Lexus LX test drive since 2008 SUV
"Catch up and overtake!" or Japanese America for Russians
A little more than half a century ago, the then leader of our country from a high rostrum urged to catch up and overtake America in all economic indicators, and at the same time a real trifle! Build communism by 1980. Communism, which was obviously built, was never built, but we, in fact, caught up with America and, it seems, will soon be distilled in any case, with regard to the Lexus brand. The United States has long been the second homeland for Lexus and, in fact, even the first. And now Russia is a priority market. Indeed, while Lexus is practically not represented in the Old World, we have been selling Toyota’s luxury unit for a year now. The Russian market is a tidbit for the Lexus brand. The sales volumes may not be as large as in the United States, but they are still very significant and, most importantly, continue to increase stably. For example, the Japanese are going to sell here this year about two and a half thousand LX 570. Do not compare, of course, with an American quota of 9,000 units, but at the same time, such sales of large SUVs have not even dreamed of any of the majority European brands.
It is not surprising, therefore, the company organized the premiere test of the new Japanese SUV in California specifically and exclusively for Russian journalists. However, in Russia this car happened to be seen even earlier. Simultaneously with the announcement of Toyota about the start of official sales in our country of the next generation of the cult Land Cruiser, by the way, three months earlier than in Europe, the Moscow presentation Lexus LX 570 was held. A luxury version based on Land Cruiser 200 was presented to the public for the public annual Millionaire Fair in the exhibition center Crocus Expo. But, since the possibilities of testing the new Lexus did not give anyone then, I was happy to go behind the ocean, to the vicinity of San Diego (not Moscow, of course, not even suburbs, but what to do where the hard journalist share will not abandon!), To personally Check what is the new LX 570 in the case. It is possible to distinguish LX 570 from your predecessor LX 470 without difficulty. Despite the fact that the general proportions of the body remained the same and call the car elegant and beautiful the language still does not turn, Lexus still pretty much buried. On the dimensions that grew up in dimensions, the five hundred and seventies pulled the proprietary designer packaging L-free. But still, its dimensions were not enough for such a huge car. While even she covers the representative LS completely, she climbed a huge SUV only on her face. The resemblance to the LS sedans in the front is obvious both the grille of the radiator and the headlights are very similar. However, other parts of the body of the LX strongly resemble Land Cruiser 200, which is quite natural. Only behind the appearance of other LED lights revive. Plus, a trifle like chrome door handles, moldings, trimming backgrounds and rear license plates. Premium still, where without chrome!
But, be that as it may, the Japanese managed to achieve excellent aerodynamics, the coefficient of SC is only 0.35. Very good for such a closet! Changed the motor. The low -compiled 4.7 liter LX 470 engine gave way to a new eight with a volume that grew up to 5.7 liters. It is more powerful by 54% and already gives 367 hp. And the torque has grown to 530 nm. The engine is aggregated with a new six -speed automatic checkpoint with a sequental gear mode. On Lexus, it reasonably reasoned that eight programs from the same LS 460 for the SUV Overkill (or maybe this box with a 5.7 liter engine simply does not join). This is not to say that they were mistaken. In the course of the test, having traveled on absolutely different roads from asphalt to blurry mud, I constantly noted smoothness, timeliness and clarity of switching. Neither pauses, nor fades and thoughts are noticed. The manual regime, perhaps, can be useful only on a serious off -road paired with the latest Crawl Control system. The latter is able to make the car move with a very low fixed, regardless of slope or rise, only 1, 3 or 5 km/h! In practice, this means that, having exposed 1 km/h, you can even go ahead of the bogged car and lay a stick, branches, rags, a coat from Dolce & Gabbana under 18 inches wheels to help him get out. What a fool in the Dolce & Gabbana coat will climb on it in forests, mountains and swamps? But you need to check it, since it is stated! In addition, Lexus marketers say that 5% of their buyers will nevertheless use LX 570 precisely as an SUV.
