 performance tires. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

available on the new GS, although when set to "Sport" mode in GS guise the suspension is much tauter. The car's damping rates can be adjusted via an easily actuated console mounted button. While I enjoyed the aggressive sport mode when coursing through mountain roads, during regular driving I left it in normal-mode which offered a night and day improvement in ride comfort.

Speaking of threshold cornering prowess, I could have used greater lateral support while tackling the twisties. My smallish frame slid around more than I would have liked, causing me to put more pressure on the steering wheel in order to hold me into place than is optimal when trying to negotiate tight turns.

Adding to the top-line GS 430's tenacity are standard 18-inch alloy rims on grippy low-profile P245/40Z18 performance tires front and rear. Base and AWD GS 300s run on standard 17-inch alloy rims shod with P225/50R17s.

If tire size is difficult for you to judge from a distance, a more obvious visual clue for figuring out if the GS you're looking at is a 300 or 430 is the latter model's

Helping to keep everything in control is the GS's Electronically Controlled Braking system. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

lower front lip spoiler, incorporating fog lamps. The latter two don't really add much to the car's performance capability, but look nice just the same.

Helping to keep everything in control is the car's Electronically Controlled Braking system, yes more drive-by-wire technology, as well as the GS 430's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), two electronic driver's aids that have the ability of making up for significant driver error. The brakes pulled the big sedan down to standstill whenever called upon, and VDIM, which orchestrates key electronic aids to work in unison, such as stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, etc, is truly inspirational when negotiating tight corners at high speed or while dealing with panic situations.