Autoweek has picked up a 2007 Lexus GS 350 for their fleet, and their first impressions are decidedly mixed:

Some of our drivers loved the exterior styling of the GS, while others found it amorphous. The interior also divided drivers; they called it either comfortable or eerily numbing.

I have to agree with any criticism of the GS’s new styling. While the front end is a satisfying amalgamation of the standard GS cues & the new L-finesse design language that’s shared among all new Lexus models, the backend of the vehicle is exactly as Autoweek says, “amorphous.” Far too large in proportion, the expansive derrière is no doubt a result of trying to differentiate the GS from the latest ES (which, in my opinion, is a much better looker of the two).

One interesting fact in Autoweek’s first impression regards the V6 of the GS 350 as compared to the GS 430’s V8:

Lexus says the GS 350 awd gives up 0.6 second to the [GS 450h] hybrid from 0 to 60 mph (5.8 seconds versus 5.2), and — for now, at least — this new direct-injected six actually outpowers the 290-hp V8 in the GS 430.

London-based UK company Chauffeur First has announced plans to go green by replacing their existing fleet with Lexus hybrids, namely the GS 450h and LS 600h.

Chauffeur-First has already taken on 18 Lexus GS 450h performance saloons, all top-of-the-range SE-L models, with two of the new LS 600h luxury saloons due for delivery and a further five GS 450h. The company hopes to order another 20 Lexus hybrid cars before the end of the year.

Its existing 62-vehicle fleet includes BMW, Mercedes and Audi executive models, as well as conventionally powered Lexus GS 300s. Chauffeur-First intends to phase these out and replace them with Lexus hybrids, retaining only a contingent of Chrysler Grand Voyager MPVs for use when extra capacity is required.

Even when looked at from a purely business perspective, this good marketing move by the company, differentiating them from what is no doubt a highly competitive business. This will also save them money, and not only in petrol; London commuters must pay an £8/per day congestion charge when entering selected zones.

[Source: Newspress]
[Via: Green Car Congress]