Lexus GS Gets a New Engine and a New Name
15 August 2000
Lexus GS 430 Now Powered by a 4.3-Liter V8
TORRANCE, Calif. - The thrill quotient in the mid-luxury ranks moves up a
notch as Lexus announces the 2001 GS 430. The GS 430 features a 300-horsepower
4.3-liter V8 with 325 lb.-ft. of torque that will propel the car from 0-60 in
5.8 seconds. Also for 2001, the GS sedan's exterior is revised and standard
side curtain airbag supplemental restraint systems for the driver and front
passenger have been added.
Pricing for the GS 430 has been set at $47,355, an increase of $1,050 over
the 2000 GS 400. On a comparably equipped basis, the increase is 0.3 percent
over the previous generation GS.
Lexus more than a decade ago introduced the notion that luxury and value
needn't be mutually exclusive. The GS 430 sedan continues Lexus luxury value
leadership by pricing for thousands of dollars less than competitive models
without skimping on technology, performance or comfort.
The new high-performance V8 engine in the GS 430 meets the federal Ultra
Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) certification and uses no more fuel than the
smaller-displacement engine it replaces.
With the boost in torque, the GS 430 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just
5.8 seconds (compared to 6.0 seconds for the 2000 GS 400) and can cover the
quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds. The engine performs as if it had another
half-liter of displacement, due in large part to Variable Valve Timing with
intelligence (VVT-i). This innovative system optimizes valve overlap
throughout the engine's speed range (not just at one or two set speeds) and in
all operating conditions, eliminating the traditional compromise between
low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower.
Dramatic design has set the GS apart from the mid-luxury crowd since its
introduction. For 2001, Lexus freshened its distinct appearance with revised
front and rear styling details. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights,
which enhance visibility for night driving, are newly standard on the GS 430.
New six-spoke alloy wheels give the car a more rakish profile, and the
taillights feature a simplified design.
More Luxury and an Audiophile's Dream
New luxury details for the 2001 GS 430 include a standard leather wrapped
steering wheel with controls for the audio system, an electronic compass,
water-repellent front door glass, and additional interior wood trim. A new
available touch-screen navigation system employs DVD-based map data, replacing
a system that stored map data on a computer hard drive. The system's LCD
display also provides control functions for the audio and automatic climate
control systems and the trip computer.
The GS 430 gains a distinguished option for 2001, joining the LS 430
flagship sedan and the LX 470 sport utility vehicle in offering the industry's
first OEM installations of Mark Levinson audio systems. Audiophiles have
acknowledged Mark Levinson as a leader in high-end home audio components since
the early 1970s. The eight-speaker Lexus system features discrete amplifier
design with ultra-low crossover distortion. All occupants enjoy optimal sound
quality, no matter where they're sitting.
Safety From the Inside Out
In the GS 430 safety starts with front and rear energy-managing crumple-
zone body construction, a strong passenger compartment and three-point seatbelts
for all five seating positions. The Supplemental Restraint Systems includes
dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and, new for 2001, side
curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger. The front seatbelts
incorporate pretensioners, force limiters, and height-adjustable anchors. All
five seating positions include a height-adjustable headrest. The GS 430 features
impact dissipating upper interior trim and child restraint seat (CRS) top
tether brackets. Daytime running lights help make the GS more visible to other
drivers under diverse lighting and weather conditions.
Advanced Driving Dynamics
Lexus equips the GS 430 with two advanced systems that can help the driver
in emergency situations and poor driving conditions. The Brake Assist feature
is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if
the driver has not stepped hard enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS,
the system supplements the applied braking power.
The Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) system helps keep the vehicle going on its
intended course and under demanding conditions by detecting understeer (front
wheel slide) and oversteer (rear wheel slide) and attempting to control either
condition with torque intervention and/or by braking individual wheels. The
VSC system integrates traction control, and both VSC and Brake Assist employ
the sensors and actuators of the standard anti-lock brake system (ABS).
High Performance Designed In, Not Added On
The GS 430 was designed as a performance sedan from the start -- not just
a luxury car with stiffened suspension and big tires. The performance-
optimized platform features double wishbone front and rear suspension, large-
diameter four-wheel disc brakes, and 16 x 7.5 inch alloy wheels (new six-spoke
design for 2001). The GS 430 is equipped with larger, lower-profile 225/55R16
Michelin Pilot HX MXM summer tires. Customers can upgrade to optional super-
low profile Z-rated 235/45R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE030 performance tires on
17 x 8-inch wheels. At no extra cost, GS customers can substitute V-rated
all-season tires in the standard sizes. No matter what tires the customer
chooses, a matching spare wheel and tire is included.
Luxury that Performs
The GS 430 driver faces a performance-oriented three-pod instrument cluster,
complete with the Lexus-signature Optitron lighting that silhouettes the gauge
pointers and markings. Panel brightness adjusts automatically according to
ambient lighting conditions. The dual-zone automatic climate control system
features soft-touch controls, an activated charcoal micron filter and a "smog"
sensor. When the sensor detects certain levels of hydrocarbon pollution, such
as from a vehicle traveling in front, it switches the system into recirculation
mode. Rear seat passengers benefit from air conditioning vents in the back of
the center console.
The multi-function remote entry system allows the driver to open the front
and rear windows and the available moonroof, especially helpful for ventilating
the interior before entering the car on a hot day. The system includes an
elegant in-key remote control, eliminating the need for a separate control fob.
The map light integrates a standard Homelink(R)-compatible garage door opener.
Standard Equipment Highlights
-- Dual-zone automatic climate control with "smog" sensor
-- 10-way power front seats
-- Memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors
-- One-touch up/down power windows
-- Power tilt/telescope steering wheel with automatic tilt-away for easy
exit
-- Seven-speaker premium audio system
-- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio system controls
-- Auto-dimming rearview and driver's side view mirrors
-- Heated outside mirrors
-- Homelink(R) programmable garage door opener
-- Outside temperature gauge
-- Remote keyless entry (also controls windows and optional moonroof)
-- Immobilizer anti-theft system
-- Electric trunk and fuel filler door releases
-- Individual front and rear reading lamps
-- UV-absorbing tinted glass
-- Genuine California walnut wood trim