The 2008 Lexus GS sedan is available in three models. The GS 350 ($44,150) sports a 303-hp 3.5-liter V6. The GS 350 AWD ($46,100) adds all-wheel drive to the package. Both GS 350 models have a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shiftgate.
Standard equipment on the GS 350 includes thick, regency-style leather upholstery and a choice of wood trim in either bird's-eye maple (brown, black, or gray) or walnut; dual-zone automatic climate control; interior air filter; power tilt/telescoping wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; cruise control; heated 10-way power-adjustable front seats; memory for the driver's seat; mirrors and steering wheel; trunk pass-through; heated auto-dimming power exterior mirrors with tilt-down back-up aid; power windows; power locks; Lexus' SmartAccess keyless access and starting; sunroof; remote engine starting; 10-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo with six-disc CD changer; auxiliary audio input jack; vehicle information system with a seven-inch touch screen; Bluetooth wireless cell phone link; auto-dimming rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; power trunk closer; automatic xenon headlights; theft-deterrent system; fog lights; and P225/50WR17 tires on alloy wheels. The GS 350 AWD has P225/50R17 run-flat tires.
The GS 460 ($52,620) has a 342-hp V8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GS 450h ($54,900) features a hybrid powertrain that combines the 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission with six preset gear ratios for the manual shiftgate.
The GS 460 adds heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive headlights, an adaptive variable suspension with sport and normal modes, and P245/40ZR18 tires. The GS450h gets front and rear park assist, rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade, and headlight washers. It loses the trunk pass-through.
Options include a navigation system with voice recognition ($1850) which includes a rear backup camera; front and rear park assist ($500); Mark Levinson 330-watt audio system with 7.1 surround sound and DVD Audio playback ($1780); active vehicle stabilizer system ($3000); pre-collision braking system with radar-type cruise control ($2850); Lexus Link road assistance ($900); rain-sensing wipers with headlight washers; power rear sunshade ($210); ventilated front seats ($200); all-season run-flat tires ($320); rear spoiler ($200); and XM satellite radio ($486).
Safety features that come standard include dual front air bags, front and rear side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, curtain-type head-protection air bags both and front and rear, and a tire-pressure monitor. Front and rear park assist and a rearview camera are standard on the GS 450h and optional on the other models. Active safety features that come standard include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control (ESC). The GS 460 comes with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, an ESC system that processes steering angle, yaw rate, deceleration, brake pressure and wheel speed, and then uses the car's entire range of electronic controls for the engine, brake, and steering controls to help the driver control the car in an emergency handling situation. In contrast to conventional ESC systems, which react to a car's loss of control, VDIM has been developed to anticipate a dangerous situation, and then by making certain corrections, allow the driver to continue without even realizing the system is at work. The available Lexus pre-collision system uses a radar sensor to detect the onset of a collision and will automatically optimize chassis calibration for quick steering response, retract the front seatbelts, initialize brake assist and even decelerate the car at 0.3 g if the driver fails to take avoiding action.