New Lexus GS350 - a different feeling for Vietnamese tycoons

The bolder, more individual and fiery design makes the GS350 more attractive to those who have always considered Lexus as just an upgrade from Toyota.

Except for the LF-A supercar, which very few people can afford, the GS350 is the most worth-driving car in the Lexus family. In a series of products that always focus on the philosophy of luxury, spaciousness and smoothness, the GS is like an individual child with a wild, reckless and emotional personality.

In the 2016 version, Lexus changed the appearance of the GS350 according to a new philosophy with a wide hourglass grille. Sharp headlights and additional LED daytime running lights create a powerful aura. However, the rear is not really harmonious when it is a bit gentle and less noticeable.

The new innovation has caused controversy for the GS that has never happened before. Most people think that it is a timely change because it is closer to the young generation. But the rest think that Lexus is not really excellent when the lines are too aggressive compared to the product itself. It is like a child who was once gentle and obedient suddenly becomes a wild and rebellious child. Anyway, the Japanese car company has its own reasons. It is up to the customer to choose or not to choose.

In contrast to the exterior, the interior of the new GS350 has not changed much. Still a style that blends luxury with metal details and sporty wood grain. Equipped at a moderate level for the luxury segment such as dual-zone air conditioning, sunroof, automatic curtains. Heated and cooled seats. Air vents for the rear seats. DVD system connected to the Mark Levinson speaker system.

The Easy Entry function automatically reclines the seat and folds the steering wheel when getting out of the car, which is very friendly, creating space for any driver. The cabin is spacious, within reach and easy to use. There are some functions that are not as expected. For example, the mirrors automatically fold and open as soon as the lock is pressed, which is a bit inconvenient when having to constantly open and close the door. Mercedes is very reasonable when setting the mode to only open the mirrors when the driver's door is opened.

But those are minor details for a Grand Touring, which focuses on both driver emotion and passenger enjoyment. Few cars can do both. With the GS, Lexus knows how to do it best.

With a 316-horsepower engine, the GS350 has four operating modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus. But Eco is like "leftovers" because it does not match the goals that Lexus is aiming for. The accelerator is slow, the gears are up too fast, and the noise is too much. Only those who want to show off their fuel-efficient driving skills are interested in this mode.

As for the Sport and Sport Plus, the GS350 is the most appealing Lexus. Those who are prejudiced against Japanese brands may be right about the ES, LS or SUV lines. But the GS alone offers a remarkable difference. There is no more neutral Japanese quality.

If you are an adventurer, it is best to always put the GS350 in Sport Plus mode. The accelerator pedal is sensitive and feels real at every speed. The braking system, which is a weakness of Lexus, has also been significantly improved in 2016 when it fully meets the driver's requirements. The GS steering wheel does not feel too soft but reflects almost the entire road surface condition, helping the driver understand the terrain better. Every turn of the steering wheel to change lanes or turn is as smooth and fast as a German car.

Choose a large enough space, step on the gas to bring the car to its maximum state, the GS exhaust sound resounds excitedly, echoing into the cabin with excitement. Unfortunately, Lexus focuses too much on engine soundproofing so the engine noise doesn't have a chance to resonate with it. Anyway, GS also proves that the craftsmen at Lexus know how to create emotions, from exhaust sounds.

The acceleration of the GS350 is similar to that of British cars, not making the passengers immediately stick to their seats when stepping on the gas. But it is gentle, slow and then "boom". The speed climbs from 80, to 100 and 120. The engine revs up to 3,000 then 4,000 and 5,000. The gearbox shifts later to gain momentum. The whole car turns into a speed machine that can startle anyone who was enjoying the smooth ride before.

Even more extreme, Lexus also has a steering wheel-mounted gearshift mode. Select the lowest gear at 120 km/h, the tachometer needle shoots up to over 6,000, growling and angry like a horse trying to escape its cage and rush onto the racetrack. But at this limit, the Japanese car company seems to be afraid of losing its core value, so it still maintains the most balanced state possible. The GS350 is not yet a bull like Porsche or other supercars. After all, Lexus still needs to serve other customers.

Another point that makes the GS not really create absolute passion is the suspension and soundproofing system that are not up to the definition of sport. The suspension is soft and not true to the road at high speed. The tire noise is very little, mainly wind noise, so the driver will have a slight illusion of speed.

But anyway, the 2016 GS350 has come fairly close to its centuries-old German rivals.The equipment that passengers enjoy is also at full range. The safety system includes ABS anti-lock braking system, EBD electronic brake force distribution, VSC electronic balance, TRC traction control, hill start assist. Blind spot warning. HUD windshield display.

Vietnamese customers spend about 3.8 billion VND to own an imported GS350. Adding registration tax and registration is a total of 4 billion, not a small amount for a somewhat unique car.This level is also much higher than traditional German competitors such as Audi A6 or BMW series 5 currently sold in Vietnam.

>> Detailed photos of the new Lexus GS350

According to VNE