The Lexus LBX compact crossover, the LM luxury people carrier and the all-terrain GX full-scale SUV are completely different propositions, but at heart each one is truly “Lexus”.  They are taking Lexus into new market segments and giving customers the opportunity to personalise their luxury choices. They exemplify the qualities that are the essence of Lexus as an international luxury brand and support its “experience amazing” ethos.

Central to this is Omotenashi, the uniquely Lexus interpretation of the best traditions of Japanese hospitality. That means for driver and passengers alike, every need is anticipated and taken care of in a safe, welcoming and rewarding experience. Its influence extends from on-board comfort and well-being to seamless connectivity, comprehensive safety provisions the focused design of the driver’s cockpit.

Luxury craftsmanship is another distinguishing element in the Lexus ownership, with an attention to detail that is rooted in the finely honed skills of the Takumi craftspeople.

Moreover, the latest models go further in Lexus’ mission to “make luxury personal,” giving customers greater opportunities to specify their vehicle in a way that better reflects their individual preferences and character. This includes a move away from the established formalities of prestige cars to offer something that better fits more modern perceptions of what luxury means, with a more relaxed and casual feel.

To showcase their individual qualities and capabilities and to provide a first-hand insight into today’s Lexus brand, the LBX, LM and GX were recently brought together in an adventure programme in New Zealand. Influencers and lifestyle specialists from Europe and beyond were immersed in an authentic Lexus “amazing experience” that took them through spectacular landscapes of the South Island and introduced them to the richness of the local nature, culture and cuisine.

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Lexus LBX: redefining luxury craftsmanship in its class

The LBX is a game-changing model, the most compact Lexus model yet and one which brings authentic Lexus luxury to a whole new audience for the brand. This is a compact crossover that makes luxury personal, offering a wealth of choice, premium equipment features and a great driving experience, all with a more casual, contemporary feel. It’s a proposition that European customers have responded to in their thousands, putting the LBX firmly on course to become Lexus’ top-selling model in the region.

Lexus LM: redefining luxury transport

Lexus designed the LM – its “luxury mover” – to deliver the ultimate in luxury travel. It is a car in its class of its own, a people carrier where every detail of the on-board experience is focused on the comfort and well-being the occupants. Wherever the journey takes you, the atmosphere inside the LM is guaranteed to always be calm, quiet and supremely comfortable. The passengers ride in airline-style seats, with access to a 48-inch widescreen monitor and bespoke 23-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system at their fingertips. The Lexus Climate Concierge ensures optimum temperature and air quality are maintained at all times.

Lexus GX: redefining the authentic off-roader with luxury

The all-new GX is a perfect illustration of the breadth of choice offered by today’s Lexus range. It is an authentic off-roader with imposing looks, all-terrain capabilities, combined with the luxury, driving rewards and advanced technologies that are key to every Lexus model. It’s a car that’s engineered for adventure, capable of mastering all kinds of challenging terrain: wherever the drive takes you, on smooth, fast roads or wilder trails, the Lexus GX can be relied on as the truest and most trusted partner.

For more information on these and all other new Lexus models, please visit https://www.lexus.eu/new-cars

Its status as a serious SUV made it a key contributor to a recent Lexus adventure programme in New Zealand, where guests were immersed in the local culture, cuisine and natural world. Joining the GX were the all-new LBX compact crossover and the LM “luxury mover,” giving guests first-hand insights into what Lexus’ “experience amazing” means and the breadth of its product offering.

The GX will carry you in comfort and with confidence to unexplored territories and New Zealand provided the ideal landscapes and challenging routes to demonstrate these qualities . It’s a car that’s engineered for adventure, capable of mastering all kinds of challenging drives, while respecting the integrity and quality of the natural environment. This is helped by a Multi-Terrain Select system where the car’s performance can be optimised at the touch of a switch for surfaces ranging from deep snow and mud to sand and rocks. Furthermore, with the benefit of the Multi-Terrain Monitor, you’re given a complete view of the area around and beneath vehicle so you can position the GX with confidence in extreme situations.

At the same time, the GX is essentially a Lexus. That means attention to every detail and luxury made personal with distinctive contemporary design, Takumi craftsmanship and the uniquely Lexus Omotenashi approach to comfort and convenience that enhances the well-being of driver and passengers. This is witnessed in features such as specially developed seats that are shaped for perfect support when off-roading, upholstered in fine leather and a focused Lexus Tazuna cockpit, with controls and information sources organised for quick, intuitive operation, whatever the driving conditions.

