Knockdown

"Jamba, Jamba!" - Little girl in the four-wheeled bike pokes tiny finger in the new Lexus GS. Know-know Dzhukayba Jamba - it's an alien from the movie "Lilo and Stitch," and obese chetyrehglazy. No, the girl on a fat Jamba was like most previous Lexus GS. And this brand-new, much thinner and sharper. But there is a continuity of the image - and this is a serious compliment to always seek toyotovskih designers. The new Lexus GS has turned into a measure of well-fed, reasonably dynamic. He original and expressive in no way inferior "Europeans." Visual center of gravity shifted back now, so that in profile resembles a large sedan hatchback. In the guise of the Lexus almost no direct quotations from competitors - at least from mersedesovskogo Quotations do not have any. But in the inner loop pillar now correctly read "bend Hoffmeister" - tribal mark BMW. Hint to new priorities? But compared with the leaner "Five» BMW Lexus is more like a polar bear, squatting on his haunches. Even in a dull blue color Bavarian car looks spectacular. Over time, we find that for "five" all the more interesting camera angles and get used to ignore the lurid Asiatic. And "five" beckons. But the softness and harmony exemplary lines of Mercedes E-class is less exciting - you want something straight from the tin. How soon will restyling? A couple of years ... Design Audi A6 in the company - the most concise. External modesty has always been a virtue, Audi, and almost no damage vyrazitelnosti.Chrysler 300C - a complete contrast to all of them! Arrogant self-confidence and expansion of chromium, "shock and awe" through any given intersection unfriendly. Sort of the U.S. Embassy on Wheels. The impressive facade, a simple garden - and a huge 18-inch "rollers democracy." In order to avoid incidents in the United States surrounded by a tall wall with a window-embrasures. For a complete resemblance to the armored car lacks only the machine gun turret on kryshe.Salon not devoid of taste and amazing size - sitting in the Chrysler, though it Hummer H2. There is also far referred rectangular windshield through which sluggish go small "dvornichki," such as "vertical" and the thick A-pillars. Similar problems with visibility ago. The massive front panel is not conducive to tapping or probing - it wants to slam his palm on the wide open slopes. But plastic is not very nice, too "rubbery". Here is the big wheel, and chrome interior door handles - like the classic refrigerator. As the Americans say, from "fridzha." In the plump leather chairs and read a nice collapse Wall Street Journal, drink some coffee from a huge plastic cup. But in a sharp turn from a seat just slips out. But the range of adjustment the steering column and seats in the Chrysler enormous. Even the pedals are equipped with electric drive. That's the only difference between the level of the pedals is that by adjusting the landing "on the brake pedal," do not get to akseleratora.Est here and a few nice detalek like a neat or elegant selector of hours "machine." They remind touching cataloging turbidity, without which can not do any head table of the average American ... A most pleasant impression on the trivia - Deflection ventilation with nice-looking and, most importantly, to the touch polzunkami.Interer "Five» BMW put on your head better. No problems here, and ergonomics - unless, of course, do not assume uncommittable steering column levers and too powerful "ah-drive." But the aesthetic pleasure that emphasized functional microcosm also does not deliver. BMW minimalist interior is absolutely not mousy. And - oh, mein Gott! - The quality of plastic in places, too, leaves much to be luchshego.Nam prefer the sporty Audi and techno mersedesovskaya cozy classic. Each of these stores its own style, but they are united by a feeling of solidity and high quality. Perfectly matched color and texture, impeccable materials. But the Audi interior is more spacious, it is slightly better built and better thought out the ergonomics: the range of adjustments here anymore, and steering column levers - Full komplekt.A that Lexus? Japanese interior built as high quality - it just lacks a little imagination. But strict plastic front we are very impressed, and some parts are great. For example, "optitronnye" devices with metal dials, in which we simply fell in love. Or a stylish button starter. Or white LEDs light in the twilight fill the interior of the Lexus mysterious moon glow. Here are just a tight fit Lexus: 190 cm growth driver literally propped his head ceiling, and the ranges of many elektroregulirovok enough not to all. There are openly contentious issues, such as the sliding of the control unit electronics service that is hidden in the front left of the steering wheel. There, among other things, are adjustable exterior mirrors and keys unlock the trunk - to them I would like to have direct access. But if you still have not re-issued on CD rarities, they can listen in and attached to a