Short On Sport

Comparing the mid-luxury segment to a “high-class dogfight,” Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus Div. knows it is stepping into daunting territory with the all-new '06 GS.

The third-generation GS improves on the outgoing model, first introduced in 1997. It boasts Lexus' new, more emotional design language, L-Finesse. But exterior styling remains rather bland, preventing the car from standing out against the love-it or hate-it BMW 5-Series or Audi A6.

It also is the first Lexus passenger car with all-wheel drive and includes a next-generation stability control program known as vehicle dynamic integrated management (VDIM). The car boasts a new 3L V-6 and a plethora of technology designed to make driving more pleasant.

The '06 GS comes in three trims — the base 300, 300 with AWD and the 430 — and all define state-of-the-art.

But is the GS truly a sporty sedan along the lines of the 5-Series, which Lexus engineers say they benchmarked? Not really.

The interior is too lavish for a “sport” sedan, boasting lots of high-gloss lacquered wood. Even the steering wheel can't escape the timber treatment. Interior materials, although above par, also are not quite up to German luxury standards. The headliner consists of a high-class “rat fur” material, not the woven/mesh material found on the A6 and even the new Chevy Cobalt.

The carpeting and standard leather seats scream plush, not sporty. The GS would benefit from offering seats with some thigh supporting bolsters, as well as fabric inserts. Despite its lack of sporty accents, the interior does feature some nice touches, including gauges with machined aluminum faces.

The available engines, an all-new 3L V-6 and a 4.3L V-8, are both superb. But it is strange the GS does not offer the same larger displacement (3.5L) V-6 found in its cousin, the new Toyota Avalon, which would be more competitive with other V-6s in its class.

The Avalon's V-6 produces 280 hp at 6,200 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 4,700 rpm, while the GS 300 turns out 245 hp at 6,200 rpm and 230 lb.-ft. (312 Nm) of torque at 3,600 rpm The power hungry will satisfy their appetites with the GS 430's V-8 that delivers 300 hp at 5,600 rpm and 325 lb.-ft. (441 Nm) at 3,400 rpm. The V-8 propels the 430 from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in a Lexus-record 5.7 seconds.

Both engines are mated to a 6-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual mode.

VDIM, a standout feature on the 430 trim, is an advanced braking system that detects instability well before the driver does and makes the appropriate corrections.

“The reality is VDIM just makes you think you're a better driver than you are,” says Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president.

VDIM is a Lexus first on the GS but will be available soon on the new Lexus RX 400h cross/utility, Lexus' first hybrid, launching in mid-April.

GS prices begin at $42,900 for the base 300 trim. Adding AWD inflates the sticker to $44,850. The 430 begins at $51,125. Destination and handling is $650 for all trims. The new GS hit Lexus dealers in February.

Lexus aims to sell 33,000 units annually, quadruple 2004 GS numbers, but below BMW 5-Series sales of 45,000-plus last year.

'06 Lexus GS430

Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 5-passenger 4-door sedan

Engine: 4.3L (4,293 cc) DOHC V-8, aluminum block/aluminum heads

Power (SAE net): 300 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Torque: 325 lb.-ft. (441 Nm) @ 3,400 rpm

Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Bore × stroke (mm): 90.9 × 82.6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 112.2 ins. (285 cm)

Overall length: 190 ins. (483 cm)

Overall width: 71.7 ins. (182 cm)

Overall height: 56.1 ins. (142 cm)

Curb weight: 3,745 lbs. (1,699 kg)

EPA fuel economy, city/highway (mpg): 18/25

Competition: Acura RL; Audi A6; BMW 5-Series; Cadillac STS; Mercedes-Benz CLS; Nissan M-series