All-new harbinger of new Land Cruiser Prado
Meet the all-new Lexus GX, which will replace its predecessor – which lasted no less than 15 years – next year. The Japanese is on a completely new platform, on which the upcoming new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will also be placed. That platform is designed for off-road vehicles and the Lexus GX with its chunky appearance is unmistakable.
The new Lexus GX will be launched next year in Eastern Europe, Japan and the United States and will not be available in the Netherlands. It is nevertheless not completely uninteresting to us, because there is a good chance that there is also a new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in the pipeline. Dis is welcome on the Dutch market and is expected to share its base with this Lexus GX.
And that basis is interesting, because Toyota-Lexus developed a completely new architecture for off-road vehicles. The new GX uses – as befits an off-roader – a ladder chassis with a body on top: a robust solution for the better blubber. And for pulling heavy carts, by the way. The new Lexus GX can tow up to 3,500 kg.
The interior of the new Lexus, with 14-inch infotainment screen.
The V8 may retire
The Lexus draws that pulling power from a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. That power source replaces the atmospheric 4.6-liter V8 that betrayed how long the previous GX lasted. It appeared on the market in 2009 and then a manufacturer got away with mounting a tight 300 hp eight-cylinder – in America, at least. The V6 of the new Lexus GX produces 354 hp and, with 650 Nm of torque, has about 50 percent more torque than the old V8. The V6 is mated to Lexus’ 10-speed automatic transmission.
The new Lexus GX comes on the market in two versions: as ‘natural’ and in the so-called Overtrail version. The latter is an extra terrain-worthy GX with more underbody protection, larger off-road tires, with plastic roughened wheel arch edges and mounting points for off-road accessories such as a winch or extra lighting. Furthermore, the Overtrail is equipped with the new kinetic dynamic suspension system from Lexus. This should ensure that the wheels of the GX can go up and down extra far in the terrain, in order to remain in contact with the unpaved surface of the earth for as long as possible.
The new Lexus GX without the Overtrail package. The beige copy in the photos is an Overtrail.
Lexus GX: with five or six seats
The looks of the new Lexus GX match its off-road capabilities, because more than before it is now a chunky, straight-forward off-roader. The new GX has a longer wheelbase and is wider and longer, but also lower than its predecessor. In addition, the front overhang was shortened for a more favorable approach angle. Five or six seats are possible in the interior, and with the rear seats flat, a mountain bike should fit in the back.
As mentioned, the new Lexus GX is not coming to the Netherlands, but to a select number of other European countries. We expect that the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will come to the Netherlands. Its appearance is very similar to the latest GX. Whether and when that car will have its market launch has not yet been confirmed.
Really, the new GX is less high than the previous one.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl