All posts in Lexus

SUV Elegance: 2013 LX 570

Lexus

The largest of all Lexus models is the LX 570, a three-row sport utility vehicle that seats eight. Introduced in 2008 and sold through 2011, the LX 570 returns for 2013 with many updates evident. Those changes include advancing Lexus’ new design language and offering a refreshed interior. Its stalwart V-8 engine returns, delivering optimum power to move this three-ton SUV with authority.

Exterior Embellishments

The Lexus LX 570 is a massive vehicle, just the sort of premium model prized by families that require maximum interior room and need a vehicle that offers ample storage possibilities as well as trailering capabilities. This vehicle features a 2+3+3 seating layout and can tow up to 7,000 pounds. Quite easily, this SUV has the ability to take a large family on vacation and pull a boat or a camper with ease.

Changes on the exterior include an all-new trapezoid grille, reflecting the design language of Lexus vehicles effective with the 2013 model year. That new look is meant to put some pizzazz in Lexus-styling, casting off the bland for a more grand look. Other changes evident with this model are HID headlamps, large chrome bezels for foglamps, wider bodyside moldings, turn signal indicators on the side mirrors and new 20-inch split five spoke wheels. Two paint finishes are added bringing the total to six.

Advanced Technologies

Inside, the LX 570’s bright and cavernous cabin receives dark chrome finish for center cluster and front side air-conditioning vents, a dark chrome highlight above the glovebox and optional parchment leather seats. That leathering extends to the door inserts, to the shift knob and to the steering wheel. Mahogany wood trim is new for 2013, providing a visually appealing look to a cabin replete with leather, chrome and digital accents.

Place yourself behind the steering wheel of this SUV and you’re treated to a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat. This seat offers height adjustment and lumbar support, and is well-bolstered and supportive. The front passenger has an 8-way adjustable seat. The instrument panel feature a brightly lit four analog panel display that flanks a digital driver’s information center. The center stack offers an in-dash CD changer with an AM/FM radio, automatic sound levelizer, digital sound processing and an HD SiriusXM satellite radio receiver. Nine speakers are included.

A standard HDD navigation system offers Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity; Lexus Enform navigation with turn by turn instructions, and Lexus Insider voice command with NavTraffic, NavWeather, stocks and sports. The Lexus Enform software package allows you to search the Internet with Bing, order movie tickets, make restaurant reservations and receive product reviews. A zoned climate control system, 12-volt outlets and storage compartments round out the center stack and console display.

Cabin Amenities

As you would expect, the Lexus LX 570 offers numerous amenities and convenience features throughout its cabin. These include illuminated entry, bottle holders in all four doors, second and third row cup holders, power accessories, a middle row power outlet, a 120-volt power outlet behind the third row seat, door courtesy lights, a first-aid kit and a power tailgate.

Also available are heated and air-conditioned front seats, heated middle row seats, a luxury package that offers semi-aniline trim and a cool box, a DVD entertainment system, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a rear backup camera.

Safety Features

Every LX 570 comes equipped with a host of safety features. New for 2013 is trailer sway assist, joining four-wheel antilock brakes, brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control and stability control with helping you keep your SUV firmly planted. Adaptive headlamps, daytime running lamps and a tire pressure monitoring system are standard.

Inside, this SUV offers front airbags, first and second row seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and a side curtain airbag system. Also available are park assist and a pre-collision warning system.

SUV Miscellany

The 2013 Lexus LX 570 will take you from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Its 5.7-liter 32-valve V-8 engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and offers 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 403 foot-pounds of torque at 3,600 rpm. This Lexus offers a 24.6-gallon fuel tank and is EPA-rated at 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway.

Author Information

Matt Keegan is a freelance writer who writes for The Auto Writer. Please visit this site for industry news including details about Lexus and other premium brands.

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, Inc. (Lexus)

Intelligent Hybrid: 2013 Lexus GS 450h

Lexus

Lexus is a luxury brand that is in transition, and those changes are in response to two factors beyond its control: customer perceptions and geological forces. With the former, Lexus has responded by changing its design language from restrained to bold. With the latter, Lexus and parent Toyota are now well on the way to recovery from a series of earthquakes and a tsunami that undermined its ability to produce and ship cars. Evidence of these changes can be seen in the 2013 Lexus GS 450h sedan, the hybrid version of the GS and a car that may just convince you that Lexus is back and in a significant way.

New Design Language

The refinements Lexus has made to its design language will be evident beginning with each of its 2013 models. The Lexus LX570, a large sport utility vehicle, initiated the updates when it was introduced just ahead of the GS series in February 2012. These changes include an hourglass sport grille that is flanked by arrowhead-styled daytime running lights to provide a more aggressive face. Additional modifications over the first generation edition built from 2007 to 2011 include 9-spoke 17-inch chrome wheels, LED treatments on the tail lamps and updates to the wheel wells, bumper edges and windows.

Under the hood, the same 3.5-liter 24-valve gas engine that powered the first generation hybrid has returned. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission and produces 286 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Torque is another of its strong suits too as this five-passenger sedan offers 254 foot-pounds at 4,600 rpm.

The GS 450h also derives power from its nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery system. The current iteration is lighter and more efficient, and allows this large sedan to get 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. Those numbers put the GS 450h at the top of the range among executive cars and places some serious distance between gas station stops. Indeed, when taking those long interstate trips, drivers will find that they’ll be able to go nearly 600 miles between fill ups. That is certainly welcome in these days of elevated gas prices. Performance is noteworthy too: this hybrid goes from 0 to 60 in just 5.6 seconds.

Sumptious Interior

Inside, Lexus luxury is evident everywhere. A padded instrument panel, stitched leather seating, wood trim and chrome highlights provide the look and feel you’d expect in this sedan. A 10-way power driver’s seat is plush and bolstered, offering height adjustment and lumbar support as well as heating and ventilation. Other special treatments in evidence include a bamboo and leather heated steering wheel, aluminum alloy scuff plates and ambient lighting.

All GS 450h models come equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen driver’s information center. An electronically-enhanced instrument panel, an LCD climate control display and remote touch interface are among the technological features offered. Its standard 5.1 surround sound audio system features 12 speakers, an automatic sound levelizer, voice recognition and text to speech SMS. You can also upgrade to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson package that includes distortion adjustment and DVD/audio capability.

By choosing its luxury package, the GS 450h offers an optimally appointed sedan that retails for under $70,000. That package includes the Mark Levinson audio package; semi-aniline leather; a contoured 18-way power driver seat; passenger seat memory; wood embellishments; rear air-conditioning and audio controls; and rear manual side sun shades.

Sedan Notables

Safety features include driver and front passenger knee airbags; front and front seat-mounted side airbags; and a side curtain airbag unit with rollover notification. This sedan comes with four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control and stability control. Optional safety features include a blind spot monitor, a head up display, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, park assist, a night vision system and a pre-collision warning system.

The 2013 Lexus GS 450h dispenses with the notion that hybrid power and a weighty sedan are mutually exclusive. Weighing in at nearly 4,200 pounds, the GS 450h provides the security some drivers prefer when taking to the open road. It also delivers in fuel economy and luxury appointments, offering a level of all-around driving satisfaction that is still quite rare today.

Author Information

Matt Keegan is a freelance writer and owner of the online Auto Trends Magazine. Please visit his site for industry news including Lexus and other luxury brands.

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, Inc. (Lexus)