Luxury Utility Vehicle

The Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, which anchors Monterey Car Week, hosts some of the world’s most beautiful classic automobiles and is also the ideal venue to introduce a flagship premier luxury sport-utility, the 2016 Lexus LX 570. With a powerful V8, sophisticated 4WD chassis and seating for eight, the Lexus LX 570 remains one of the few luxury utility vehicles that combine sumptuous luxury with true off-road capability.

Lexus left barely any surface of the LX 570 untouched in a sweeping upgrade for 2016, with only door panels carried over from 2015. The restyled front end wears an even bolder rendition of the Lexus signature spindle grille, framed by elegant satin chrome trim and complemented by distinctive new standard LED headlights, turn signals and fog lights. The LX 570 design makeover gives it new 20-inch split 10-spoke wheels, and new available 21-inch 10-spoke wheels. The taillights and rear bumper also get a new look.

The upgrades for 2016 go beyond skin-deep. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the former six-speed for enhanced performance and efficiency. New Drive Mode Select, as used in other Lexus vehicles, allows the LX 570 driver to tailor powertrain and suspension responses by using a dial on the console. The system also controls responses of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which continually adjusts shock absorber damping rates while driving, helping to ensure optimal comfort even as the road surface changes.

Modes include ECO, which adjusts powertrain responses and air conditioning to prioritize fuel-efficient driving; COMFORT mode optimizes AVS damping to help deliver the smoothest ride possible; SPORT S mode dials up powertrain response and dials down power steering assist to yield a sportier driving feel, and, to that, SPORT S+ mode adds firmer damping control from AVS to prioritize handling agility.

The formidable 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 383 horsepower and delivers 90-percent of its 403 lb.-ft. peak torque at just 3,600 rpm. Coupled with a 7,000-pound towing capacity, that output makes the Lexus LX 570 an outstanding vehicle for trailering a classic automobile bought at a Pebble Beach auction.

A new standard feature for 2016, the panoramic view camera is an invaluable aid when hitching and maneuvering a trailer, viewing the surround terrain when off-roading, and helping view the area around the vehicle (sides, front and rear) when maneuvering tight spaces.  The new, larger 12.3-inch navigation screen can show several view combinations (panoramic/driver’s side, panoramic/passenger’s side, panoramic/rear, panoramic/front, side/side, rear, front/side/side, underfloor/side/side, rear/side/side) to help aid the driver.

The LX also adds standard several safety features, new multimedia with Remote Touch Interface and substantial dual screens for the available Rear Seat Entertainment System to help captivate passengers.

With room for eight comes safety for eight. Ten standard airbags are among the comprehensive occupant protection measures in the LX 570, and a wide array of driver-assist technologies help the driver to avoid hazards. New and standard for 2016, Lexus Safety System + combines Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Intelligent High Beam (IHB) and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control works at a range of speeds. It tracks the speed of the vehicle traveling ahead and can adjust the speed setting accordingly to help maintain a preset distance. It’s sophisticated enough to smoothly adjust acceleration and deceleration when a vehicle enters or exits the lane or highway ahead.

Using a combination of millimeter-wave radar and a front-facing camera, PCS can detect vehicles, and, in some circumstances, pedestrians. PCS can warn the driver of a possible collision and can initiate automatic braking with Brake Assist if necessary.

LDA uses a camera to monitor visible lane markings, and if it senses the vehicle is drifting from the lane, it will convey audio-visual alerts and vibrate the steering wheel to get the driver’s attention. IHB adjusts high- and low-beam illumination automatically when it detects oncoming traffic or the taillights of the vehicle traveling in front.

The LX 570 offers excellent all-around visibility, but drivers can appreciate the extra help from the standard Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Also with the goal of helping keep the driver’s eyes on the road, the LX 570 puts more information directly in line of sight with the newly available Heads-up Display (HUD). The Heads-up Display shows information such as vehicle speed, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, warnings, information icons, LDA, PCS and Intuitive Park Assist.