Lexus GS 350
A technological marvel but a muscle car at heart by greg horton
The 2013 Lexus GS 350 represents a major shift in style for the luxury line of Toyota cars. Viewing the 2012 and 2013 side by side doesn’t reveal major changes to the frame or basic shape, but the car look remarkably different. Lexus has always been committed to the ideal of European sedans, but this newest iteration is a move from Old World to New. Lexus announced before the release of the 2012 GS that they were redesigning the car to be more fun to drive, making it more responsive and tighter. The 2013 takes that promise a step further and makes it look more fun to drive. The lines are sleeker and sportier. The grille is, according to “Road & Track,” like “Audi’s single-frame grille opening with a pinched waist.” The sport package (GS 350 F Sport) looks like Lexus intended to create a muscle car. The pinched-waist grille features what can only be described as a carbon fiber design. Both models have LED running lights on the front, as well as ambient approach lights on the sides and interior. Lexus has indicated that the new style changes will not be limited to the GS, so expect to see them on other
models in the near future. The engine is a 306 hp V6 that moves from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds on both models. The primary benefit to the sport package is clearly not the engine. The new GS features drive mode select on the console, allowing the driver to increase fuel efficiency or performance. Lexus has created a technological marvel with the GS, including a 12.3-inch multimedia display, the size of which guarantees easy viewing from either of the front seats. The multimedia options include Lexus Enform, a data package that gives you access to industry-leading navigation. There is an optional App Suite that provides connectivity with dinner reservations, movie tickets, Pandora radio and other options. Additionally, the GS has technology options like heads-up display so that the driver need not take his eyes from the road to check basic information like speed and fuel. Enhanced night vision is also an option, as well as intuitive parking assistance and blind-spot monitoring. The basic GS 350 starts at $46,900, and the sport package at $52,590. They are already available in Oklahoma. www.golfoklahoma.org www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• •••••• 21