The GS isn't the most sporting drive in
its class, but the suspension and steering
have been modified and beefed up to handle
the extra weight of the hybrid system. The
result is a predictable and taut rear-wheel-
drive package that belies its weight.
Inside is classic Lexus. Dark leather
makes the cabin feel less spacious than it
is, but the seats are supremely
comfortable and incorporate the
opportunity to heat or cool your buttocks
at the touch of a button.
Night lights
As night falls, blue LEDs backlight
various surfaces, and the satellite
navigation map changes from day to
night to blend in with its surroundings.
The satellite navigation is probably the
best I've used in terms of ease and
accuracy, and should your passenger get
bored, the screen provides a wealth of
entertainment opportunities, including
the energy monitor, a graph showing
your fuel consumption, a dvd player,
telephone, a reversing camera and
various controls for audio and climate.
The rear-view camera is a nice touch,
but it'll be interesting to see how many
people actually use it - certainly it feels
more comfortable reversing the old-
fashioned way, though it is unarguably
useful for spotting high kerbs or low
bollards you might otherwise overlook.
Radar control
Watching the lights lead the car around a
corner also provides an entertaining
distraction from driving, which you'll be
doing less of now if you use the radar
system, which works with the cruise
control to automatically slow the car
should someone brake in front of you.
There isn't really much this car
does badly; OK, the batteries rob a fair
amount of boot space, but the car's
regenerative braking process means you
won't have to plug it into the mains.
There's more technology and toys than
I've got space to write about here, but the
car's real heart and party piece is its engine.
Outputting 186g of carbon dioxide
per kilometre means a low VED tax
banding and, crucially for this type of
19
car, lower liability for company car tax.
It's easy to get the wrong end of the
stick about this car because, as a hybrid,
it has been unfairly compared to the Prius
and the Insight. While this is all very well
given the similarity of their powertrain, it
should be remembered that both of these
models are small cars designed mainly for
town driving.
The GS is a luxury performance saloon
and it's only when you look at its direct
competition that the figures really start to
mean something.
With a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds, the
GS 450h is faster than the Audi A6 4.2
V8, the Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8 and the
Mercedes E500 Sport.
Costing the same sort of money, these
cars have a respective average fuel
economy of 26.1, 22.5 and 24.6mpg. The
Lexus will do more than 35; it's a genuine
rival to the big boys from Germany.
No, flowers and baby rabbits don't fall
gently from the exhausts, but you'd have
to start running wildlife over in the Lexus
before you were doing as much damage
to the environment as its rivals.
THE ROADTRIP
Destination: Arundel Wetlands Centre
Set in ancient woodlands adjacent to the River
Arun, the Arundel wetland habitat is an
excellent place to take a break from the rat
race and catch up with nature.
Overlooked by Arundel Castle, the site has
26 hectares of naturalised landscapes and
wetland habitat, which is home to exotic
waterbirds from around the world.
Tel: 01903 883355
SatNav postcode: BN18 9PB
Eat at: Amberley Castle
Finish your day perusing the seasonal, locally
sourced menus in the extraordinary historical
surroundings of Amberley Castle.
The magnificent Queen's Room with its
12th-century barrel-vaulted ceiling and open
fire is the principle dining room, and a perfect
place to sample Castle cuisine.
For more information, tel: 01798 831 992
Also stop at:
Avisford Park Golf Club in nearby Walberton to
practice your swing (01243 544611), or brush
up on your equine skills at Arundel Riding
Centre (01903 882061). For a history fix, drop
by the 11th-century Norman Castle and
Catholic Gothic Cathedral, which sit side by
side on the hill (01903 882297).

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