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New GS sports sedan shows off future Lexus style

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Alex Law
The powertraincombinations provide ''faster and substantially smoother acceleration for evenbetter performance,'' Payne notes, and, surprisingly, improved fuel economy.

''At speed,'' aspeople with ADD (Automotive Distraction Disorder) like to say, a new AdaptiveVariable Suspension ''allows the driver to fine-tune suspension damping withfour settings ranging from normal-mode for everyday driving to a sport-mode fora tighter, more precise feel.''

Payne also saysthat both engines will ''offer the performance enhancements and advancedvehicle control of the Lexus Vehicle Dynamic Management (VDM) system. ''Monitoringa variety of sensors, the system is capable of anticipating vehicle stabilityproblems and correcting them with a combination of braking and throttle control,''he explains, adding that the ''new VDM system is less intrusive thanconventional Vehicle Stability Control system, but ultimately more effective.'' 

While all thisgo-fast technology is happening behind the scenes, the GS's occupants will beable to enjoy ''a unique spatial feeling in the passenger compartment'' that issaid to be ''central to the new Lexus design direction.'' 

The interior ofthe new GS has ''a precision, luxury feel with real wood, polished metal andleather accents,'' says Payne. ''Everything inside the GS is designed andstyled to create a haven for peaceful comfort and relaxation, from contouredand supportive front seats with optional climate control to the standard10-speaker audio system with simple steering wheel controls.''

If that weren'tenough, the new Lexus GS ''also improves upon the increasingly complex natureof automotive technology,'' which is of course a dig at the iDrive and Comandsystems of BMW and Mercedes, respectively.

Anyway, the new GSoffers numerous standard features, such as keyless SmartAccess that allows thedriver to lock, unlock and start the car simply by touching the door handle (aslong as the keyfob is nearby) and then, with the brake pedal depressed, simplypressing a push-button to start. 

An advanced TirePressure Monitoring System can notify the driver of a ''significant'' loss inpressure in one or more tires, a condition that Payne correctly notes ''couldpotentially lead to premature tire wear and loss of control.'' 

The GS will alsofeature optional Adaptive Front lighting System, which helps illuminate a turnor curve as the driver steers into it.

A rear back-upcamera is optional, Payne says, and that provides ''an extra margin of confidencewhen reversing the vehicle.'' Available in conjunction with the optionalDVD-based navigation system, the back-up camera automatically projects an imageof what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigationscreen when the vehicle is in reverse.

 The overall goal with regard to technology inthe new GS, Payne explains, ''was to make it more intuitive, more intelligentand more relevant to the needs of its driver.'' Dig-dig again, BMW.

The GS 430 willalso offer an optional Pre-Collision System that Payne claims ''can help reducecollision injury and damage.'' The system uses a millimetre-wave radar sensorto detect obstacles in front of the car and a pre-collision system computerwith vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs that help to determinein advance whether a collision is unavoidable. If a collision is indeed deemed unavoidable the system then retractsfront seat belts and prepares Brake Assist for increased braking force to helpreduce collision speed. 
Alex Law
Alex Law
Automotive expert