First test: Lexus GS300h

Minor chance

Tempo 190 maximum. In a business limousine. In Germany. You can shake your head violently after just looking at the data sheet and ask the Lexus managers, what were you thinking? Seriously. This limousine can do something that many other cars lack today. But is 190 km / h not enough? A first driving report after the small facelift of the 2016 model should bring clarity. 

Lexus GS300h in the driving report

"Minor Change" is what those responsible call the adjustments to the Lexus GS for the 2016 model year. Minor Chance describes opportunities for the Japanese premium sedan on the German market. In every other corner of the world, above all in the USA, the luxury limousine from Toyota's premium subsidiary scores massively. Lexus offers German customers two variants of the GS, both hybrids. One time 223 hp, one time 345 hp. Ironically, the weaker model demonstrates the fine strength of the Lexus GS. "Get lost!"

There's nothing annoying

Roll up gently, purely electrically. The 143 hp electric motor pushes the easy 1.7 ton limousine very unspectacularly. In the absence of a larger battery (1.3 kWh), the low-CO2 propulsion ends within a few moments. The 2.5 liter four-cylinder Atkinson petrol engages almost imperceptibly. This is where the strength of the Lexus setup lies. Engine on, engine off - the occupants feel nothing of this. At most, the lack of train seems poor. Not suitable for the size of the limousine. Unsuitable for the Japanese's unobtrusive appearance.

Smirk like hell? Rather "rest in oneself" ...

In the optical changes, even savvy car journalists reach their limits. What exactly has Lexus changed on the 2016 vintage of the GS? Significant? Nothing at all. There are details in the facial features. The GS remains with his rough Diabolo grille once a friend of the less discreet appearance. The design of the headlamps with the LED elements is technically valuable. If you look at the details, you will get a special presentation on the Premium Lexus.

In the interior, the workmanship looks better again, the finish of which is slowly gaining admiration in Ingolstadt. Sure, click, click, clack, the rotary switches in the Lexus are still not whispering. But all the other details are correct. Softly foamed, seamlessly sewn, narrow joints - robust substructure. The new 12.3-inch (format: 24: 9) display for the multimedia system (entertainment and navigation) in the center console goes well with this. The presentation pleases with a better resolution. The system reacts quickly to inputs from the driver. The joystick for operation is still a little “different” - but different doesn't have to be worse.

Culture vs. dynamics

The strength of the Lexus GS lies in its balance. Cultivated he rolls over tar patches, stress-free, he accelerates to the highway entrance. The first test kilometers in the new vintage were done in Spain. Here Tempo 120 are given on the highway and on rural roads 90 km / h are sufficient. The Lexus GS feels comfortable. The e-motor and petrol engine zoom in on the Tempo 100, completely jerk-free thanks to the clever e-CVT.

A stepless automatic is always a challenge. Especially for the German auto journalist, who is known for his aversion to the dreaded rubber band effect that this technology has. The Lexus GS can also feel “overused”. The GS300h pays back rough accelerator acrobatics with booming four-cylinder acoustics. While the naturally aspirated engine swings up into the speed regions around 4.500 revolutions and thereby the comfort zone of his Atkinson Cycle has to leave, the speedometer needle - asynchronous to the sound - rises. There is only one remedy for this: feeling. A lot of feeling on the accelerator.

If you slow down yourself, you will experience the strength of the overall concept. A very powerful electric motor, a barely more powerful gasoline engine, and all of this is connected via a planetary gear. Advantage and disadvantage in one package. The jolt-free combination of “boosting” and recuperation from the constant change of drive variants oppose the limited gear ratio. Tempo 190? Difficult to convey to the German fleet manager. Yet 223 PS system power are working in the Lexus GS300h.

4.4 liters on 100 km

The NEDC value of 4.4 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers sounds like a fabulous value. We left 4.8 liters in a stress-free test round. In a petrol sedan with almost 1.8 tons! The efficiency of the hybrid idea cannot be more impressive. If you don't let the hybrid style of the GS300h slow you down completely, you will hardly get more than 7 liters in a decelerated world. Sounds like too much - compared to the NEDC value - but if you look at the whole package, these are absurdly good values.

Because the Lexus is brutally comfortable. He grabs his inmates in cotton wool. Well steamed, the hustle and bustle of the world passes the Lexus. The chassis spoils with a precise idea. The renewed increased stiffness of the body can be felt in everyday life in the form of a solidity, which reminds one of the Swabians of the 70er years.

A fine-sounding sound system by audio expert Mark Levinson can be ordered as well as the technology gadgets that are expected in this price range. A head-up display with fine resolution and good graphic design. An 3 automatic climate control system with a ventilation logic for the interior. With the seat recognition, the air conditioner detects which seats are occupied and focuses on the occupants. Of course, the Lexus has LED headlights. Of course there is a high beam assistant. A brake assistant that detects pedestrians with the help of radar sensors and a camera and massively reduces the risk of accidents.

Conclusion: Somehow so Swabian

You should actually take the responsible engineer in your arms, pat him on the shoulder and explain: You are the new “Swabians”. Not just because of the modesty at top speed. No, more because Lexus can do something today that “Daimler” was known for in the past. Build a comforting car. A car that doesn't annoy you with hectic rush or false promises in everyday life. Comfortable and quiet. And stingy when it comes to consumption on top of that.

In the case of the hybrid saloon GS300h, this talent unfortunately does not help. Above all, the Federal Michel in Leasingrausch will also avoid this GS as the Schwabe the Prasserei. What a pity.

All photos: Lexus