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04/07/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Lexus has fitted just about every luxury item known to mankind into its just released third-generation LX series of 4WDs. Now tagged the LX570, the number indicating the capacity of its big twin-cam 5.7-litre engine, the large off-roader excels in many other ways. Because this isn’t purely luxury transport for a spoiled foursome, instead the LX570 is a full-scale people mover that provides comfort for up to eight people all of whom can be adults, though four adults and four children is a more practical arrangement.
 Then there's the LX570's off-road ability. While almost all vehicles in this rarefied class are pretenders that appear to be 4WDs but are really only suited for soft conditions, the Lexus is the real deal. Crammed with the latest in mechanical and electronic gear to provide variable ground clearance and traction it can go places where few owners will dare to tread.
Lexus in Australia is aware that even in this wide brown land not many LX owners ever take their vehicles seriously off-road. But they like to have the knowledge theirs is capable of handling the rough stuff competently. What Lexus LX owners do frequently use their wagons for is heavy duty towing, particularly of horse floats. Thus the inbuilt capability of hauling a big 3500 kg. ‘Inbuilt’ is the correct word, because all you have to do is add a tow-ball, the rear chassis rail is already a heavy-duty two-bar.
Though based on the humbler Toyota LandCruiser 200 series – if humble is the right word to describe that tough machine – the new Lexus LX570 has had its appearance changed in many ways, indeed only the doors are carried over from the original. The frontal shape of the Lexus carries cues to the latest in the marque’s passenger car series and is bold and finessed at the same time.
Inside, virtually everything is different, with a dash panel, seats and trim that have been designed specifically for the LX570. Quality leather, metals and carpet are used throughout, and that the timber is real, not plastic pretending to be wood. The quality of finish is astonishingly good, lending credibility to Lexus' claim that the LX series is now an LS series with four-wheel-drive capability.
 Lexus uses not one, but two complete air conditioning units, and these are further divided into four zones to give just about everyone their own private atmosphere by way of 28 – that’s right 28! – different ventilation outlets.
Entertainment comes from a Mark Levinson audio system featuring 19 speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer. DVD rear-seat entertainment is provided by a nine-inch screen with multiple connections.
There's power adjustment just about everywhere, with the second row seat featuring it for fore/aft adjustment, and the rearmost seats being powered away when not in use and down again as required.
Though it weighs close to three tonnes the 270 kW and 530 Nm generated by the efficient V8 powers this 4WD to 100 km/h in only 7.8 seconds. A figure that sends a message about the LX570's strong, safe overtaking ability.
Chief engineer of the project, Sadayoshi Koyai, attended the Australian launch of the LX570 and is proud that his new vehicle uses less fuel than the superseded LX470, despite providing that improved performance, and having more interior space and greater safety.
Koyai’s team combined with Australian Lexus engineers to test prototypes of the LX570 in the Australian outback as well as in the Great Dividing Range. Some 200,000 kilometres were covered over a three year period and quite a few advances in the big 4WD are due to findings in our harsh local conditions.
Safety is highlighted by such features as radar that warns of possible collisions and takes action to try and prevent them. And cameras mounted into the front grille and the passenger side door mirror to give the driver a wide view of potential blind spots.
 On-road the latest Lexus showed itself to have the low noise levels we have come to love in these upmarket Japanese cars. Even more impressive was the ride comfort, no matter what the road surface the big 4WD simply loped over it with never a sign of it being unsettled. Few will ever drive it hard at corners but it copes pretty well for something weighing close to three tonnes. Body roll has been reduced compared with the superseded model and passengers will travel securely and safely under all conditions.
The active height control of the new LX570 gives it exceptional off-road ability, something we experienced during a hard day’s testing in north Queensland where sandy roads and slushy hills were dispatched with ease.
The Lexus RX570 Prestige model sells for $136,700 with the Sports Luxury priced at $151,700. |
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