Lexus GS F
earlier in the year we were rather beguiled by the mix of Japanese tech mixed and rather more traditional engineering. One example would be the passive Sachs dampers, their fixed rate offering the kind of flow and consistency multi-mode offerings in rivals like the M5 and new E63 can't quite match. So is it good news or bad news both the GS F and related RC F will now ship as standard with new Adaptive Variable Suspension?
We'll have to drive the cars to find out of course. The more single-minded approach offered by Lexus had some purist appeal but when customers switching from rival products ask why they don't get the switchable dampers they're used to in their BMW, Mercedes or Audi, dealers will have likely struggled to make this a convincing selling point. Perversely it's a pity also that Lexus has decided to include AVS dampers as the standard fit, rather than offer them as an option. This 'all in' spec is another refreshing change from the German approach of making you pay extra for everything, but it does rather remove choice from the equation.
Anyway. Enough Luddite moaning; the new system certainly sounds interesting. "The driver-selectable, electronic AVS monitors and controls the damping force at each wheel, adjusting instantaneously to ensure handling stability and ride comfort according to road conditions and the driver's preferences," says the press release. "The system uses an array of sensors which constantly monitor parameters such as G-forces, yaw rate and vehicle speed. Based on this data, the AVS can adjust the level of damping force through 30 levels, ensuring optimum control on all road surfaces. This marks a significant refinement in operation compared to Lexus's previous system, which spanned nine operating levels."
As ever with these systems AVS has a wider scope than just offering variable ride; it can also increase damping in a targeted manner to offset roll, dive and squat and is linked to the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and the Drive Mode Select system. And if that gives us an excuse to spend more time with the RC F and GS F to find out how it works then that's no bad thing in our books.