Alex K

This originally came from Auto-Bild's test. Here's the press release, issued in August...

Nah, that's Boreal Green. In my opinion, it doesn't suit the car. Flint Mica in the US is known as Aleutian Grey in the UK, although in Lexus GB's wisdom it's not available on the GS. Hence why I haven't bought one.

Full info... http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/lexus...limited_edition

No, but I'd notice losing my warranty.

No. That's a colour introduced for the GS450h. Caspian Sky isn't blue.

IIRC, £941 if you approach an Inchcape dealer via autobytel. £1,641 (or thereabouts) if you use drivethedeal.com

I can answer that for Tony, as it's in the EXIF data - Fuji FinePix S602 Zoom.

Just in case any prospective new GS owners are out there, having a hard time deciding which colour to choose, did you know there's one missing? Currently, we've got a choice of nine:- St Lucia Pearl Caspian Sky Palladio Silver Astral Black Mesa Red Kalahari Sand Boreal Green Canterbury Blue Athabasca Shale There's a tenth colour that's missing from that list. In Europe, it's known as Anthracite Grey, in the US, it's Flint Mica, and in the UK we get it on other models (such as the RX and LS) as Aleutian Grey. I asked Lexus GB why it isn't offered on the GS. They said there was no specific reason, but went on to say "...however if the market dictates greater demand we will endeavour to add this colour." So, if anyone's about to order a new GS but wants another colour to choose from, head on over to http://www.lexus.co.uk/contact.php?area=contact and let them know.

You're lucky to get any kind of a spare these days. Most new cars are coming through with foam kits instead.

Just press the Start button without your foot on the brake pedal. Cycles just like the positions on a normal ignition barrel, i.e. Acc, Ignition, etc...EDIT: Oops, Lexusjohn beat me to it!

4car have posted their road test review of the new Lexus GS. http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/L/...s05-/gs05-.html Summary: Assets High-tech safety kit, refinement, hybrid option, Lexus reliability and quality, handsome looks Drawbacks No diesel option, hard ride, poor steering feel, lack of character; VDIM and pre-crash safety systems only in GS430 model Verdict It's not quite the all-out sports saloon Lexus claims it to be, but it's a comfortable, sophisticated, high-quality choice with some unique touches

I wonder what school he went to...

New Lexus GS300 achieves five star Euro NCAP rating The new Lexus GS has been awarded a best-in-class five star rating in the latest EuroNCAP crash test for adult occupant protection with 35 points. The new GS also received the maximum score for side impact, and a top-in-class result for the frontal impact test with 15 out of 16 points. In addition, the new GS achieved a best-in-class result for pedestrian protection with a total of 18 points (two stars) and a rating of 41 points (four stars) for child protection. These remarkable results make the new GS the safest car of the executive class for adult occupant protection and pedestrian protection. The new Lexus GS is equipped with the most technologically advanced active and passive safety systems available. These include a new Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system that automatically prepares front seatbelt and emergency braking to help reduce collision damage and injury. PCS works in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically controls the GS's speed in relation to that of the vehicle ahead. The GS430 adopts the latest generation of Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). This integrates ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) active safety systems with the Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) to give better performance, traction control and stability. The GS is equipped with up to 12 airbags. Rear seatbelt pretensioners are fitted as standard, as is Adaptive Front-lighting (AFS), which improves visibility through bends. The car's front bumper, cowl and bonnet have been designed to offer better protection against pedestrian injuries in a collision. The comprehensive use of thickened cross members allied to extensive bracing within the floor platform offers enhanced torsional rigidity to significantly improve both driving dynamics and impact safety for the new GS. The high durability of the crash box and front side member, together with the enlargement of bumper reinforcements, further enhance energy absorbing efficiency. "The Lexus GS has been created with the express aim of achieving maximum safety," says Karl Schlicht, Vice-President of Lexus Europe. "Our target was not only to protect the cabin occupant when an accident occurs but also to develop innovative accident avoidance systems like Pre-Crash Safety and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. We are delighted to see our efforts recognised by these outstanding EuroNCAP crash test results." The new Lexus GS300 and GS430 go on sale in the UK from 15 April. Pictures here: http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/new_l...uro_ncap_rating

I don't know of any, but I'm asking around for you.It's definitely not grey, though. It's a colour that will play havoc with in-camera light meters and white balance sensors, so none of the pictures on the web will be a very good likeness. PM me with your email address and I'll drop you a line if I find anything.

Yes, I can confirm that.Lexus Bracknell have a GS300 in the showroom (in Athabasca Shale).

That depends. If you're only interested in accelerating from 0-60mph all the time and nothing else, then yes, the performance difference probably won't be huge. If, however, you drive in the real world and are more concerned about in-gear acceleration (30-50mph, 50-70mph, etc), then the performance increase will be significant.Moreover, if you're a company car driver paying tax based on emissions, then the GS450h will prove even more interesting.