CD-changer, "cassette". This is probably the only unquestionable advantage of audio Mark Levinson ... Rear passengers in the Lexus convenient - if not to climb back together. Otherwise, the edges of the ceiling and crushes, and put your feet get. And the average passenger would complain more, and the high tunnel in the legs. The same pattern and BMW, and Audi, but there is more space above your head. A very spacious - Chrysler. Here, at least two, at least three ... Complete freedom of assembly! But we felt very comfortable all the same back sofa E-Class: although it is double, but the shape of the seat allows to use the whole width of the cabin. In addition, only here you can order separate climate kontrol.Samy roomy trunk - in the Audi: 546 liters. Smooth wall, under the floor - a full-size spare tire. There is a hatch for long-length, and in extreme cases can be folded back in parts of the back. And Lexus - and that does cost the 430-liter trunk with strongly narrowed opening. At Chrysler's cargo bay a little bigger (442 hp), but inside it is sheathed by rough, cut at random synthetic felt, even unpleasant to look at. Under the rug, as if carved out of an old soldier's overcoat, hidden "dokatku." The handle on the inside of the lid is missing. Undignified ... Complete uniformity of engines and transmissions, alas, will not work. When Chrysler and Mercedes are equipped with V-shaped "six" working volume of 3.5 liters, all other sedans - with a three-liter engines. Furthermore, among the machines monoprivodnyh polnoprivodnik wormed his way - this time it's not Audi, as happens often, and Mercedes 4Matic. A sedan Audi A6 3.0, we found only with front-wheel drive and CVT klinotsepnym Multitronic.Samy fast in our company - Mercedes. The new 272-strong "six" pulls 1800-kg car with an enviable passion. From zero to 100 km / h - just over 7 seconds. These three and a half hundreds of "Newtonian" and still be "automatic" poprovornee - such as seven-7G-tronic. Alas: the all-wheel drive vehicles only put five-speed box the previous generation. But neither the weight nor the transmission "handicap", neither too soft "machine" does not interfere with the engine to breathe in all its 24 valves and having fun growling disperse "eshku" up to 248 km / ch.No what Lexus! It almost does not lag behind. On the dispersal of "hundreds" he loses all three Mercedes "ten"! At 150 km / h gap between them - less than a second, at two hundred - less than two seconds. By that time, Lexus is ahead of the lighter "five» BMW was almost three seconds! And with measurements of elasticity, ie the ability to accelerate in a certain range of speeds, power plant toyotovsky already dominates. In the transition to kick-down «automatic" does not come down consistently on two levels "down" and just "tuck" right gear - and as a result of Lexus replays more powerful Mercedes. While Lexus is not perceived within this high-spirited. Utaplivayut accelerator - and the car just rolls, gently rustling his perfect 250-horsepower engine with direct injection and six-speed transmissions quietly going through the box. Superb sound isolation, the almost complete absence of wind noise ... All this further negates the sense of dynamics! Whether business "Five» BMW. To press the accelerator it responds rapidly roll, seasoned menacing growl inline 230-horsepower engine. Shift six-speed "automatic" is very fast, but steps are replaced by harder, more sensitive. The wind rustled distinctly under the door - that's BMW 530i and subjectively perceived as the most dynamic car in our company. But the Lexus to catch up to the end of the five-kilometer road dynamometric "five" and can not: even though "the maximum speed» BMW for a couple of miles per hour higher than Japanese cars, but too much was lost during acceleration ... Exercises for flexibility - an excellent demonstration of the supernatural opportunities for klinotsepnogo variator Multitronic Audi. Pressing the gas pedal - and pulleys of the variator at once take the right position for the most efficient acceleration. Control acceleration in Audi, perhaps the most pleasant, for example, in sport mode Multitronic cleverly mimics the traditional "machine", but without the side effects - shock and delays. The increase in speed is absolutely predictable - Audi follows the pedal straight-away with a dog's devotion. As a result, CVT, with its flexible feature partly compensates for the lack of power Audi. After a three-liter engine from the previous model the A6 is developing "only" 218 hp and 290 Nm, and it weighs almost as machine "Five» BMW. But where the miracle box powerless loss is obvious - to a point 200 km / h Audi gets nearly six seconds longer than the Lexus. The heavy Chrysler - an obvious outsider to boost straight. It is only good fervent roar of a 24-valve engine. Four-"machine" works pretty smoothly, but it lacks the speed - the delay is too great. After losing two seconds to Mercedes to the first "hundred", the second Canadian