Sunday, November 11, 2012

REVIEW: 2013 Lexus GS 450h

DRIVE MAGAZINE -

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: i'll admit I did not assume i would like this 2013 Lexus GS 450h abundant. i used to be not an acquaintance of the outgoing GS, therefore perhaps I had a nasty angle regarding this one. I thought, and have written, that I forever thought of the GS because the shrimp of the Lexus litter. i used to be pleasantly stunned by this automobile. it's specialized to my eye and therefore the interior—whoa! it is very nice. stunning materials and well assembled. Love the end on the wood and therefore the soft materials all over one touches—nicely done.

Driving: there's still the slightest unregularity within the drivetrain beneath braking and fast, however not nearly the maximum amount as I keep in mind within the previous GS. this is often a far electric sander powertrain. and therefore the automobile can arise and go after you wish it to, nevertheless cruises swimmingly and quietly. there is way less of the on/off feeling I keep in mind from older Lexus hybrid powertrains. it is a massive discovery.

The ride will get stormy from time to time. you frequently have the sense you are carrying around some further weight, that after all you're. At one purpose I detected a loud metal on metal noise returning from beneath the automobile over enlargement joints and such. sort of a protective cover or one thing. I keep in mind hearing identical issue in associate LS model, too, a jiffy back.

Overall, the new GS may be a immense improvement. However, and it is a massive but, the $68,000 as-tested worth is high. and therefore the base worth is sort of $60,000? Really? somebody at Lexus would want to try to to a euphemism of sales job on ME to win over ME why i would not pay one thing like $8,000 less (base worth to base price) for a Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec diesel sedan.


NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This rig appeared like a pleasant, well-mannered hybrid for my commute home with the automobile set to its “normal” dynamics. however on the come trip to the workplace, I summoned its inner roughneck. Devilish? No, however it will bring some angle. That was exemplified early one morning as i started my dim commute beneath gray skies. the sunshine turned yellow. I force a tough right onto a multilane open road, knifing before a bright red pony. I hit the throttle, expecting my rear-wheel machine to fling out from the tail; it didn't. however the measuring instrument rose, and with the revs between five,000 and 6,000 revolutions per minute and my speed approaching sixty mph, I created short work of that slower moving pony automobile. Not that they were making an attempt, but still, huge for a two-ton hybrid.

This was tired sport mode. The engine had slightly of anger thereto, that is probably not stunning, considering there is 338 horses from this method. The regenerative brakes felt significant to ME, although they offered immediate response. The chassis was comfy most of the time with an honest deal of sporting behaviour. The steering will feel light-weight from time to time, however there is requisite weight at route speeds.

The cabin may be a pleasant setting. I adored the bamboo trim, and therefore the seats square measure corroborative although virtually too stiff. perhaps it had been my seating position. On a wet, ethereal morning, there was an honest quantity of noise filtering in, over one would possibly assume for a Lexus. i actually likeable the analogue knobs, that had a responsive want some type of previous instrument. i favor the new exterior style. There square measure 3 circular bulbs within the headlights, that tastily and handsomely front this issue with gall. The grille is angular and alittle weird, however it usually works. The sedan is shapely and comes across as elegant.

So normally, from the appearance to the technology—there's lots happening here. For my cash, i would keep it easy and escort a German diesel.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: i used to be pleasantly stunned by this 2013 Lexus GS 450h. i favor the appearance with some details from the LFA incorporated into the front, which provides the automobile associate aggressive look. and therefore the interior is Lexus comfy. And it's quiet—very quiet, particularly once cruising in energy unit mode. The regenerative brakes square measure the largest disappointment. They work, and work rather well. It's simply the odd feel that they need that's unsatisfactory.

The drivetrain is super swish, alternating between gas and power, with the electrical power returning in to feature a bunch of thrust once required.

With a bunch of route driving, the powertrain came nearly thirty four mpg, that is correct on the Environmental Protection Agency range. I've same this before, if I were going for a inexperienced automobile, i would inspect a diesel that is easier and additional simple. And like Wes same, for well less cash you may get a diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz E-class.

2013 Lexus GS 450h

Base Price: $59,825

As-Tested Price: $68,139

Drivetrain: three.5-liter V6 hybrid; RWD, incessantly variable transmission

Output: 286 HP @ six,000 revolutions per minute (338 HP web system output), 254 lb-ft @ four,600 rpm

Curb Weight: four,190 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 31/33.9 mpg

Options: Luxury package as well as heated rear seats, 18-inch split nine-spoke alloy wheels with painted silver end and all-season tires, Bi-LED light source with reconciling front lighting system (AFS); heated wood and animal skin cut handwheel, semi-aniline animal skin interior trim, three-zone automatic climate management, 18-way power front seats with power regulate four-way body part, facet bolsters, articulated back, long lower cushions and butterfly headrests, Lexus Memory System for front traveler seat, rear door manual sunshades ($5,645); pre-collision system (PCS) as well as brake, driver attention monitor with closed-eye detection ($2,000); lane keep assist and departure warning system ($500); trunk mat ($105); freight web ($64)

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