THE Lexus GS, Toyota's answer to the BMW 5-series, has had a chequered history.

The first generation, penned by Italian design house Giugiaro, was too large and unwieldy for the purpose. It was also not as refined as you would expect a Lexus to be.

The second generation was spot on as far as driveability was concerned. In fact, it handled better than its German compatriot.

The latest generation, introduced here in 2005, boasted high sophistication and build quality. It had presence (it's the first Lexus to bear the charismatic identity which we now see in the new Lexus IS and LS), a high equipment level (keyless access and ignition, touch-screen master control, ventilated memory seats, two-stage airbags) and lots of comfort (only the LS is quieter).

But it lacked the sharpness and agility of the second generation model. And its V6, although smoother than its predecessor's inline-6, lacked its grunt and texture.

Last year, a direct injection variant was introduced. It had more oomph and was more fuel efficient. But otherwise, its behaviour was unchanged.

To make the GS300 more enticing, the car now comes with a free upgrade to a BMW 540i.

Just kidding. Made you sit up, didn't it?

Seriously though, the GS300 now comes with two handling enhancement features. First, it has Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), a system that combines a buffet of electronic stability aids to give the car optimal traction when driven enthusiastically.

Next, it has Adaptive Variable Suspension, which continuously adjusts damping firmness to suit road and driving conditions.

It would be easy to say that the package has made a huge difference. But it hasn't - not if you're tooling around in the city anyway. What is discernible, however, is an improvement to the ride quality. It is distinctly firmer and less prone to wallowing whenever the road contour changes.

In Sport mode, Adaptive Variable Suspension shores up damping further to give the car an edgier feel.

There is no legal way to fully test how VDIM influences the car's dynamics. But it appears the system tends to activate the ABS more readily than expected.

Although the car is relatively light (kerb weight of just over 1.6 tonnes), you still feel its heft at times. Such as when braking and turning hard.

The other changes to the GS are mostly cosmetic (tweaks to the grille, steering wheel, gear shift gate and instrument binnacle). The wing mirrors have turning lights now and the base model gets a reverse camera and air cleaner.

The top grade variant has a wooden steering wheel, diagramatic park assistance and an extra airbag for rear occupants.

The best news, however, is that all the Lexus qualities are intact. At the wheel, you get an undiminished sensation of quality that envelops you. Each and every control stalk, knob, switch and lever operates like it is piped to a reservoir of lubricating gel.

Cabin amenities are also hard to fault. In this department, Lexus is still pretty much in a league of its own.

LEXUS GS300
Price: From $193,000 with COE
Engine: 2,995cc 24-valve V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with quick shift
Power: 245bhp at 6,200rpm
Torque: 310Nm at 3,500rpm
0-100kmh: 7.2 seconds
Top speed: 240kmh
Fuel consumption: 14 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Borneo Motors