Express comes with a 16-second delay. One feels how hard 'three hundredth "chrome shield breaks track into the oncoming flow ... And at around 222 km / h wind resistance becomes irresistible, and dispersal prekraschaetsya.Zato with brakes at Chrysler's all right. And with such a mass, you see, it is more important dizzying momentum. Braking distance when stopping from 100 km / h - 36 m. A brilliant result! But the driver Lexus, on the contrary, under intense braking difficulties arise - not enough feedback. And on the brake slightly behind Lexus and BMW, and Audi A6 Kraysleru.S occurred nuisance. When braking from low speeds were fine. However, slowing from a speed of 200 km / h, an expert test and could not push the pedal to trigger the ABS, while the struggling 120-130 lbs! Most likely it's the poor quality brake pads are prone to early peregrevu.Mercedes E-Class stand out. Its hydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control - out of competition. Electronically controlled mechanisms are upset with the car "hundreds" of 34 m - a result worthy of a small, lightweight sports car. At the same time devoid of mechanical linkages pedal is quite informative and totally free of vibration running ABS. With "electronic" brake Mercedes there's only one problem - a psychological one. The problem of trust. It's no secret that thousands of Mercedes cars around the world recently, the control unit reprogrammed "sensotronika": ostensibly to avoid the spontaneous transition into emergency mode when the force on the brakes working passes "spare" hydraulic system. One program has been fixed. But who can guarantee that no more than others? However, progress is unstoppable. After eight Lexus GS430, a more powerful version of our 'three hundredth, "also is equipped with electro-hydraulic brakes similar ... In general the mass introduction of clever electronics in the control system we were a bit annoying. No, we're not backward-minded and very much welcome the progress in the field of active and passive safety. But we are opposed to the electronics always thought of us! That's why we do not quite work like active steering on the test "Five» BMW. The system is Active Steering does not add confidence when you fly on dynamometric way to "maximum speed". At this speed, stiff suspension, "five" and so abundant transmits disturbance from roads on the steering wheel - to stay straight, sharp, sensitive steering wheel has to keep two hands. In addition, more and interference reducer active steering is more jerks - nepriyatno.Nam not like the fact that when an adjustment to the drift off the wheel stabilization system on the BMW tightly "bites" in the extreme position - with the wheels turned inside out in the direction of the skid. Apparently, at this point, the system "understands" that the critical angle of drift is exceeded, further stabilization is impossible, and safer to just dovernut car 180 degrees ... But if you have nowhere to turn, if the "five" sweeps sideways bump, and better meet its wheels with "straight"? But attempts to unscrew the steering wheel against the importation of gear rattle speak only ... Whatever it was, but to deny a driver the possibility to turn the wheel on their understanding is wrong, even if the driver is not right. This is frightening and creates the very problem nedoveriya.A still "five" suffered for beauty. We got the car on the elegant 18-inch wheels, which it certainly go. But it is not the first freshness low-profile tires Dunlop Sport SP 01 (245/40 R18 front and 275/35 R18 rear) make the "five" is too sharp, harsh and dangerous on wet surfaces. Hence, lower than might be expected, estimates for the handling and smoothness hoda.Chrysler 300C also betrayed our expectations. Perhaps, against the background of purebred American cars, of which there are fewer, and he will go for the "European". But it is not surrounded by the cream "business class". I remember, there was a song: "Oh, my charabanc, an American ..." It's about Chrysler. Inside are all the possible size and shape peaks of vertical acceleration. On the waves rocking sedan and vertically and from side to side. Felt the vibration of the unsprung masses, often accompanied by more and knock. And the sand on the wheel arches in Chrysler rings loudest, but the engine is clearly audible even at 150 km / h. And here are the tires shumnye.V handling of Chrysler and Mercedes kin have nothing in common - the passengers of the "American" and does not leave the sensation of driving the SUV. Reactions to the steering wheel are lazy and not particularly accurate. Loose suspension work out badly uneven, causing a deviation of the trajectory, forcing the wheel to twitch spontaneously. At high speed the driver feels bad and heavy car too hard, trying to keep her on the path. The low level of effort on the steering wheel is combined with little information, illogical and totally unnatural feedback. In the steep, tight turns at the wheel comes to a lot