  
Lexus GS Sedans Offer Customers Four
Performance Model Choices for 2009
The 2009 Lexus GS luxury sport sedan model line includes the V6-powered
GS 350 and the GS 350 all-wheel drive (AWD), the V8-powered GS 460, and the
only gasoline electric hybrid model in the segment, the GS 450h.
Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance
Optimized for low internal friction, the GS 350's 3.5-liter V6 engine
produces 303 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 274 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,600
rpm. A direct fuel-injection system provides much finer fuel-mixture control
to improve both power and fuel efficiency. Dual Variable Valve Timing with
intelligence (VVT-i) acts on both intake and exhaust valves to further
enhance performance through a wide rpm range. A smooth-shifting six-speed
transmission allows manual shifting when desired.
The GS 460's V8 produces 342 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 339 lb.-ft. of
peak torque at 4,100 rpm. The GS 460, like the GS 350, meets the EPA's Ultra
Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) certification. Lexus has been setting
standards for powertrain smoothness since its inception, and the GS 460's V8
and eight-speed automatic transmission continue that tradition. The
transmission, as the six-speed automatic in the GS 350 models, allows manual
shifting for a more engaging driving experience, and to maximize performance
in certain driving situations. The GS 460 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph
in 5.4 seconds, the GS 350 in 5.7 (5.8 for AWD).
Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
The Lexus GS combines proven chassis systems with advanced dynamic handling
technology to provide both agile handling and the Lexus trademark smooth
ride. The double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension
virtually eliminate unwanted wheel-angle changes during suspension movement.
The result is a natural, confident feel that's also spirited. A 34.1-ft.
turning circle (35.4 ft. for GS 350 AWD) is comparable to that of smaller
cars and helps make the GS highly maneuverable.
In all GS models, Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution
(EBD) and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) help form a powerful safety
front. EBD optimizes brake pressure at each wheel to help minimize body dive
or sway during hard braking and cornering. Brake Assist is designed to
determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking, and, if the driver
has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, it
will apply maximum braking force until pedal pressure is released.
Aluminum-alloy 18-inch wheels are standard on the GS 460 and available
for the rear-wheel-drive GS 350, which features standard 17-inch wheels. For
maximum handling capability, the GS 350 comes standard with 225/50R17
W-rated summer tires. The all-season 17-inch run-flat tires that are
standard on the GS 350 AWD model are available on the GS 350 RWD. The GS 460
is equipped with 245/40R18 Z-rated summer tires or available all-season
run-flats.
The GS 350's available all-wheel-drive system helps to enhance handling
in diverse driving conditions. A planetary-gear center differential and a
wet-type multi-disc clutch control front-to-rear power distribution. The
system normally sends 70 percent of available power to the rear wheels to
provide the traditional performance advantages of a rear-drive car and will
vary the torque-split ratio from 30:70 to 50:50 in response to driving
conditions and driver input. The AWD system's electronic-control strategy
takes inputs such as steering and throttle angle from driver activity
combined with vehicle signals from wheel speed and yaw rate sensors.
An Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system, standard on the GS 460 and
available on the GS 350, provides four settings, including "sport" for
tighter, more precise control. AVS can automatically select appropriate
suspension damping for driving conditions. The GS 460 also offers the
advanced Active Power Stabilizer system that reduces body sway and enhances
vehicle control during cornering. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
calculates the force needed to counter excess body sway, which is then
applied to the stabilizer bars by the front and rear actuators. The GS 350
models are equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction
control. The system can be disengaged with the "Trac Off" switch when the
situation warrants doing so.
In the GS 460, the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)
system integrates and manages a host of handling technologies, including VSC.
Combining input from a variety of sensors, VDIM is designed to anticipate
the onset of a vehicle skid or slide and then help correct the situation
with a combination of braking, throttle, and steering control. VDIM
integration helps to provide precise management for the Electronically
Controlled Brakes (ECB), Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Electric Power
Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and
engine torque via the electronically controlled throttle.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) in the GS 460 provides precise electric
power assist using a DC motor built into the steering gear housing. Also in
the GS 460, Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) can vary the steering from
2.7 turns lock-to-lock for low-speed maneuverability to a slower 3.2 turns
lock-to-lock for highway-speed stability. VGRS also provides differential
steering control, which helps correct for a delay in steering response --
something that occurs in all vehicles -- to help enhance driving feel during
lane changes and other transitional maneuvers.
The GS 460's Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB) is a brake-by-wire
system. ECB translates brake pedal pressure into electric signals that, via
computer control, help provide precise and optimized braking. Electronic
control provides quick brake response when needed, helping the GS 460's VDIM
system to anticipate and help correct skids before they occur. The ECB
system is backed by conventional hydraulic brake control in the unlikely
event of electronic failure.
