The 2001 LEXUS GS 430- The thrill quotient in the mid-luxury ranks moves up a notch as Lexus announces the 2001 GS 430. The GS 430 features a 300-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 with 325 lb.-ft. of torque that will propel the car from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Also for 2001, the GS sedan's exterior is revised and standard side curtain airbag supplemental restraint systems for the driver and front passenger have been added. Pricing for the GS 430 has been set at $47,355, an increase of $1,050 over the 2000 GS 400. On a comparably equipped basis, the increase is 0.3 percent over the previous generation GS.

Lexus more than a decade ago introduced the notion that luxury and value needn't be mutually exclusive. The GS 430 sedan continues Lexus luxury value leadership by pricing for thousands of dollars less than competitive models without skimping on technology, performance or comfort.

The performance is astounding in this sport luxury sedan: With the boost in torque, the GS 430 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds (compared to 6.0 seconds for the 2000 GS 400) and can cover the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds. The engine performs as if it had another half-liter of displacement, due in large part to Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). This innovative system optimizes valve overlap throughout the engine's speed range (not just at one or two set speeds) and in all operating conditions, eliminating the traditional compromise between low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower. The new high-performance V8 engine in the GS 430 meets the federal Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) certification and uses no more fuel than the smaller-displacement engine it replaces.

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Dramatic design has set the GS apart from the mid-luxury crowd since its introduction: For 2001, Lexus freshened its distinct appearance with revised front and rear styling details. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, which enhance visibility for night driving, are newly standard on the GS 430. New six-spoke alloy wheels give the car a more rakish profile, and the taillights feature a simplified design.

More Luxury and Quality for 2001: New luxury details for the 2001 GS 430 include a standard leather wrapped steering wheel with controls for the audio system, an electronic compass, water-repellent front door glass, and additional interior wood trim. A new available touch-screen navigation system employs DVD-based map data, replacing a system that stored map data on a computer hard drive. The system's LCD display also provides control functions for the audio and automatic climate control systems and the trip computer.

AThe GS 430 gains a distinguished option for 2001, joining the LS 430 flagship sedan and the LX 470 sport utility vehicle in offering the industry's first OEM installations of Mark Levinson audio systems. Audiophiles have acknowledged Mark Levinson as a leader in high-end home audio components since the early 1970s. The eight-speaker Lexus system features discrete amplifier design with ultra-low crossover distortion. All occupants enjoy optimal sound quality, no matter where they're sitting.

Luxury that Performs Now: The GS 430 driver faces a performance-oriented three-pod instrument cluster, complete with the Lexus-signature Optitron lighting that silhouettes the gauge pointers and markings. Panel brightness adjusts automatically according to ambient lighting conditions. The dual-zone automatic climate control system features soft-touch controls, an activated charcoal micron filter and a "smog" sensor. When the sensor detects certain levels of hydrocarbon pollution, such as from a vehicle traveling in front, it switches the system into recirculation mode. Rear seat passengers benefit from air conditioning vents in the back of the center console. The multi-function remote entry system allows the driver to open the front and rear windows and the available moonroof, especially helpful for ventilating the interior before entering the car on a hot day. JH/AutoNetDirect.com

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