Proportions are similar to the Land Cruiser 300, but with Lexus' corporate design at the front. Image: Lexus
Although priced in May last year, Lexus has revealed updated sticker prices for the all-new LX that, in range-topping VIP spec, officially becomes its most expensive model ever sold in South Africa.
The upmarket sibling of the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, the first new LX in 14 years rides on the same body-on-frame TNGA-F platform, but while resembling the Toyota on first glance, receives Lexus’ own Spindle Grille, restyled LED headlights and different taillights, plus Lexus badging, in order to differentiate it.
Tipping the scales at 200 kg lighter than the previous LX, the newcomer measures 5 100 mm long and 1 990 mm wide, stands 1 895 mm tall and rides on a 2 850 mm wheelbase.
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Like the Land Cruiser 300, the claimed ground clearance is 210 mm, wading depth 700 mm and boot space as much as 1 109-litres.
Seating is provided for seven in the unbadged base model, five in the F Sport and four in the top-spec VIP.
As for its off-road prowess, the LX receives the Multi-Terrain Monitor as standard, along with six driving modes as per the Multi-Terrain Select system; Auto, Sand, Dirt, Mud, Snow and Rock.
In addition to the low range transfer case, five settings for the Crawl Control system are provided; Lo, Midl, Mid, Midh and High, with the final addition being the Active Height Control air suspension on all derivatives, plus an electronic rear diff-lock.
A drive mode selector with six settings (Eco, Normal, Confort, Sport, Sport+ and Custom) rounds the electronic hardware off, together with a Torsen limited-slip differential, Adaptive Variable Suspension with front and rear damping, and retuned power steering in the case of the F Sport.
Indeed, the model in question’s added aesthetic enhancements over the standard comprises F Sport bumpers, door sills and gloss black mirrors, a black lip spoiler, Jet Black finish to the Spindle Grille, 22-inch F Sport alloy wheels and a model specific colour called White Nova.
On the specification front, the mentioned unbadged LX’s feature list is, unsurprisingly, loaded with standard items, amongst others, comprising a hands-free electric tailgate, electric front seats that are heated and ventilated, semi-aniline leather upholstery, wood inserts, electrically folding second row, a leather/wood heated steering wheel, plus the following:
Up next, the F Sport, besides the exterior upgrades, receives a perforated leather F Sport steering and F Sport seats, aluminium instead of the wood inserts, F Sport branded illuminated door sills and a choice of two colours for the interior; black or Flare Red.
Omitted though is the rear seat entertainment system that consist of a pair of 11.6-inch display with wireless headphones.
Unaspiringly, the latter does feature on the VIP, whose rear chairs can additionally recline in a ottoman fashion up to 48° while fitted as standard with heating, ventilation and massaging functions.
Wood inserts, memory functions for the seats themselves and even more premium leather upholstery rounds the VIP off.
Up front, the LX’s powertrain options are unchanged from the Land Cruiser 300, meaning diesel power from the 3.3-litre V6 rated at 227kW/700Nm in the LX 500d, and petrol motivation from the 3.5-litre badged twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 that develops 305kW/650Nm in the LX 600.
Both are paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Across the range, top speed is limited to 210 km/h with respective fuel consumption figures of 8.3 L/100 km and 11.3 L/100 km. Worth noting that is the VIP only comes in LX 600 guise.
Besides the F Sport only White Nova paint option, the remainder of the LX’s colour consists of White Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Raven Black, Manganese Luster, Graphite Black and Terrane Khaki.
Included with each model’s price tag is a seven-year/100 000 km warranty and service plan.
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