Taste of Lexus - 凌志品味

美國各大汽車製造商，為鞏固形象，開拓市場，增加銷路，紛紛各出奇謀。每年於新型號推出之前，都會舉辦新車發佈會，近年除了於車行舉行例牌雞尾酒會促銷之外，更流行廣邀民眾試新車活動。

試新車，需要在空曠的地方，例如大球塲停車塲或停用了的空軍基地跑道之類的大平面。空軍基地跑道平坦而且視野廣闊，三合土路面又適合高速行駛，最適合不過。製造商今次於基地跑道上用修路用的路障(雪糕筒)設置約十四呎闊的試車道，讓來賓在毫無銷售壓力下，挑選自己喜歡的汽車型號，在試車道上馳騁。只要你在安全車速下(以沒有碰跌雪糕筒為原則)，他們任由你在絕對安全情况下飛馳，一嚐近乎賽車的滋味。

有時候，主辨商還會安排其他品牌的競爭對手型號，讓你於同一試車道上以貨比貨，讓你自己去發掘它們在性能上的分別。

今次由日本豐田車廠舉辧，名為Taste of Lexus的試車會為期兩週，於El Toro Marine Corps Air Station舉行，大會今次安排了三條各約四份三英哩長的試車道讓大家試駕各款型號：試車道一號用以測試ES 350 四門房車， RX330 SUV，RX400h (雙能源) SUV及SC430 roadster (雙門開蓬跑車)；二號試車道測試高性能豪華轎車 (luxury performance sedan)：包括凌志07年旗艦車 LS460L，平冶S550 和寶馬750i；三號跑道則安排了四款高性能轎跑車 (high performance sports sedan) IS250、IS350、GS350及GS450h供測試。每條試車道都有一段大直路讓車手嚐試於五、六秒內由靜止加速至60MPH(或更快)再短時間減速入急彎，以考驗車手、引擎和制動系统三方面的配合和反應；亦有無數的彎位考驗汽車的貼路性能(road holding)，更可短距離切線，以考驗汽車懸掛系统的隱定性.......。

以下為程某對個別型號測試後的個人觀感，並不一定代表產品質素和他人意見：

SC 430 – A fancy convertible with all the bells and whistles, except that it needs a more responsive engine to go with the high performance brakes. Driver seat is good for female driver, but absolutely not designed for the big guys – a down to earth "ladies’ car".

ES 350 – A spacious, quiet, up-scale family sedan which has nothing to surprise you, everything is within expectation. A car that won’t get you excited, but passengers will love the soft, floating, boat-like ride (kind of boring); definitely an automobile with a luxury look and that’s all it will provide. Brakes will shake in high speed stopping though.

GS 350 – This one really disappointed me big time. Heavy, slow, under power, a lot of body roll in even mid range speed (30 to 40 mph) maneuvering. Poorly performed when handling all curves, does not feel like a rear wheel drive car at all.

IS 350 – The only Lexus model that impresses me for the day. Compact, tight, small yet fast and responsive. Handle curves and sharp corner turns better than the GS, it is definitely an entry level performance sports sedan. But with a price tag of over $40k MSRP, you have plenty of choice with this budget. The “formula one shift” (gear shift is mounted on the steering wheel) is a cool thing when you want hands on the wheel all the time.

BMW 750i– Haha, this is a no compromise ultimate driving machine: slick, smooth and solid handling when tackling curves and corners (curve? what curve?), plenty of power to be delivered, the seat wraps around your body and hugs you tight all the time. Some road noice and engine noice to remind you that you are driving, not commuting.

Mercedez Benz S550 – This is a stable, solid, slow to deliver power in 1st to 2nd gear, it takes time to move this heavy machine, but when the momentum get into place, this machine will not yield to anybody. This pony needs a larger turning radius to make U-turn.