Not very far from the mundane

Not very far from the mundane

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Photos by -Autonet.ca
Joe Duarte
Published: 13 11 2006

Lexus likes to create ground-breaking vehicles, which is sort of bizarre since the company has readily admitted in the past that its customers are not enthusiastic about their vehicles but rather view them as appliances.

So in an apparent marketing ploy to see if they were even paying attention, Lexus created the new GS in 2006 and gave it either a 3.5 V6 that makes a peak 303 horsepower or a less fuel efficient 4.3 V8 that makes only 290 peak horses.

So let me see if I got this, Mr. Lexus Dealer ... The V8 may not be as economical but at least it has less power? All right!!! ... long as it gets me from point A to point B.

And then to appease those luxury owners who have a soft spot for the environment they may be wrecking with their choices of natural trim materials and outrageous fuel consumption, Lexus created a hybrid version.

But said hybrid puts out more power than the V8 and gets better economy than the V6. So, I guess there's more to the 450h than just an added nameplate character. Mind you, any added character for this car would be a step forward.

This is not to imply the Lexus GS isn't good. It is. It's very good, as a matter of fact. It's just so ... lacklustre. Always has been, since its intro in 1998, although it has also always been at the forefront of new technology (steering wheel shift buttons on the original, for example).

The latest GS was introduced in 2006, again with V6 and V8 power, and the latest version is the hybrid that combines the Lexus GS 350's 300-hp V6 engine with a 197-hp 147 Kw permanent magnet motor that makes a combined output rating of 339 hp (equivalent to a 4.5 V8, explains Lexus of the 450 moniker).

The resultant acceleration is pretty close to what we've found from competitors' V8s, provided they're not in "foot-down/bat-out-of-hell" mode. The continuously variable transmission just can't keep up from that standpoint. It does, however, maintain a docile demeanour to keep fuel usage to a minimum around town (where most V8s falter badly). Fuel economy may not be great by hybrid standards, but it's about a litre per 100 km better than we achieved with the V6 GS 350 earlier in the year.

Inside, you get all the neat things that make Lexus stand out. The interior noise levels are so good that it's hard to tell the car is being powered by the engine or electricity. Outside you can tell, as the car creeps stealthily along the boulevard.

There's the attention to detail in things about which you never really consider. For example, there are stowage trays that open at identical speeds and the positive engagement touches for functions that shouldn't draw too much attention.

On the downside, the rear centre position lacks tremendously in the leg comfort area -- the hump could almost be a centre console. There are a couple of hidden control centres for things you don't need too often, which is probably a good idea --- until you need them, then you have to try to remember where you saw it last. Also, due to the hybrid battery pack, there is no passthrough to the trunk ... which could be interpreted as a retro feature, I suppose.

Regardless, the GS 450h serves the purpose of adding to the very-good Lexus lineup while boosting the GS' power and economy. It adds a bit of interest to a rear-drive luxury sedan that normally has about as much character as a mime ... about as noisy, too.

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