All-new Lexus LX 600 is the ‘ultimate sport-utility’

MANILA: Lexus has officially launched the all-new 2022 LX 600 which stands as the "ultimate sport-utility" flagship in the luxury brand’s growing and diversified model portfolio.

The full-size luxury SUV features a reengineered body-on-frame platform, futuristic style, and luxurious cabin. It represents the brand’s commitment to address the changing needs and lifestyles of its customers. The all-new LX 600 is set to be released in the United States in the first quarter of 2022.

The LX has been a luxury SUV icon since its debut in 1995, formed by an identity defined by an indomitable duality. Its luxurious long-range cruiser status is owed to its pleasant ride quality and long list of amenities, but its tried-and-tested off-road specifications and equipment have taken it beyond the pavement in over 50 countries and regions across the world. As of August 2021, Lexus has sold over 500,000 LX units around the world.

For its fourth generation, the LX provides unrivaled refinement, thanks to a comprehensive optimization of practically every component. It uses a new GA-F platform that is 20% stiffer than before, providing a solid base for its body-on-frame construction. The weight is down 441 pounds when compared to its predecessor, while the body rigidity is increased.

The LX is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine that churns out high power output and torque. It also comes with a new electronically controlled brake (ECB) system and electric power steering (EPS) that enables more refined vehicle control on- and off-road.

The LX is also designed with an all-new cabin that offers utmost comfort and functionality. It is equipped with an instrument panel that features Lexus Interface with Lexus’ first dual display configuration. It comes with a 12.3-inch upper screen and seven-inch lower screen that provide a variety of views and control adjustments for a more convenient driving experience.

The exterior design of the LX embodies a balance of athletic performance, accessible functionality, and striking beauty, just like what Lexus did with the all-new NX. Optimized proportions that blend refinement with force and presence are at the heart of LX’s design.

“Speaking to a wide variety of customers and diverse lifestyles is essential to the LX’s ethos,” Lexus said in a statement. This approach has allowed them to expand the LX lineup, which now includes the all-new Ultra Luxury and F Sport grades. The Ultra Luxury comes with four independent seats to provide premium comfort on any road condition. Customers who prefer a sportier look can choose the F Sport grade, which comes with it a set of unique features and delivers excellent handling.

The adoption of the new GA-F platform and the redesigning of the entire vehicle framework required the engineers to revise the LX’s fundamental characteristics. The vehicle’s center of gravity and weight were reduced while the body rigidity was increased to achieve a smooth composure and high comfort level. With its lighter weight, the new LX delivers a more predictable and balanced ride during turning, acceleration, and deceleration maneuvers and better off-road stability compared to its predecessor.

The all-new LX 600 features a front high-mounted double wishbone suspension, suspension geometry, and tuned coil spring that provide high level of off-road driving performance and on-road handling stability. As a vital factor in achieving excellent off-road driving performance, the suspension stroke was made long enough with 100 mm/3.93 in of bound and 145 mm/5.7 in of rebound.

The capable four-link axle-type suspension with rear lateral control arms is carried over from the previous model, but the suspension arms and shock absorber layout and characteristics have been adjusted to aid axle movement control, resulting in improved vehicle stability and ride comfort. Meanwhile, the rebound stroke has been increased by 20 mm/0.8 in to achieve exceptional road-following performance.

The rear shock absorbers are mounted outside of the lower control arm and the mounting angle of the shock absorbers has been changed to match the axle’s movement. This allows the shock absorbers to follow the vertical movement of the wheels more easily, improving their damping effect and thus, better absorbing shocks and vibrations from the road surface for improved vehicle stability.

The 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine on the all-new LX is smaller than the naturally aspirated V8 on the previous model. It uses turbocharging to boost power output and torque. The engine generates an output of 409 hp and maximum torque of 479 lb-ft. It maintains maximum torque across a wide range up to roughly 3,600 rom, making it easier to handle not only on the road but also off-road, where frequent usage of low-speed range is required.

The engine is mated to a Direct Shift-10AT which provides a smooth start that only a torque converter can deliver, as well as manual transmission-like direct acceleration by activating lockup in almost its entire range of operation. The cross gear ratio setting, which brings the ratios of each stage closer together, and the quick gear shift time result in snappy gear shifting at regular intervals, providing a driving rhythm in sync with the engine sound.

A wide range of gear ratios is also used for strong starting comfort and high-speed driving. When starting at low speeds, the low first gear boosts the driving force, resulting in a smooth start and high-powered low-speed off-road performance. The high gearing in the 10^th gear, on the other hand, keeps the engine speed low while driving at high speeds, resulting in a quieter ride and lower fuel consumption.

To reduce the risk of oil pan damage due to unplanned hits to the underfloor when passing through rocky roads, an oil pan guard is installed to the lower body of the automatic transmission.

The all-new LX also uses a new active height control (AHC) system and adaptive variable suspension to enable improved grip, traction, and control, as well as a sense of strength and security. Although it retains its predecessor’s traditional off-road driving performance and vehicle stability, the new LX provides better vehicle control and on-road ride comfort.

The AHC suspension, which allows the ride height to be modified according to the driving condition, now has a wider range of ride height positions. While shock absorbers, gas and hydraulic springs, and metal springs are still used to control ride height, a spring rate switching device, which was previously only used for the front wheels, is now also employed for the rear wheels, reducing the time needed to adjust ride height. There are three height options while the vehicle is in motion (Normal, Hi1, and Hi2), as well as a Low setting for passenger ingress and egress.