LEXUS UNVEILS HYBRID GS450H AT NEW YORK AUTO SHOW Lexus continues to rock the luxury car market as it unveiled yet another ground-breaking hybrid vehicle, with the Lexus GS450h taking the stage today at the New York International Auto Show. Based closely on the new GS luxury sport saloon that goes on sale in the UK next month, the GS450h is the world’s first hybrid luxury saloon and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear-wheel drive. While the application of hybrid power to a high-performance luxury sport saloon is certainly new ground, Lexus is using hybrid technology proven over several years and hundreds of thousands of miles of testing and consumer use. The result is sports-car like performance, with 0-60 acceleration in substantially less than six seconds and combined fuel economy more typical of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder compact saloon, along with one of the lowest emission ratings in the world. A completely new Lexus Hybrid powertrain was created to power the new GS450h. The system combines a 3.5-litre V6 engine with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor – all driving the rear wheels. Combined power output will be similar to a 4.5-litre V8 engine, delivering in excess of 300 bhp. Even more impressive is the torque delivered during mid-range acceleration. The system’s massive electric motor is capable of delivering maximum torque, immediately upon demand. This unique power delivery characteristic is most noticeable, and most useful, during 30-50 mph passing manoeuvres. The Lexus GS450h is targeted for sale in the middle of 2006. The new GS300 and GS430 go on sale in the UK from 15 April this year followed in June by the world’s first hybrid luxury SUV, the Lexus RX400h. Lexus GS450h Preliminary Specifications (USA model) Engine / electric drive motor: 3.5-litre V6 engine / permanent magnet electric motor Power: bhp equivalent to 4.5-litre V8 engine Driven wheels: Rear 0-60 mph: Under 6 seconds Fuel economy: Similar to the average 2-litre, 4-cyl. compact saloon Photos available at: http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/lexus..._york_auto_show

Sorry! For what it's worth, everyone I've spoken to that's actually seen Glacier Frost in the flesh has said it looks far more blue than it does in the photos. Hence why Lexus EU have called it Glacier Blue I guess. Lexus PR haven't released any shots of the GS in that colour, although I'd expect them to soon. I'll drop you a line if I see anything. You'd be surprised how good a match modern paint processes can get now. I really wouldn't worry about that too much.

There's no factory wheel option so there's no upgrade path.

More pictures here: http://www.clublexus.com/index.php/article...eview/2474/1/10 These shots show off the pearl finish (warning: they're hyooge)... http://www.yaro1.com/sitebuildercontent/si...ictures/gs1.jpg http://www.yaro1.com/sitebuildercontent/si...ctures/gs15.jpg http://www.yaro1.com/sitebuildercontent/si...ctures/gs20.jpg I was settled on the SE, but I really want those 18" alloys from the '430. They're probably £500 a pop from a dealer, so £2,100 more for the SE-L over the SE with the Mark Levinson system and rear lip spoiler thrown in almost seems like a good deal. It's just the SE-L's sunroof that's my concern - robs headroom. Now all I've gotta do is convince Lexus GB that they've left Flint Mica/Anthracite off their shade chart by mistake (after all, the PR stuff I have here says "...available in 10 colours..." but they list only nine)...

This is Caspian Sky (aka Glacier Frost, Glacial Blue)... I see the prices are up on the Lexus.co.uk website, too:- GS300 - £30,395.00 GS300 SE - £35,895.00 GS300 SE and Sunroof - £36,745.00 GS300 SE-L - £37,995.00 GS300 SE-L and ACC / PCS - £40,095.00 GS430 - £46,750.00

I agree about Kalahari Sand (aka Chardonnay Pearl). The press shots I've seen make it look like an updated version of Gold - a fine choice for some people, I'm sure, just not me. The red, I think, looks great in bright Californian sunshine, but here in damp old blighty I suspect it's not so hot.My dealer winced when talking about Caspian Sky. It's a colour he's not seen before, and he couldn't get the past the idea of it being "...a bizarre kind of white" (his words). Which I don't think it is - the shots I've seen on the web make it look very similar to a great colour I had on a Peugeot once called Moonstone, but with an incredible metal-flake depth to it. I'd love to see it in the flesh. The best anti-silver I could come up with, in the absence of Flint Mica, was Athabasca Shale (aka Quartz Shadow Metallic), although I'd still need to see it. When does the car arrive? I'm excited enough as it is, and I haven't even ordered yet.

I'm waiting to see one in the flesh, first. Desperately trying to avoid going for silver, despite it probably being the best colour in the chart. My choice would have been for Flint Mica (aka Anthracite Grey in Europe) but it seems that's the only colour we *won't* be getting in the UK. What did you go for in the end?

I was told official pricing will be available 'end of March' but a guide of £35k for the SE without roof was offered, so I guess that fits in with what you've got here. My post of last month about the confirmed specs can be found here:- http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...ST&f=51&t=20255

Just read this in AutoExpress... A bottle of champagne, a free valet and a tank of fuel - that's what Lexus is giving 5,937 RX300 owners in the UK to make up for the 4x4's recall. Every latest-generation car is being called back due to a brake light problem. A Lexus spokesman said: "No related accidents have been reported, but we hope these gifts will compensate drivers for any inconvenience caused." I can see people getting upset because their car wasn't part of the recall...!