Wood and leather steering wheel and shift knob, and genuine wood interior trim, call back to posh cars of the past
By: Mike Blake
We often think of Lexus as the luxury end of the Toyota arsenal that also includes Scion. After test driving several "Lexii" this year, the badge has done nothing to diminish that perception. And after testing the 2006 Lexus GS430, it is apparent that the company is on course with another complete package.
The GS430 is Lexus’ first all-new addition since 2001, and after five years of planning, the 430 comes out swinging with new opulent styling and lots of new technology. The car’s architecture includes a rear spoiler and the sweeping lines we come to expect of luxury sedans. Its 18-inch alloy wheels and Michelin z-rated tires make for a nice meet-and-greet with the road, utilizing Lexus’s first all-wheel-drive system. And the high-tech aspect of Lexus is first-rate.
You literally start with the keyless ignition, a key fob you keep in your pocket as you engage the brake and push the start button.
Bluetooth hands-free telephone technology, rain-sensing wipers, smog sensor, and 7-inch multi-information touch screen put this Lexus in the ballpark with its luxury competitors that rely on vanguard electronics to appeal to the upper-tier audience. Its GPS navigation system is not the best operation out there, but it is in the upper-half of those tested this year for user-friendliness and accuracy, and its inclusion seems mandatory these days as a part of any package designed to compete with other top-of-the-line vehicles.
A rather cool high-tech item is the backup camera that engages whenever you move into reverse. The LCD becomes a rearview video that captures the scene through a small camera mounted on the trunk lid. While I don’t know of anyone who looks forward at the dash screen while backing up, it is very useful to determine if small children, pets or obstacles are below license plate level.
Inside the cabin, you get a real luxury feel with perforated leather trim and memory system features (seats and mirrors). Wood and leather steering wheel and shift knob and genuine wood interior trim call back to posh cars of the past. A 10-speaker premium audio system, cassette in-dash, six-CD changer and dual-zone climate controls begin the comfort package.
Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power door locks and trunk closer, electronic chromatic device instrumentation, compass and a one-touch open/close moon-roof fulfill interior expectations of Lexus luxury. The hide-away instrument panel that holds mirror adjustment controls, trunk-latch button, instrument dimmer and trunk opener is a cool touch that adds to the one-step-beyond feel of the vehicle.
For the sticker price of $58,234, including $7,000 in options, the Lexus GS 430 presents a full compliment of luxury, performance and safety features that one would expect from the Oval-L.
But a car is more than its interior and styling, it is also about the power and handling. Lexus has chosen a 4.3-liter 4-cam, 32-valve V-8 to provide its thrust. The six-speed automatic unit thunders out 300-hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, enough to propel the 3,700-pound car quickly in and out of traffic and down a quarter mile in about 14.5 seconds. I was able to zoom from zero-to-60mph in a hair under 6 seconds. A wide, flat torque curve provides crisp acceleration at all shift points and speeds.
While auto-crossing with my test Lexus, I found the rack-and-pinion steering, front independent double-wishbone and independent multi-link rear suspension to be stable and confident. Gas pressurized shock absorbers with front rebound springs gave me a smooth ride and the electronic-controlled braking gave me enough stopping power to make a high-speed test drive come to a safe conclusion.
Safety is also a Toyota/Lexus strongpoint, and that aspect was attended to well with the GS430. Dual front airbags, front seat and side impact bags, as well as front and rear side curtain airbags begin the safety check. Supplemental restraint systems, three-point safety belts, and front seat belt pretensioners with force limiters are solid and sure. For safe driving and sure handling, Lexus has opted for energy-managing crumple zones, tire-pressure monitor system, and an Adaptive Variable Suspension that automatically selects appropriate suspension damping for driving conditions while allowing the driver to select a sport mode for a tighter, more precise feel.
An optional Pre-Collision System can help reduce collision damage. The system uses a millimeter-wave radar sensor to help detect obstacles in front of the car and a pre-collision system computer with vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs that help to determine in advance whether a collision is unavoidable. It then switches the AVS to "Sport" mode, pre-emptively retracts front seat belts and pre-initializes Brake Assist so that increased braking is applied the instant the brake pedal is depressed.
The price is very Lexus-like, and the competition in the segment is rich, indeed, but the Lexus GS430 is certainly one to consider if the luxury niche is your next buy.
For more information visit www.carsatcarlisle.com. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’sbeen a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

