Luxury limo look for Lexus LX

THE new-generation Lexus LX has been revealed abroad, and as expected, it takes the bare bones of the Land Cruiser 300 but adds even more in the way of glamour and luxury – and here we’re talking of a limo-like interior.

The new Lexus LX is set to hit South African showrooms in the first quarter of 2022, with pricing and final specifications to be announced closer to the time.

Although some had expected the new LX to debut a new twin-turbo V8 engine, the only engines that Lexus mentions for now are the familiar 3.5litre V6 twin-turbo petrol and 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel motors also found in the new LC300. The petrol V6 in the

LX 600 produces 305kw and 650Nm, while the diesel found in the LX 500d is good for 220kw and 700Nm.

Being Lc300-based, the new Lexus LX is built around the company’s new GA-F modular architecture for bodyon-frame vehicles. This has helped shave some 200kg off the kerb weight.

Also aiding the weight-saving mission is a new Active Height Control suspension, which comes with an expanded selection of ride height positions. The system also now stabilises the vehicle’s posture during cornering, acceleration and deceleration.

Off the beaten track, LX owners can draw on a six-mode Multi-terrain Select system, low-range gearing paired with five-mode Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control and a Multi-terrain Monitor that allows images captured by the front, side and rear cameras to be displayed on the vehicle’s 12.3inch screen. An innovative feature is the Underfloor View, which uses foreground images taken in advance to provide the driver with transparent underfloor images.

When it comes to cabin luxury, Lexus is making no compromises, especially in the case of vehicles fitted with the new VIP grade, which treats back seat occupants to two individual chairs that can be reclined up to 48 degrees, as well as footrests, fold-away screens, sunshades, “shower like” ceiling-mounted air conditioning and special reading lights.

Owners can also look forward to a new-generation multimedia system with Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as a standard 10-speaker Premium Sound System.

On the outside, the new Lexus LX boasts a more confident design than its predecessor, which one could argue was trying too hard to be edgy. Nonetheless it follows the modern Lexus design script with a massive “spindle” grille and full-length tail lights.

On the tech front, the Lexus LX is offered with a wide range of driver assistance features, including and expanded Pre-collision System with a new Emergency Steering Assist function, as well as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with new curve speed control function.