For those who want to go even further, the GX Overtrail model is designed and equipped to take even more extreme environments in its stride, but with no sacrifice of luxury quality or comfort.  Its special off-road-focused features include a wider track, dedicated 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres and an intelligent electronic suspension system. The bodywork is adapted, too, with details shaped to help avoid contact with bushes and rocks when heading off-road.

Wherever the drive takes you, on smooth, fast roads or wilder trails, the Lexus GX can be relied on as the truest and most trusted partner, responding instantly and faithfully to the driver’s use of the steering wheel, brakes and throttle. The rewards are control, comfort and confidence at all times, and a sense of being at one with the vehicle.

In Europe, the GX is available in eastern markets: Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

For more information, please visit https://www.lexus.eu/new-cars/gx

INTRODUCTION

Ever since its launch in 1989, Lexus has consistently been an innovator, pushing the boundaries of technology and design to deliver fresh value to its customers. The all-new GX is the latest expression of this ground-breaking spirit, a premium all-wheel drive model with authentic off-road driving capabilities.

Its introduction reflects the ongoing diversification of Lexus’ global product line-up to reach new market segments and support a wider range of customer lifestyles.

Chief Engineer Koji Tsukusaki comments: “The joy of owning this vehicle is the assurance of high performance – like a diver’s watch – without always having to drive it hard off-road.”

The GX is new from the ground up and presents a more powerful and robust look with an exterior design that communicates a sense of purpose and an ability to master challenging conditions.  Lexus “Next Chapter” design principles have been adapted specifically to suit the demands of rough-road driving. By contrast, the cabin atmosphere is modern, open and calm, with a focused Tazuna cockpit and commanding visibility for the driver.

A new 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 provides considerably more power and torque than the previous V8 power plant, giving the GX class-leading towing capability – up to 3.5 tonnes.

Lexus human-centred approach is evident throughout. The adoption of new control and handling systems for off-road driving ensures they are intuitive and reassuring to use. At the same time, the GX’s on-road poise and comfort have been improved.

The all-new GX’s introduction demonstrates Lexus’s desire to build a product range that meets the needs and preferences of a wider customer base. It will be available in selected markets in Eastern Europe from early 2024. Customers will also be able to personalise their vehicle with a wide range of dedicated styling and functional accessories.

EXTERIOR DESIGN: AUTHENTIC OFF-ROADER PROPORTIONS

The new GX displays the proportions of an authentic off-roader. The development team focused on producing a design that expresses the vehicle’s performance capabilities. This can be seen in the pulled-back front pillars, flared wings and low belt line. The overall effect they sought was the look of a car that has been cut from a solid block of metal.

Overall, the GX is longer and wider than the current model and has a longer wheelbase, but overall height has been reduced.

The thick, squared-off shape of the bonnet projects toughness, but the bonnet’s low-set centre section ensures the driver has a good view of front corners, so they can manoeuvre the vehicle with confidence. With a shorter front overhang, the GX has a greater approach angle for tackling steeper slopes.

The grille, uniquely styled for the GX, has a criss-cross mesh, and connects to a body-coloured under-guard. As a strong frontal feature, the grille’s form generates lines that create a distinctive and powerful “spindle body” shape. Both grille and headlights are positioned as high as possible to avoid striking obstacles when driving on rough roads. Similarly, the radiator cooling ducts are set high to ensure good performance.

The rear of the car displays the signature Lexus L-shaped light bar with high-set lamps, making the GX easier to spot when driving off-road in convoy.

INTERIOR DESIGN: A MODERN CABIN THAT’S CALMING, WHATEVER THE JOURNEY

However challenging the road might be, the ambience inside the new GX is modern and calming. Lexus’ human-centred design approach has created a space where people can feel relaxed and secure, whatever the journey.

This is the latest model to adopt Lexus’ Tazuna concept for the driver’s cockpit, in which all the principal controls and information sources are positioned for use with just small movement of the hand or eye. The inspiration is the ease with which a rider can control a horse with the slightest adjustments of the reins – the meaning of the word “Tazuna “in Japanese.  The horizontal instrument panel and lower belt line ensure a good all-round view so the driver has a good sense of the vehicle’s attitude and position on the road at all times. A prominent 14-inch touchscreen display gives clear and easy access to multimedia functions.

