1998 Lexus GS 400 Luxury and performance. By Mike Knepper, New Car Test Drive .com

When the man from Lexus handed me the keys to the GS400 another car in the driveway blocked it from

view, so I took the keys and went back to the keyboard without looking at the car. Later, when it was

time for a first drive, I walked back outside and my jaw dropped.

Bathed in deep garnet metallic blue, the GS 400 was stunning with a sleek aerodynamic shape that ended with a free-standing rear spoiler and five-spoke aluminum wheels. Some critics have charged that Lexus cars, though nearly flawless, are somewhat lacking in character. It was immediately obvious that this GS 400 was going to be a Lexus like no other.