Depending on whether Drive Mode Select or Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) is activated, as well as selection status of the transfer case, the system automatically changes vehicle height. The ride height status can now be viewed not only on the gauge panel, but also on the seven-inch touch display. AHC also responds to changes in vehicle posture, such as the degree of pitch and roll, and stabilizes vehicle posture during turning, acceleration, and deceleration by adjusting the spring rate as needed.

When the transfer case is in the L4 range or with the mode selected during MTS, the suspension automatically adjusts to Hi1 or Hi2 in accordance with the road environment. When Hi1 or Hi2 is selected, the system automatically adjusts the vehicle height based on the vehicle’s speed to help avoid interference with road surface and improve handling stability.

Using a linear solenoid valve system provides excellent damping force switching response, enabling detailed and smooth control regardless of road surface or driving situations. The springs are softened to help provide a comfortable ride while overcoming bumps during in-town driving and are stiffened to maintain a flat and stable ride when driving around curves.

The new EPS on the LX makes use of the motor and reduction gear instead of using traditional hydraulics. It enables subtle tuning and provides a light steering sensation at low speeds when driving off-road and full steering weightiness at high speeds. The vehicle consistently and linearly responds to steering operations. The light steering sensation also helps to reduce driver burden at low speeds, while a moderate steering force, in accordance with the vehicle’s speed, delivers a Lexus Driving Signature experience at high speeds.

On the other hand, the ECB system uses a sensor to measure the amount of brake pedal depression and then produces braking force using hydraulic brakes for more linear braking characteristics. When MTS is activated for off-road driving, the system is meant to provide a high level of driving stability by employing precise brake control to prevent slipping or spinning wheels.

The LX is also equipped with 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, the largest in the Lexus lineup, to enhance on-road performance. The unsprung weight of all wheels, including the available 18-inch and 20-inch wheels, has been reduced for improved rolling resistance values.

The F Sport grade comes with an exclusive Torsen LSD to ensure traction performance of the rear tires. It optimally distributes the driving force according to the load on the rear left and right wheels when accelerating during a turn to produce a high level of control performance. It responds effectively to changes in road conditions in straight-line driving, contributing to stability.

The LX has also improved its previously demonstrated ability to manage rough roads. Aside from the refined “hardware” performance elements, the new LX also comes with upgraded software features such as MTS and Crawl Control. Furthermore, the introduction of innovative off-road driving technologies such as the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) and the LX’s first dual display allows the new model to be driven with greater confidence in tough situations.

The MTS allows the driver to select from six modes—Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock—to support off-road driving conditions. In addition to traditional braking hydraulics, the drive power and suspension are combined and controlled for optimization according to the selected mode, allowing driving performance to be matched to road conditions.

Moreover, the operating range of MTS has been expanded to include the high range (H4). For the first time, Lexus has adopted mode, which combines data from various sensors to evaluate road conditions while driving and optimize brake hydraulic pressure, driving force, and suspension control. This feature allows the driver to retain optimal driving performance in various driving situations without switching modes.

Meanwhile, the Crawl Control is activated while the LX is in low range to allow the vehicle to move forward or backward at one of five low-speed settings: LO, MIDL, MID, MIDH, and HIGH. To help prevent tire slippage and enhance chassis behavior, Crawl Control intelligently orchestrates the engagement and disengagement of engine output and hydraulic braking pressure.

Another innovative feature on the new LX is the MTM which uses four cameras to assist the driver in viewing the environment around the vehicle. The images acquired by the front, side, and rear cameras may be swapped around and projected on the whole 12.3-inch display, allowing the driver to monitor road conditions that are normally in the driver’s blind spots.

By switching to the Lexus-first, Back Underfloor View, images of the foreground captured in advance are provided to the driver as transparent underfloor images. The driver can assess underfloor conditions and front-wheel position by superimposing the vehicle and wheel position over this image. In another view, the vehicle is made transparent and an image of the area around the rear wheels is magnified to allow the driver to assess the environment around the rear wheels and estimate distances to obstructions.

Meanwhile, the first-ever Lexus Interface dual display comes with a 12.3-inch upper screen and seven-inch lower screen which are “designed to inform, not distract.” The upper display shows navigation, audio controls, and the MTM during off-road driving, while the lower display shows the climate control screen and acts as a driving-support screen for MTS. When the camera image is the displayed on the upper screen while the real-time vehicle status is indicated on the lower screen, the driver can monitor off-road driving situations more safely.

The interior and exterior design of the all-new LX combines exceptional functionality with breathtaking aesthetic. Its spindle grille features a three-dimensional shaped composed of seven sets of floating bars that create a seamless structure. “It is style rooted in function: fine-tuning the thickness of each bar to the millimeter achieves not only a new look but also provides the high-level cooling performance required for the twin-turbo engine. The side radiator grilles also have large openings to ensure cooling performance and are shaped to provide a high-level rectifying effect,” Lexus stated.

The vehicle is also equipped with L-shaped clearance lamps with daytime running lamp function. Meanwhile, the L-shaped tail lamps were combined with a continuous axial flow from the front to the shoulders and then to the rear silhouette. The all-new LX also features the redesigned rear Lexus logo which symbolizes the brand’s next generation.

The LX also comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 which includes pre-collision system (PCS), emergency steering assist (ESA), dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC), lane departure alert with steering assist (LDA w/ SA), lane tracing assist (LTA), intelligent high beams, and road sign assist (LSA).

Lexus’ passion for brave design, cutting-edge technology, and exhilarating performance allows itself to create unforgettable experiences for its customers. Lexus began in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to strive for perfection. Since then, Lexus has expanded its lineup to fulfill the needs of global luxury clients in over 90 countries. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, the brand considers itself as the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus is committed to become a forward-thinking brand that anticipates the needs of luxury customers in the future.

Photos from Lexus

Also read: Lexus cars available with financing packages this Oct.