FOLLOWING a massive boom in the post-war years Japan's economy has endured well-documented problems since the Tokyo Stock Exchange crashed in the early nineties.

The Land of the Rising Sun has, of course, since been joined in the financial mire by much of the western world following our own banking crisis.

And despite the traumatic economic times, Japan is still the globe's third largest automobile manufacturer while it also boasts the biggest electronics goods industry in the world.

So it should come as no surprise that they are very good at producing cars bristling with high-tech gadgetry.

A case in point is the new, fourth generation, Lexus GS 450h - the Japanese firm's flagship luxury sports saloon.

There is enough technical wizardry on display here to send the average geek into a lather of excitement.

First off, the GS 450h showcases the very latest in hybrid technology from Lexus who are, along with sister company Toyota, one of the prime movers in this field.

The 286bhp, 3.5-litre petrol engine is twinned with a compact, high-output electric motor to offer a whopping maximum 341bhp - enabling a 0-62mph sprint time of less than six seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

There seems to be power to spare pretty much whenever you put your right foot down and the response is quick and decisive.

Despite this impressive performance, though, the GS 450h is a full hybrid and offers all the benefits, environmental and financial, that come with it.

Average fuel consumption is improved by some 20 percent over the outgoing model to 46.3 miles per gallon and carbon emissions are also reduced, to 141g/km.

On the road the system is smoothly managed by the constant variable electronic automatic transmission, ensuring that gear shifts are prompt and acceleration smooth when needed but also slipping seamlessly into fuel-saving electric-only mode when pootling around in town traffic.

Handling is sharp and precise and the drive enjoyably engaging, as a further raft of technology works to keep you on the road.

ABS brakes, cruise control, stability and traction control systems all come as standard while this top of the range Premier model also gets Lexus' adaptive variable suspension, which automatically adjusts suspension at all four wheels independently and does a great job of ironing out any imperfections in the road surface.

There is selectable sport mode for those who like their drive to be even racier - or eco mode for those looking to maximise fuel efficiency.

The new GS 450h is the first car to feature Lexus' new front end design features, which will gradually be introduced across the range. Most striking is the ‘spindle' shaped grille formation which creates a more muscular and sporty look.

And, although the car's overall length is the same as its predecessor, the front overhang is shorter by 10mm, the rear overhang the same distance longer and the overall height has been increased by 30mm. The front and rear tracks have been widened by 40 and 50mm respectively and the car is wider, too, by 20mm.

All of which not only helps with balance and stability but also creates more space inside, where the cabin really lives up to its luxury billing.

Leather, wood and high-quality materials and finishes abound while even more gadgets and gizmos ensure the comfort of those on board as several innovative technologies make their first appearance in the new GS.

The second generation of Lexus' remote touch interface system is again controlled by a computer mouse-style button linked in this Premier spec model to, claim Lexus, the largest multimedia display screen found in any production car - at 12.3 inches.

The premium Mark Levinson stereo, navigation system, intelligent energy-saving aircon and Bluetooth and USB connections can all be controlled via this piece of kit.

Passengers in the rear also have a control panel to operate their own aircon as well as the stereo - although this could lead to rows with those in the front if musical tastes differ!

Ventilated and heated 18-way electrically adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, keyless ignition, electrically adjustable steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera all also feature in the seemingly endless high-tech equipment list. There's even an electric rear sunshade!