Does the suspension on the GS430 adjust the height when you put it in sports mode? Is it possible that since its active like in other Lexus vehicles they will make a ride height controller for it? I really am not worried about a sporty ride like an m3 just a nice comfy dropped ride. I would buy a 430 over a 300 just for this feature. That and the extra HP I always told my self I should have gotten a v8 GS.

 

I don't believe it lowers the car, just adjusts the damper stiffness.

 

I don't think it should even be called an active suspension in the GS, just an adjustable suspension. The Active Body Control on the high end Benz adjust itself during hard cornering to minimize body lean . . .

 

just curious. i think on the ls430, when you go over certain speed the car is lowered a bit for aerodynamic, is that the case for the 3gs430?

 

They have the adjustable active air suspension on the LS430 UL, that's not available on the new GS.

 

The adjustable suspention relies on the air system and as the GS does not have this system (only the LS, LX and GX (rear only) have it, i think ) it is not adjustable. As noted, it just adjusts the shocks to give you a sportier ride versus a cushy touring ride.

As far as the LS goes it uses a "rebound spring" in the shock absorber to help the body stay level and stabil during turns. And yes the LS does lower itself after the vehicle is driven at a prescribed speed or high.

 

doesnt the ES have a feature something like that control ride feel by changing it from comfort to sport? is it anyway similar to that?

 

Even the LS suspension I would not call active. Active suspension means the suspension anticipates and is constantly and actively changing it's dynamics in response to road conditions.

Simply put, that means no matter on what roads or surfaces you drive, the car should remain flat, ride quality should remain the same, and when doing any sort of cornering or maneuvers, the car also stays flat. This means practically no body roll, or nose dive.

The LS air suspension ... all it does is lower itself at higher speeds for better aerodynamics.

The 2007 LS is rumoured to have a semi-active suspension ... which would dramatically improve ride quality and handling. I believe one of the Toyota Crown models in Japan already has a semi-active suspension as an available option.

 

TRD - I agree. I drove an SL500 with ABC and it's astounding. Of course the car is $90K+ so it should be good!

 

Yes the ABC is it's standard on the CL , S55/600 as well & it's optional on the S430/500.

 

I've always wondered why Lexus doesn't offer an active air supsension on the LS. I think the new one will, if not it might be a reliability issue.

 

AVS in LS/GS:
AVS is a computer-controlled system that continuously adjusts shock-absorber damping rates to help provide appropriate ride comfort and handling precision. Sensors monitor wheel speed, engine rpm, steering-wheel movement, brake application and vertical body motion to determine the ideal damping rate for each shock. The driver also has a console switch to select among four damping-firmness programs, from Sport to Comfort.
---

However,LX and GX system has height control as well as AVS, and GX's is semi-active. It being active does not mean it is perfect, just that it to certain degree it corrects vehicle movement.

It works just fine, you can clearly notice the difference through mountain roads...

 

on the LS430 which is semi active and controls nose dip and lowers for the lowest drag coefficient of any Sedan in the World. The AVS is not air suspension but is also active without the lowering ability. The LX is hydraulic lowering and raising for clearance. The GX rear uses air springs instead and the reason it weighs 900 lbs. less than the LX. We have AVS as a rarity on the ES series since the late 90's.

 

ah gotcha, so it's not available on the gs.... to be honest though, not that i really care about the active suspension

 

The GS doesn't need an active air suspension. I think Porsche uses traditional springs in all their mass produced cars. The Cayenne's air suspension appears to function similarly to those found in Lexus vehicles.
Though I'm fairly certain the 959 and CGT utilize an active air suspension.

Ferrari and MB use them, neither company is exactly known for reliability or endurance racing.

Cadillac has an optional magnetic shock system in the STS.

That said I wouldn't be suprised if the new LS further sophisticates VDIM with the incorporation of an active air suspension. I'm also hoping to finally see the all new 4.6L V8.