Careful attention has been paid to the driver’s seat with a design that provides better holding around the waist and pelvis. The cushion is also structured to keep the spine and head more stable, so travel is less tiring.

The GX’s interior has flexibility designed-in. It can be configured with five or six seats and offers enough space with the rear seats folded for a 29-inch mountain bike to be carried.

POWERTRAIN:  NEW V6 TURBO WITH CLASS-LEADING TOWING CAPABILITY

A new engine is introduced to the GX range, a turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. Although smaller in capacity than the 4.6-litre V8 unit in the current model, it delivers significantly more power and torque, thanks to advances in technology and engineering. Maximum output is 354 DIN hp/260 kW compared to the V8’s 296 DIN hp/218 kW, while peak torque is almost 50% higher, rising from 438 to 650 Nm.

This level of power and torque gives the vehicle class-leading towing capability. The new GX can pull loads of up to 3,500 kg, strength enough to tow a 13-passenger boat and trailer, for example.

The engine is matched to a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, replacing the previous six-speed auto gearbox. This has been tuned to communicate the feeling of strong, sustained acceleration and instant response to the driver’s use of the throttle. Customers will also appreciate the quieter running of the V6 engine.

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE: STRENGTH AND SECURITY WITH LEXUS REFINEMENT

The new GX is a serious off-road vehicle, but with Lexus refinement.  Its fundamental strength lies in its new GA-F global architecture platform and a robust body-on-frame construction. While this equips it to tackle challenging off-road conditions, the GX delivers the qualities of the Lexus Driving Signature – control, comfort and confidence at all times – with its poised, stable performance and smooth ride quality in on-road driving.

The front and rear suspension are optimised for stability, whether driving on or off-road. At the rear, the precise suspension adjustment reduces the impact felt when driving over ruts and potholes, while the application of new methods to reinforce joints in the body construction help deliver a more sophisticated driving feel.

The electric power steering is tuned for a fluid response at low speeds and reassuring stability in high-speed cruising. Steering accuracy has been improved by the increase in body rigidity, helped by details such as stronger radiator and steering supports. Drivers will also appreciate a marked reduction in kick-back on rough roads and the extra steering support that’s provided by the assistance systems in the third generation Lexus Safety System+.

Where off-road performance is concerned, comprehensive improvements have been made in the pursuit of “the art of low speed,” raising the model’s capabilities through design and the introduction of new and enhanced technologies. A human-centred approach to the fusion of off-road functions and advanced technology ensures the GX is intuitive and engaging to drive: the driver enjoys a dialogue with the vehicle and the road, whatever the surface conditions. This quality was a focus for the professional rally drivers who contributed to the test driving of prototypes during the car’s development programme.

THE GX OVERTRAIL: FOCUSED ON OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE AND STYLE

The Overtrail is a new halo model focused on the GX’s qualities as an authentic and highly capable off-road vehicle. In terms of style, equipment and technology features, it maximises the vehicle’s potential to tackle tough terrain and satisfy customers who enjoy adventurous lifestyles.

The vehicle has a commanding presence with exclusive 18-inch wheels, a 20 mm wider tread, black wheel arch mouldings, side under protection and aluminium under-guards. The protection features are not just for show, they give the driver confidence to tackle tougher routes, as do new all-terrain tyres that have been developed in collaboration with Lexus’ tyre suppliers.

The Overtrail can be specified with optional raised bumper corners, making it easier for the driver to manoeuvre past obstacles. The Electronic – Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), featured for the first time on a Lexus model, gives extra support when travelling over very uneven ground, with greater wheel articulation. It also makes for more poised performance in on-road driving, suppressing body roll. 

At the front of the vehicle there is a separate central structure designed to carry accessories. There is a wide choice of additional features that can be added to the GX, giving owners the freedom to personalise their vehicle and equip it for outdoor pursuits.

Discover the brand-new Lexus off-roader prior to this world premiere.

