6 July 2012
A touch of class
Finding a large off-roader capable of going bush as well as offering everyday comfort and practicality can be a challenging task, seldom fulfilled. But Lexus may have found the solution with the launch of their LX570, which combines highly capable 4x4 virtues and some of the best technologically savvy equipment money can buy with superb up to the minute luxury creature comforts.
The eight seater LX570 brings all the class-leading sophistication and luxury we have come to expect from the brand. It is a mature version of sister company, Toyota’s Land Cruiser, with the outer skins of the beasts only distinguished apart from each other by some mildly tweaked changes. Re-badging a dusty looking Land Cruiser has its upside though, with Toyota's excellent track record, it kicks off with a distinct advantage in the reliability stakes.
The designers have spruced up the front end of the old school wagon with a larger grille, re-shaped bumpers and sharper headlights. Stainless steel accents have been used extensively on the bodywork and grille area as well as around front spot lamps, providing a polished, more sophisticated look.
The big easy
Lexus have opted to use their 270kW, 530Nm 5.7 litre V8 petrol engine to lug the beast around. It will tow a 3500kg braked trailer without skipping a beat, mind you, with that much weight on the back it’s sure to hoover up the 91 octane juice with gusto. Fuel consumption is claimed at a not insignificant 14.8L/100km while dumping 350g/km of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, but the real world figure our test car returned during a week of mostly city use was nowhere near that.
The exhaust tone has been extensively muffled and only gives a hint of its DNA when tramping hard on the accelerator pedal, otherwise it’s silky smooth and almost inaudible. A six speed Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) capable of handling the high torque and power outputs has been used, providing the full time 4wd system with options of high and low ranges.
Lexus has enhanced the suspension by adding Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension mechanisms. This air suspension set-up does an excellent job of soaking up the bumps and noises while automatically adjusting the vehicle’s ride height in accordance with the speed and terrain. Switches located behind the gear lever on the centre console allow for the lowering or raising of the suspension when the vehicle is parked for easier exit/entry. The twenty inch alloy wheel rims have been shod with 285/50R20 tyres.
Not for the faint hearted
Standard creature comfort features include a Mark Levinson sound system incorporating nineteen speakers, a colour touch screen with Navigation up front and two seven inch LCD entertainment screens for rear seat passengers. The parking assistance system incorporates six sensors along with a reversing camera. Other features include a centre console with integrated cooler, heated steering wheel and seats, a four zone climate control system and a host of other standard features.
Active safety features include the intelligent radar Pre-Crash safety System, Multi-Terrain ABS, Active Cruise Control, Hill-start Assist Control, BA, EBD, VSC and Active TRC. Passive safety comes in the form of ten airbags, two ISOFIX anchorages and three tether points.
The hardcore off-roader can be assured of having the best technology available to help improve their bush bashing experience. The Off-Road Turn Assist (OTA) helps negotiate tight corners while the Multi-Terrain select (MTS) offers the ability to tackle most off road conditions in confidence. The Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) displays the surroundings on the colour screen thanks to strategically located cameras around the vehicle, while the crawl control keeps the speed to snail-pace when required.
One specification level is offered, with pricing set at a breath taking $196,400.
While there are a few other competitors in the large SUV segment offering arguably sharper styling, keener pricing and leaner fuel consumption, the Lexus has the untouchable reliability and off-road capabilities few others can match.