Safety/Security Features
The Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), standard on the GS 460 and
optional for the GS 350, helps illuminate a curve as the driver steers into
it. A Tire Pressure Monitoring system can detect a critical loss in pressure
in one or more tires and alert the driver. The available Intuitive Park
Assist (IPA) system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect objects close to the
car's front and rear bumpers and alerts the driver accordingly. A
steering-input sensor helps to better judge changes in distance to objects.
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in the GS sedans includes
variable-force front airbags for both the driver and front passenger. The GS
features standard seat-mounted side airbags for the front seats, knee
airbags for the driver and front passenger, and front and rear side-curtain
airbags.
The rear back-up camera, available in conjunction with the optional
navigation system, automatically projects an image of what its lens can
detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation screen when the vehicle is in
reverse gear.
The optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) in the GS models can help the
driver avoid an accident. A millimeter-wave radar sensor helps detect
obstacles in front of the car, while vehicle speed, steering angle and
yaw-rate inputs help to determine whether a collision is unavoidable. In
such a situation, PCS switches the Adaptive Variable-air Suspension to sport
mode for optimal chassis response, preemptively retracts front seat belts,
and pre-initializes Brake Assist so that increased braking will be applied
the instant the driver depresses the pedal. The active-braking feature will
automatically apply the brakes up to a deceleration rate of 0.3 g if the
driver fails to react to system warnings.
Luxury/Comfort/Convenience
The standard Regency leather-trimmed, heated, 10-way power front seats
(perforated leather trim on GS 460) are comfortably contoured for support on
long trips. Ventilated front seats are standard for the GS 460 and available
for the GS 350. A power-tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps ensure a
comfortable driving position. The standard dual-zone climate-control system
filters the air, and a standard rear power sunshade adds to passenger
comfort on warm days.
All four windows offer one-touch up-and-down operation with jam
protection. Both electrochromic auto-dimming side mirrors are
power-retractable and feature automatic tilt-down to aid in parking when
reverse gear is selected. A power trunk closer provides an added convenience
on this extremely well equipped car.
The standard Lexus audio system features an AM/FM/cassette stereo and a
6-disc, in-dash CD changer. The system plays through 10 premium speakers
while an Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) maintains consistent sound levels
at varying vehicle speeds.
Luxury Options
Within the ultra-quiet Lexus GS interior, all styles of music come to life
with the optional Mark Levinson® Premium Sound system. Featuring 11 channels
of amplification with a total of 330 watts playing through 14 speakers, the
system allows users to play both CDs and DVDs. DVD movies can be viewed on
the color seven-inch touch screen when the parking brake is engaged.
The optional Lexus DVD Navigation System allows the driver to enter a
destination by voice command. Visual support is greatly enhanced with a
central screen featuring a high-resolution 800 x 480 pixel display in 32,000
colors. On-screen details are crisp and clean, and maps and roads are
highlighted by 3-D shadow effects. Text display options include English,
Spanish and French.
The DVD map database contains more than five million Points of Interest
(POI). The database for Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York includes
a building footprint-display feature that can show graphic representations
of buildings and structures to help the driver identify surroundings. System
functions include multiple route calculations, route preview, simplified
highway junction graphics, and a dual-map screen mode. Bluetooth® wireless
technology integrates with the navigation system to allow the driver to make
hands-free phone calls via its touch-screen control panel. Personal phone
books can be transferred via Bluetooth, as well.
Exterior Design
The current generation GS sedans introduced the brand's L-finesse design
language. A 112.2-inch wheelbase, long hood, pulled-back cabin and short
rear deck create a confident, powerful stance for the GS. A sloped, vertical
grille surrounded by four independent headlamps visually connects the
current GS sedans with the previous-generation models while signaling the
brand's design progression. The lower valance features integrated fog lamps,
and a low 0.27 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps to minimize wind noise and
maximize highway fuel efficiency.
Interior Design
Ultra-premium wood, polished-metal accents and leather trim endow the GS
interior with a lavish yet high-precision feel. Touch points convey quality
and controls that respond fluidly. The customer can choose from among three
interior leather color combinations: Light Gray leather with Dark Gray
Bird's-eye maple wood trim, Cashmere leather with Golden Bird's-eye Maple
wood trim, or Black leather with Red Walnut wood trim. Each combination
includes a matching wood and leather-trim steering wheel and shift knob.
Lexus designers strive to keep controls simple and intuitive, avoiding
needless complexity. The SmartAccess keyless entry and push-to-start
ignition allow the driver to keep the access fob in a pocket or purse. Audio
and climate-control systems are easy to understand and operate. The unique
instrument panel lighting system relies on variable-transparency glass to
minimize reflections from the gauge faces and to help optimize visibility in
all lighting conditions.
Warranty
All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited
warranty with roadside assistance for 48-months/unlimited miles. Powertrain
and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles.
Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of
mileage.
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