The press materials for European media will be available on June 9 at 2:00am CET, on the following site: https://newsroom.lexus.eu/

The press materials for European media will be released on June 9 at 2:00am CET, on the following site: https://newsroom.lexus.eu/

The press materials for European media will be released on June 9 at 2:00am CET, on the following site: https://newsroom.lexus.eu/

Ahead of this world premiere, Lexus has released two preview images of its brand new off-roader.

Over the years, each SUV and crossover model has helped propel the brand forward by blending bold design, adventure capability, renowned Lexus craftsmanship and sophisticated technology into a unique utility vehicle package that results in ever-increasing numbers of loyal Lexus customers.

The Lexus crossovers (RX, RXL, NX and UX) have enjoyed popularity globally with the availability of both full hybrid and petrol drivetrains. First launched with the game-changing RX 400h hybrid SUV in 2005, hybrid sales today account for about one third of Lexus’ global SUV volumes, rising to 96% in Western and Central Europe.

The Lexus GX 460 packs an impressive combination of qualities, a large and powerful SUV that can deal with the toughest conditions while seating up to seven on board in luxurious comfort. Mixing indulgence with performance, it’s a genuine off-roader that’s strikingly styled and rich in high-tech features.

2020 UPDATES

For 2020, the GX 460 has been treated to some updates that give its appearance even more impact. There’s a new and striking rendition of Lexus’ signature spindle grille, which is now flanked by slim “triple eye” LED headlight units. Taking away the side mouldings has given the car a cleaner, cooler look, while at the back there’s a minimalistic Lexus L emblem and a new satin metal trim around the license plate.

Some strong paintwork colour options add to the impact, the choice updated to include Sonic Titanium, White Pearl, Mercury Grey, Black, Starlight Black, Garnet Red, Fire Agate and Deep Blue.

For the cabin, all-new Dark Rose finish has been added to the options of Black, Sepia and Ecru, while a Grey Sapele wood trim is also newly available, matched with aluminium detailing. The three-spoke steering wheel and its array of multi-function controls have been revised. The driver is kept aware of key vehicle information by a 4.2-inch full-colour TFT display in the centre of the instrument binnacle. Keeping a focus on today’s connectivity requirements, an extra two USB outlets have been added for rear seat passengers.

HIGH-TECH OPTIONS

The GX 460’s off-road abilities are backed up by useful new technology options, including Lexus’ Multi-Terrain Monitor and Panoramic View Monitor. These provide clear sight of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings to make maneuvering – particularly over rough ground – easier and safer. Multi-Terrain Select is a one-touch control for adjusting the car’s settings to suit different off-road surfaces – more details are given below.

CRAWL CONTROL

When it comes to tackling extremely rocky terrain or descending very slippery surfaces, the GX 460 can call on the automatic assistance of Crawl Control, which reduces the burden on the driver in potentially hazardous situations. The system controls the engine’s output and brake pressure to keep a low speed, letting the driver concentrate on the steering. When travelling over jagged terrain with scattered rocks, it also reduces the risk of grounding or damage to the underbody, by keeping vehicle speed down and reducing wheel and axle movement.

If you’re coming down a steep gradient, Crawl Control will prevent wheelspin and lock-up. The system is part of the GX 460’s Multi-Terrain Select, which has five switchable modes to adapt the vehicle for driving over rock and dirt, mud and sand, loose rock, mogul and rock. It automatically manages engine torque and braking to gain the best possible traction and stability. And, new for 2020, it can also be activated when Crawl Control is engaged.

CLEAN AIR FILTER

Even when the going is tough outside, Lexus ensures the environment inside the GX 460 is kept pure.

The Cabin Clean Air Filter has a pollen removal mode, which removes any allergy-inducing pollen from air circulated around the driver and passengers’ faces from the front air vents.

When driving around town, where the air can be thick with exhaust emissions, a new automatic function detects harmful particles, such as carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. To protect everyone on board, it automatically switches to air recirculation to keep the cabin air clean. It will also switch air modes to ensure ample cooling in summer, and to stop the windows fogging up in winter.

POWERTRAIN

The GX 460’s surefooted performance is backed up by a strong and powerful powertrain. The 4.6-litre V8 engine produces a maximum 296 DIN hp and 438 Nm of torque, driving all four wheels through a six-speed ECT-i intelligent automatic transmission and a Torsen limited-slip centre differential. A towing capacity of almost three tonnes makes it the perfect vehicle for towing a boat or horsebox.