The Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, which anchors Monterey Car Week, hosts some 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 combines 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 to help 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.
A robust body-on-frame structure gives the LX 570 the foundation to deliver a silky smooth ride on pavement, or to take a pounding off-road. A Torsen® limited-slip locking center differential provides full-time four-wheel drive, splitting torque 40:60 under normal driving conditions. The differential responds on the move to changing conditions, automatically adjusting the torque distribution as necessary. Off-road, the driver can lock the center differential for driving over challenging surface conditions.
The four-wheel Active Traction Control system (A-TRAC) helps to control wheel slip, and, using the Multi-Terrain Select system, the driver can match A-TRAC’s performance to the prevailing conditions. Selectable modes include Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, and Mud and Sand. The transmission’s driver-selectable low range provides low-speed crawling capability for handling steep off-road hills and uneven terrain. Low-range capability gets support from Crawl Control with Turn Assist, Hill-start Assist Control and Variable Gear Ratio Steering.
Lexus went dashboard-to-tailgate inside the LX 570, expanding its already lengthy list of amenities and upgrading multimedia capability. New wood trim selections include Matte Walnut, Linear Dark Mocha, Linear Espresso and Dark Brown Walnut. A new three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel is another classic touch. The modern meets the timeless in the new analog clock, which sits in a housing is carved from a single ingot of aluminum and features LED indicators. GPS functionality adjusts the time zone.
In changeable weather, much like the Monterey Peninsula, the addition of heated/ventilated middle row seats to the available Luxury Package ensures consistent comfort (front ventilated seats were already part of the package). The center console cool box, formerly part of the Luxury Package, is now a standalone option. Speaking of keeping cool, the new standard Climate Concierge feature automatically monitors the temperature of the four separate climate zones and adjusts not only the fans, but also the temperature of the seats and steering wheel individually.
The 2016 LX 570 aims to please passengers. The available dual screen Rear Seat Entertainment System now uses dual 11.6-inch screens in place of the former 7.0-inch screens. Also new, the second-row provides USB ports and the armrest features controls for the air conditioning and audio.
New details throughout the LX 570 underscore its premier position among luxury utility vehicles. There’s new LED ambient lighting in the cabin and cargo area, and the overhead console lighting now operates via touch sensor.
Formerly optional, Intuitive Park Assist and SmartAccess System with card key are now standard. About the size of a credit card, the SmartAccess card key offers all the functions of the SmartAccess key fob but fits easily into a wallet.
