Although Lexus has generally drawn criticism for its rubbery steering, the GS feels sharp, and precise with the fat, grippy wheel in hand. It still falls short of the BMW in the feedback department however; communication could be better.
Driving enthusiasts can opt for the F-Sport package which includes adaptive dampers, bigger brakes, re-mapped throttle response, variable ratio steering – and in the RWD model – Dynamic Rear Wheel Steering, in which the rear wheels get 2 degrees of manoeuvrability, greatly reducing the amount of steering input needed. Visual cues include a more aggressive grille and 19” gunmetal grey rims.
Flying down the straight of Laguna Seca and into the infamous "Corkscrew" hairpin, the Lexus GS felt tight, responsive and displayed not a bit of body roll. Nice too, is the sound of the exhaust that's been piped into the cabin at high speed.
For a brand that's traditionally been equated with driver disconnect, Lexus's new 2013 GS offers a surprisingly engaging performance that rivals that of its German competitors.
Driving enthusiasts can opt for the F-Sport package which includes adaptive dampers, bigger brakes, re-mapped throttle response, variable ratio steering – and in the RWD model – Dynamic Rear Wheel Steering, in which the rear wheels get 2 degrees of manoeuvrability, greatly reducing the amount of steering input needed. Visual cues include a more aggressive grille and 19” gunmetal grey rims.
Flying down the straight of Laguna Seca and into the infamous "Corkscrew" hairpin, the Lexus GS felt tight, responsive and displayed not a bit of body roll. Nice too, is the sound of the exhaust that's been piped into the cabin at high speed.
For a brand that's traditionally been equated with driver disconnect, Lexus's new 2013 GS offers a surprisingly engaging performance that rivals that of its German competitors.
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| The GS comes in three models – the $51,900 GS 350 RWD, the $54,900 GS 350 AWD and the range-topping $64,650 hybrid GS 450h. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
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