 |
|
|
|
The Lexus LX470 four wheel drive got its Australian debut at the 1998 Melbourne Motor Show. Doing its best not to be a Toyota LandCruiser 100-series it was on the quite separate Lexus stand and not on the Toyota stand; it's all a little bit confusing - the LX470 is basically an upmarket, luxury 100-series. As the sales pitch went, there used to be one choice in luxury four wheel drives (you know who) now there are two.
There is a strong resemblance between the Lexus LX470 (~ 100-series) and the Toyota LandCruiser 80series but a great deal is new. Front suspension is independent! The live front axle is out. Hard four wheel drivers will have mixed feelings about this although on-road handling is improved. The rear end still uses a live axle and the differential is still offset to the right which gives a little more effective ground clearance on bush tracks. The suspension is electronically controlled and the height can be adjusted - low of the highway and high for offroad.
Under the bonnet is a 4.7L V8 derived from the Lexus LS400 saloon. It gives 170kW at 4800rpm and 410Nm at 3400rpm.
Lexus vehicles are sold through separate dealers -
hence the separate stand at the show -
and are very much in the luxury market.
So, the LX470 has such touches as
power adjustable seats with memory,
security system,
seven-speaker audio system,
6-disc CD player
and bronze window tinting.
Go to the
Toyota
and
100S
pages
