Lexus GS300 Super Luxury
Can the latest Lexus GS300 improve on what was already an accomplished car?

What's New?
The latest Lexus GS300 is the third incarnation of the Japanese luxury carmaker's answer to executive sedans such as the BMW 5 series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

As with almost every new model, today's GS has grown in almost every dimension to afford its occupants more interior and luggage space. Fortunately, despite its larger size, the GS' designers have still managed to endow the car with a sporty silhouette by keeping its basic shape simple with a rakish arched roof that gives it a coupé-like profile.

The keep-it-simple theme continues into the cabin where all controls which are not used when driving, such as the wing mirror adjustments for example, are located within panels that flip or slide out of sight.

A LCD touch screen takes centre stage on the dashboard that controls the climate control air-conditioning, audio and Bluetooth-enabled phone system that accesses the mobile phone in your pocket or handbag.

The other item that the driver does not have to fish out is the key. Termed SMART key by Lexus, the driver is able to work the doors and start the car with just a push of a dashboard-mounted button.

As expected of a Lexus, the seats are supportive yet comfortable. Front occupants also benefit from air-conditioned ventilation that comes through the seats.

While there is plenty of legroom for rear passengers to get comfortable, the headcount is best kept to two if a long distance trip is planned as the high transmission tunnel impedes the legroom of anyone sitting in the middle.

How It Performs
Like its predecessors, this GS300 employs a rear-wheel-drive layout that its German rivals swear by in the name of rendering a more driver-focused car.

Unlike the previous model however, the GS300 is now powered by a more compact V6 powerplant instead of the much-loved in-line six-cylinder unit found in the last two models. Sentimentalists need not fret though as a prod of the accelerator will reveal that the new engine still makes the right noises.

More importantly, its power delivery is also appropriately smooth and torquey enough for the occupants to feel that surge in the small of their backs under acceleration at almost any speed.

While the GS changes direction with more enthusiasm and accuracy than its front-wheel-driven sibling the ES 300, the mid-sized sports sedan the driver is always reminded of how big this car really is as some of its predecessor's sharpness feels compromised in favour of more refinement.

How It Stacks Up
Don't worry, by Lexus standards, the latest GS300 is still more of a sports sedan than any other car in its line-up. Purists may grouse at its slightly watered-down dynamics but the majority of us will appreciate its new-found ability to better pamper all of its occupants instead of only entertaining the driver.

Technical Specifications

MODEL Lexus GS300 Super Luxury ENGINE Engine: 2,994cc 24V V6 Max Power: 228bhp @ 6,200rpm Max Torque: 300Nm @ 4,400rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic TOP SPEED 235 kmh 0-100km/h 7.5s