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2006 Lexus GS300 Review
All-new lineup includes all-wheel drive.
2006 GS300 Review Summary & Specifications
Smooth, refined, fast, reliable, backed by a great dealer network, Lexus cars have a lot going for them. Now add in stylish bodywork and a sharper performance image, and the formula is even tougher to beat. Remember, that this new GS is just the first in a wave of new vehicles from Lexus, reflecting the carmaker's desire to be compared with the world's best luxury performance cars. It's a giant first step and will doubtless keep BMW engineering up late at night in its bid to again be top dog in the segment.New Car Test Drive correspondent Greg Brown filed this report from Palm Springs.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Greg N. Brown |
| Model Lineup | Lexus GS 300 ($42,900); GS 300 AWD ($44,850); GS 430 ($51,125) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.3-liter dohc 32-valve V8 with VVT-i |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic w sequential-shift |
| Engines (optional) | 245-hp V6; 300-hp V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | driver and front-passenger front airbags; front and rear side-curtain airbag; seat-mounted side-impact airbag for front seats; driver and front passenger knee airbags; force-limiting seat belts with pretensioners for driver, front passenger and outboard rear seats; 3-point belts for all seating positions, including rear center position; height-adjustable front shoulder belt anchors; automatic locking retractor (ALR)/emergency locking retractor (ELR) seat belt function on all seating positions except driver (ELR only); Vehicle Stability Control system (VSC); four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brakes (ABS) integrated with Brake Assist, VSC and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); tire pressure warning system |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) integrates and manages ECB, ABS, BA, EBD, VSC and Electronic Power Steering (EPS) for total-vehicle dynamics control; Electronic Controlled Brake system (ECB); Pre-Collision System (PCS) |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-USA-LEXUS |
| Manufacturer URL | www.lexus.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 42900 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Lexus GS 430 ($51,125) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic dual-zone climate control with smog sensor and micro dust/pollen removal filter; Regency leather-trimmed seats; wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob; aluminum alloy stamped scuff plates on all door sills; carpeted floor mats; 10-way power driver's and front passenger's seat; heated front seats; 7-inch multi-information touch screen; steering wheel audio and multi-information display controls; electronic digital quartz clock; headlamp washer; rear sunshade; Bluetooth wireless telephone technology; push-button engine start; power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with automatic tilt-away; three-position memory system for driver and front passenger seats; one-touch up/down function with jam protection on all four windows; trunk pass-through; power door locks with anti lock-out feature; cruise control; electrochromic rearview mirror with compass and Homelink programmable garage door opener; retained accessory power feature for operation of power windows and optional moonroof; electric trunk and fuel filler door releases with valet lockout feature for trunk; rear A/C vents on the back of center console; sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors; individual front and rear reading lamps |
| Destination Charge | |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Mark Levinson audio w navigation system ($4,030); Intuitive Park Assist ($500) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 55655 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 300 @ 5600 |
| Torque | 325 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy | 18/25 |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 |
| Length/Width/Height | 190.0/71.7/56.1 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 34.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.8/54.4/43.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.0/51.4/36.4 |
| Trunk Volume | 12.7 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, double wishbones with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with driver selectable shock absorber damping |
| Rear Suspension | independent, multi-link with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with driver selectable shock absorber damping |
| Ground Clearance | 5.1 |
| Curb Weight | 3745 |
| Stock Tires | P245/40ZR18 summer tires |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist; ECB brake-by-wire; VDIM |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.8 |
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