New Gs300

[JCC]

The new GS is available with a 4 wheel drive option. So is this faster or slower than the 2 wheel drive version?

It must be heavier, so should be slower.

But! The 2 wheel drive cannot always put down all the power and so the traction control cuts in. The 4 wheel drive should be able to put it all down and so should accelerate faster.

Opinions?

[maneesh]

According to lexus usa website, the AWD version is 1,705kg, and the RWD version is 1,604kg. The RWD is quoted as 0-60 of 6.8 secs, whilst the AWD is quoted as 6.9 secs. So not a big deal in straight line oomph.. :D

The biggest difference is top end speed, where the AWD is 130mph versus 143mph for RWD. :o

Both the AWD and RWD are fitted with 225/50 17 inch tyres. However, the AWD tyres are all season run-flats. Not sure if the tyres will be better or worse than the regular ones?

The AWD uses 10% more fuel on highways too.

In ordinary situations, the VSC and TC is quite good at stopping the wheels spinning. Apart from the usual benefits in snow, the AWD would offer much higher levels of traction and grip if cornering pretty quickly in wet weather conditions. That's where you might be able to accelerate faster.

Personally, I tend to slow down a lot when the roads are wet, whether the car has AWD or not.

[JCC]

Thanks for the info. I suppose that the real advantage is in snow. Thats when RWD loses out.