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2007 Lexus LX 570 Preview

Do we really need to see another evolution of a full sized luxury SUV hit theroad in our greenhouse environment coupled with diminishing fossil fuels? Lexus seems to think so, with their unveiling of the all-new redesigned LX 570. This third generation LX series now comes equipped with a bigger 5.7-liter V8 and larger exterior shell.

Like an elephant in a fine china shop, it seems out of place nowadays to be seen sporting around the urban jungle in a gas guzzling behemoth, especially with fuel prices hovering over $3 per gallon. It's almost as taboo as wearing fur, which is probably why the vehicle is geared towards the near do wells of society who aren't shy about flaunting their status symbols. Directly targeted against the Range Rover, Cadillac's Escalade, Lincoln's Navigator, Infiniti's QX56 and Mercedes' GL Class, the LX rejoins this upper echelon of ultra luxurious, gadget filled luxury

The Lexus that most people forgot - the big LX - is back. (Photo: Lexus)

SUVs. Vice President and General Manager of Lexus US, Bob Carter explained during the New York Auto Show, “LX customers have traditionally been our most affluent—professionals with families who add the LX to their stable of vehicles for its luxurious utility, versatility and capability.”

At first glance, the new LX 570 has grown out of its conservative box-like styling shell into a slightly less boxy, more organic shell. The LX profile actually reminds me of the current Toyota Highlander, but on steroids. Now measuring 196.5 inches long by 77.6 inches wide and 74.4 inches

What was once big and boxy, now features soft curves. The style mimics that of the big LS. (Photo: Lexus)

high, the LX 570 has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches and is four inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor. Replacing the quad headlights are new stylishly integrated adaptive front headlamps that better match the overall cleaner yet aggressive lines of the hood and chrome grille. The muscular profile is enhanced with creased fenders and bulging wheel arches, plus integrated side steps. The athletic side moldings on the lower side doors are reminiscent of a treatment used on the Audi S4 and Porsche Cayenne. From the rear, chrome accents surround the taillights and license plate trim, giving theLX an upscale look. The power liftgate opens up a la Volvo XC90, with the top door lifting

Two-piece tailgate also features an auto-close. (Photo: Lexus)

up and the tailgate folding flat to allow for easy access to the cargo area.

As mentioned, the LX 570 is now equipped with the current Toyota Tundra powerplant that produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV II) features some electronic engine management gadgetry that mildly assists in the fuel economy department. Whereas the previous model was equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the new LX 570 will be mated to a six-speed sequential-shift automatic. With 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, it's the ideal yacht puller.

Riding on 20-inch alloys that will probably never set foot in the outback, the LX suspension technologies are filled to the max should you ever feelcompelled to take this off the asphalt and into the gravel. First off,

Comfortable, beautifully crafted and intelligent. Yup, it's a Lexus. (Photo: Lexus)

this new LX gets a four-wheel Electro-Hydraulic suspension with Active Height Control (AHC) that adjusts ride height and stiffness depending on driving speeds and road conditions. As the vehicle enters into a corner at speed, the vehicle is lowered by almost two inches and then resumes the preset ride height upon exit, thereby reducing overall body roll by 30 percent. At highway speeds the LX lowers by an inch in front and one and a half inches in the rear to improve ride quality and aerodynamics. Conversely, if you were to take this beast into the rocky wilderness, with a flip of a switch the suspension can be raised up to three inches for elevated clearance over potentially damaging surfaces. With this new model, Lexus also introduces a new feature called Crawl Control which automatically adjusts the differential, throttle and breaking at low speeds during those tough climbs over rocky obstacles. Lexus

No mechanical levers to tug at in the LX, just four little levers... (Photo: Lexus)

associates this feature with “cruise control” for the rough country. In addition,the full-time 4WD system also gains a Torsen LSD, a new feature for the 570.

If this next item isn't indicative of excessive size and the unsuitability of such an SUV to city streets, I don't know what is. The LX 570 is equipped with multi cameras located in the front grille, passenger side view mirror, and rear license plate to help give the driver extra sets of eyes for the “difficult” lane changes, or maybe the dreaded grocery store parking lot, or possibly the ultimate SUV fear: parallel parking in the city. The captured images are displayed on the crisp VGA navigation screen.

There are 10 airbags ready to protect the occupants including driver and passenger knee airbags, second row seat side airbags, and third row curtain. Active headrests work to prevent severe neck injuries.

Inside this 8 occupant vehicle, you'll find typical upscale Lexus seating and amenities.

Know where you're about to go, where you are, and what you've driven past with an array of exterior-mounted cameras. (Photo: Lexus)

Expect the following standard features: a push-button start with proximity sensing remote, four-zone independent climate control, a power-sliding second-row seat with 40/20/40 split configuration, a power third-row seat, front seat cushion extenders, touch-screen navigation, Bluetooth, nine-speaker audio system, iPod connector, and XM satellite radio with real-time traffic updates. Optional luxury touches include the use of Bubinga wood for the dash trim and steering wheel (it's the same wood used in fine furniture and instruments such as harps) and semi-aniline leather. Other optional features include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with Reference Surround Sound and storage drive to save up to 2,000 songs, a rear seat entertainment system equipped with nine inch screens, and a cooler box to keep those drinks cold.

Due to arrive in showrooms by early 2008, I'm not sure how many will be driven away in my city. Strange, I always thought that a major component of the Darwinian theory of evolution included some sort of reference about adapting to the changing environment in order

... but does Lexus really need it? (Photo: Lexus)

to survive. Well, if this is so then it's odd to have a manufacturer like Lexus offload another V8 dinosaur to set foot on the streets of an ever increasing environmentally sensitive global consumer base. How long will this vehicle segment last before car manufactures reconsider their direction of innovation? Why not at the very least consider making a hybrid version? I'm sure the consumer would pay for it if they're already contemplating a vehicle of this class. It's actually cool to be environmentally conscious now, as Lexus no doubt realizes considering it sells more hybrid models than any other luxury brand.

And although I'm griping about whether or not there's a need for the continuation of this rather large V8-powered SUV, I do understand that there's no better way to pull a trailer while hauling a large family off for vacation than with one of these. I also appreciate that, so far at least, hybrids haven't proven to be optimal tow vehicles. So, for you few who will actually use the LX for the purposes it was created for, I take back my grumbling. As for those who plan on commuting back and forth to work each day in a new 570, solo no less, get an RX 400h if you must own an SUV.

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