Lexus has chosen the Historic Car Week in Monterey to unveil its updated LX 570. The marque’s flagship SUV has received significant mechanical and cosmetic improvements for the 2016 model year.
The first thing you’ll notice — and how can you not — is that the body-on-frame SUV has a new face. Revealed in spy shots recently, the look is now confirmed by the company. A massive one-piece spindle grille dominates the nose, surrounded by a satin chrome edge. As we predicted, the new schnoz is flanked by LED headlights that start at the grille and sweep further back and fall in line with the rest of the Lexus lineup. Restyled turn signals and foglamps are both LED as well.
Lexus says that every body panel has been reskinned, and only the door panels carry over from the previous year. The rear fascia take on a more chiseled shape, and the taillights now include a nestled “L” design element concordant with other Lexus models. Brand new 20-inch mesh-style and 21-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels finish the exterior.
The cabin has been thoroughly redesigned as well. A tasteful and contemporary dashboard, bisected horizontally by wood trim, greets occupants. Sitting front and center is an analog clock that Lexus says is carved from a solid aluminum ingot. The most noticeable change is a humongous 12.3-inch screen with Lexus’s remote touch interface that seems to rise up from the upper half of the dash.
The driver is now treated to a handsome 3-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel and a larger 4.2-inch multi-information display. Meters and gauges are now bathed in chrome and metal finishes, but if you’d rather ignore them there’s an available heads-up display as well. There’s even a wireless charging tray for phones equipped to do so.
Passengers too have not been left out. LED ambient lighting can now be found throughout the interior and cargo area. Second-row passengers are pampered with sun shades, heated and ventilated rear seats if the Luxury Package is ticked off, and gigantor 11.6-inch screens if the vehicle is equipped with Rear Seat Entertainment System.
Drivetrain-wise, the brawny 5.7L V8 remains the same, providing produces 383hp at 5,600 rpm and 403 lb.-ft peak torque at 3,600 rpm. However, a new 8-speed automatic transmission replaces the outgoing 6-speed. The new transmission brings with it multiple driving modes, from Eco to Standard to Sport to Sport+.
Carried over from the previous years is the four-wheel Active Traction Control system (A-TRAC) that can be combined with the Multi-Terrain Select system for traversing a variety of terrains, with modes for Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, Mud and Sand. The transmission retains a driver-selectable low range for loose surfaces and steep inclines.
A slew of new safety features also brings the LX in line with the rest of the brand portfolio. A panoramic view camera with rear cross traffic alert is now standard, as is a blind spot monitor. The Lexus Safety System+ is standard as well, and includes an active pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, and radar cruise control. There’s now even a tire pressure monitor that will identify exactly which wheel has the deflated tube.
While not a complete redesign, Lexus’s go-anywhere body-on-frame luxury SUV soldiers on. Pricing and on-sale date have yet to be announced.
Live images by Ben Hsu.
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