Page 45 - Real Rochdale - Winter 2018

HYBRID LEXUS IMPRESSES

exus doesn’t do the obvious, if it did 9.2 seconds, the GS 450h will manage it in under
then the four-door executive saloon six seconds while still achieving 45.6 mpg on the
would have a powerful diesel engine combined cycle.
fitted, say like BMW, Audi, Jaguar or
Mercedes, but no, Lexus does things Impressive figures for a mid-sized sports coupe,
differently so you’ll find the Lexus GS never mind a BMW 5 Series-rivalling saloon that
utilises a petrol engine which is bud- comes with four doors and a spacious interior.
L died-up to a powerful electric motor.
You will pay quite a premium for that V6 power
Yes, hybrid is the way to go, says Lexus, but does it though – the starting price of the GS 450h is
make sense in practice? £53,050, while its less powerful sibling starts from
just £36,125.
The GS is available with two different power
set-ups. There are also four trim levels for the GS 300h Fit and finish is up there with the best from best out of the extraordinary acceleration the GS
while the GS 450h makes do with just two – the F Germany, albeit probably not quite so well laid-out 450h is capable of.
The GS 300h uses a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder Sport and the range-topping Premier (£54,050), or ergonomically pleasing. It is not quite as
‘Atkinson Cycle’ petrol unit and an electric motor. which I have had on test. clean-cut as the Audi A6 but, to my eyes, is more However, and here is the rub, the GS 450h just
interesting. There is plenty of comfort too. doesn’t feel like much fun to drive. The adaptive
The much-more lairy GS 450h, in place of the 2.5 I like the exterior styling - with a huge, open front dampers fall between two stools, a little too hard to
litre unit, has a V6 3.5-litre petrol engine instead. grille that seems to divide opinion - and The big difference between the Lexus and its main make it a satisfying long-distance cruiser and a little
overall I think the GS is a very imposing car. rivals is in the driving. Being a hybrid the GS pulls too soft to enjoy throwing it around corners.
The GS 300h manages a respectable 0-62mph in away smoothly and silently in EV mode, a pleasant
change from the rattle of a cold diesel engine first Is hybrid the way to go when it comes to executive
thing. Even when up to speed, with the 2.5-litre V6 saloons? Probably, but this face-lifted Lexus GS
cutting in, things remain pretty quiet. 450h has a way to go still to catch up and overtake
its oil-fuelled rivals. Refinement is terrific, build-
I found the CVT gearbox helped with its smooth, quality is exceptional and styling is inspired, but
linear power delivery – although it did seem a little until a hybrid system can reap much bigger benefits
dim-witted when pushed hard and whined a little in to running costs (I averaged just over 30 mpg),
protest at the red line. There is always the people will still look at the figures and opt for diesel
paddle-shifters though if you really want to get the – unless the government has other ideas.

STEVE BERRY

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2018 44 45 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2018