Therefore, imagining ourselves among these 5%, we went to the local ranch, that is, a farm where the buuds, rivers, mountains and hills, abundantly irrigated by a three -day showers, turned out to be more by the way. And, raising the body an additional 70 mm above the ground with the help of air suspension, they began to storm the aforementioned obstacles that all three differentials have electronic lock. Lexus holds well as well as in such conditions where there will be few other car passes. Almost with hunting, dirt is kneaded, diligently climbing the slopes, while trying to disturb his silence and comfort of the riders as little as possible. Still, off-road Land Cruiser off-road genes make themselves felt, as well as the noticeably increased body rigidity. But on the straight lines as an arrow, but not always perfectly even California highway, Lexus opened 100%. Comfort, comfort and once again comfort this is why this car was created. Like a jacket, with the efforts of the same adaptive hydraulic suspension with systems for adjusting the stiffness and height of the AVS and AHC shock absorbers, it serenias passengers, as if lulling and soothing them. Even at speeds at 200 (a LX 570, it is capable of gaining 220 km/h) its serenity is striking. Light swing and a small roll in corners are easily eliminated if the suspension from the mode is converted to the sport position. The car becomes more collected and tougher, but not at all to the detriment of comfort. And in this mode, catch up and overtake by 570th times spit, as they say. The difficulty was only where to find in California the sections of highweight free from radars, video cameras and harsh policemen to reach maximum speeds. Let me remind you that almost 400 horses are under the hood, and Lexus does not perceive the call to active actions as a mockery.
Very willingly responding to the turns of the steering wheel (a variable gear ratio) and not very hard, he surprisingly clearly prescribes the trajectory. But, nevertheless, in the mode of comfort the rolls still take place. This is the inevitable evil of a large and heavy frame SUV. But the keyword in the description of all cars from Lexus is consonant with his own name is luxury. Both in terms of equipping and decorating the salon, and by the number of various lotions of LX 570, it went far ahead of its more modest brother Land Cruiser 200. Already in the Lexus database is equipped with a bixenon adaptive light, a non -contact access system of Card Key, a trunk door and the Mark Levinson stereo system with 19 speakers. What sound does this system give out! Not every concert hall will be able to surround you with such pleasure And what is the salon! He is luxurious! The real kingdom of excellent skin with the decoration of the exotic tree of Babin (do not ask what it is and where it grows). Each detail is made with love and thoroughness. In its architecture, the front panel again resembles the LS sedan. The central console with a sensory LCD monitor is just the same. In addition to various information, this screen also displays the picture from the rear -side camera, as well as the front and side review systems Blind Corner Mirror.
This novelty greatly facilitates the parking of impressive car size. But the optimal dashboard is different. She seemed a little overloaded. The presence of a voltmeter and an oil pressure sensor on it was somewhat surprised. Do a modern car need them? On our remark, expressed to developers about the inappropriateness and overload of the dashboard, we received an exhaustive answer made only for beauty and symmetry. Well, each has its own concept of beauty the front seats with electroregulations and ventilation, again, the prerogative of Lexus will be eagerly taken into their arms to the rider of any height and physique. The landing is high and solid, like the SUV itself. The proper temperature at any time of the year, whether California heat or Siberian cold, helps maintain a 4-zone climate system with an additional heater for seats of the second and third rows (and the third is folded using an electric drive). Having tested the new LX 570 on almost all possible coatings, having fused his steering wheel in California, including the sand dunes of the Pacific coast, I even more clearly realized why not only in America but also in Russia Lexus has become almost a household name and why the number of people who are ready to overpay for a little more sophisticated Land Cruiser. An impressive and solid car, regardless of the road situation, surrounds its owner with unprecedented comfort and serenity. Whether you climb into the mountains, whether you are rushing along the freeway or lay the turns in the Lexus salon is always calm. There are not many cars in the world that can in the same extent protect from the external environment. And many of our wealthy compatriots want such internal peace. But at one time, one more acceptable saying of the unforgettable Nikita Sergeyevich is to come true at one time, the current generation of Soviet people will live under communism, and we would not have caught up with this peace of peace
Alexander Goryunov