of vibration, and the strong diagonal leads to a buildup of yaw. For lack of sensitivity is added too much understeer - you have too much twist rulem.V limiting regimes like the only work of the stabilization system - it is the only one in our company to effectively fight the front wheels slip, when Chrysler's demolition of floats outward bend. But in general control of Chrysler leaves the impression that it has not done on purpose, but simply resigned to the fact that happened after alteration mersedesovskogo chassis. And on what happened, I want to ride smoothly and slowly. Otherwise, just boyazno.A's first impression of the Mercedes is quite different - it is something very elastic, firmly whipped egg. While not quick you go, Mercedes repeats at some length profile of the road, but not bad "rounding" irregularities. Hard bumps shocks work more efficiently, creating the illusion of power-intensive suspension. There is no hint of the probe, and the steering wheel vibration almost no passing. However, with increasing speed, he starts to jump on the asphalt waves, swaying on the elastic elements - so much so that, on a good run uhnuv with prigorochka, you can get protected steel pan to the ground. Features mersedesovskoy handling due to the elasticity of the same suspension and vigilance nondisconnectable stabilization system: the big banks, a bit blurred smooth response - and there are no unpleasant surprises. A four-wheel drive Mercedes to the pavement appears only in the larger-than-normal tendency to drift under tyagoy.Upravlyat Audi is much more interesting than the Mercedes, and hardly more complicated. Convenient sensitivity steering clear front-reaction, to the extent of gambling chassis tuning. Easy steering clear of vibration and provides good feedback. And in the limit of Audi pleases a wide margin, and soft grip on the slides. That's just not the stabilization system helps the driver during the demolition, and the steering wheel to shut up significantly, "perestavka" - to dodge the obstacles can be sudden, but just as quickly unscrew the steering wheel in the opposite direction is no longer an Audi poluchitsya.Podveska stiffer than the Mercedes: it is more sensitive to minor flaws, but the body is less rocking, more rigorous tracking of the road profile. However, at high speed and intensity of vertical jolts perevalivany from one side to reach an unpleasant urovnya.No to understand this, you need to know the Lexus. For Japanese sedan has an almost standard smoothness! He did not notice traffic details, not shaken and not jump up - with him at all, nothing happens. He seemed to hover above the road. Even at low speeds to maintain equanimity Lexus manages, reacting only to the hard blows of the most unscrupulous of the pit. And while handling the Lexus is accurate, easy and pleasant. Driving on straight runs and impressively relaxed because of low sensitivity in the near-zero area. But when you rebuild reactions become more acute - just enough to justify the "beemveshny" design-pillars. Electric power steering steering wheel fills a little artificial, but a logical and informative jet action. In this case the wheel seems to be very "transparent", although it is easy and not so loaded with an array of information, both at BMW. It appears to enjoy a decent sense of the car, do not necessarily feel every blade of grass with his hands on the pavement under wheel steering, On the driver's careless actions insures Stability can not be disabled. But it works so intelligent, that by going to the brink, sometimes difficult to determine what keeps you on the path - one only own skill, or to help electronics has already come ... and not without a soft drayverskogo Lexus lights habits we have conquered. And when we saw the price tag of a "basic» GS300 ($ 61,900), then immediately forgot about the few drawbacks of this machine. Because the Lexus for $ 15,000 cheaper than BMW 530i and $ 12,000 cheaper rear-wheel drive Mercedes E350! Even the three-liter Audi A6 sedan is less than $ 63,636, not to buy. These figures are given pause even to very wealthy people. It seems to us that the total knock-out European classmates while saving only a small Russian quotas on new Lexus GS300 - it is planned to sell only 500 mashin.Vozmozhno, the Lexus will soon appear serious new competitors - the same Mercedes, BMW and Audi, but in the form of so-called Jahreswagen, brand second-hand from Europe. As a rule, Jahreswagen - it's expensive car, returning from the annual corporate lease in good condition, with valid manufacturer's warranty. Russian Mission manufacturers could import vehicles such as new and sell to private traders at lower prices. But these are only plans. A Lexus is already here. And the first victim of the polar bear may become a Chrysler 300C 3.5 for $ 56 470. Chrysler exchange for Lexus with a surcharge of five thousand - for the Russian people are not familiar with the slogan «Remember Pearl Harbor!», This is a direct sense