Lexus presented the new 2013 GS sedan to the world in Pebble Beach, California during the Monterey Automotive Event weekend, what I call M.A.W. On Thursday, August 18th, Lexus presented a GS that had previously needed edgier styling and better driving dynamics. Lexus delivered. This sedan could finally bring Lexus back into the forefront for enthusiasts in the mid-size luxury segment as well as those seeking the latest in high-tech.Lexus put on a world-class event for those attending with both Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda and Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager talking about the brand and the car itself. Lexus wants passion and emotion in their products. The GS 350 is a positive step in that direction.
The GS series has sold over 300,000 units and has always been a standard for reliability. What it lacked was driving dynamics along with styling to match. Now it has and all-new platform with crisp, sharp lines, great style and a highly advanced driver interactive interior.
Matching the first-rate atmosphere and presentation, the new GS 350 is quite a stunner for a 4-door sedan. It has styling cues from the LS460 and the LS-A supercar. Body lines are tight and crisp with very small gaps. As mentioned in the presentation, it was built without compromise.
Promising improved driving dynamics with the driver selectable ride and dynamic control, a knob/dial has a Sport and Sport Plus modes in addition to Eco and Normal modes. Although the gasoline engine is rated at “only” 306 horsepower provided premium gas is used, this is the most powerful base engine among the competition. Hybrid and F-Sport editions will follow. Surprisingly, there was no mention of the 8-speed automatic transmission. Assuming the V-8 and 8-speed automatic transmission from the IS-F is used in the F sport edition; this roomier, more advanced sedan will be a serious sport sedan contender.
The technology and features are impressive. The industry’s largest interactive display screen (it goes way beyond navigation) measures 12.3 inches. Sitting under a shaded hood, it features a high definition screen display with split-screen capability. It features online application access, highly advanced voice recognition and the best search function in an automobile.
Also included are 18-way power seats, each one having a 3-position memory settings and temperature sensors in the seats for more efficient airflow contributing to a 3% improvement in fuel economy.
For the eyes, a heads up display, a night vision display that detects movement beyond the range of the low beams, and an active eye monitoring system. The eye monitoring detects eye position in case the driver starts to fall asleep and beeps to regain the driver’s attention. The Lane Keep Assist will gently tug the steering wheel to correct the lane position. For the ears, a Mark Levinson (part of Harman International Industries) 835 watt surround sound system is offered with 17 speakers.
The key to introducing new and innovative technology is to make sure it enhances rather than distracts. Will distractions be the driving force towards autonomous cars? Will these high-tech features mean drivers will drive more often while overly tired or sick, depending upon technology to help them? As long as the systems are able to be turned off, or turned down, those that like driving will continue to enjoy interacting with their car, versus the car interacting with them.
The Lexus GS 350 and upcoming GS models promise to deliver a driving interaction, features and amenites unseen in Lexus before.
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