Lexus slashes $8500 from LX570

LEXUS Australia has cut $8500 from the starting price of its LX570 large SUV range as part of a facelift that adds more standard features and new-look frontal styling.

The revised line-up is now offered in a single $140,900 variant, which supersedes the previous entry-level Prestige version that retailed for $149,414.

A new ‘enhancement’ package is now available for $16,000, taking the price to $156,900 – $8414 less than the previous flagship Sports Luxury variant ($165,314).

The Toyota LandCruiser-based luxury off-roader receives the signature ‘spindle’ grille design that Lexus first introduced to the GS sedan launched Down Under last week.

Also new to the LX is an off-road turn-assist system, which tightens the turning circle by adding extra brake force to the inside rear wheel, as well as an upgraded Multi-Terrain Select function that adjusts the traction control according to the terrain.

The system has five terrain modes – rock, rock and dirt, mud and sand, mogul and loose rock – with associated information relayed via a new multimedia display situated on the instrument panel.

The crawl-control system has also been upgraded to provide five preset speed settings off road. This is the same system that debuted in the facelifted 200 Series LandCruiser that went on sale here last month.

A new Multi-Terrain Monitor – which films blind spots on four external wide-angle cameras and projects them onto the in-dash LCD display – has also been added.

Further cosmetic changes include LED daytime-running lights and a redesigned front bumper with larger fog-light surrounds. Lexus has also tweaked the rear bumper and tail-lights, and a more “discreet” tow-hitch cover.

Inside, the LX gets a revised and less cluttered instrument fascia, a larger LCD screen, improved optional front seat ventilation, a 220-volt outlet in the cargo area and one-touch indicators.

Lexus has also added a new Easy Access seat system, which eases entry and egress by retracting the front seats and steering wheel when the ignition is switched off, and there is a new dual-screen entertainment system in the rear.

Other standard equipment includes adaptive variable suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera, keyless start, quad-zone air-conditioning, 10 airbags, 19-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth phone and audio.

The enhancement pack adds the Lexus Pre-Collision safety system, active cruise control, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, paddle-shifters on the steering wheel and faux mahogany interior trim.

As before, the MY12 LX is powered exclusively by a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine with 270kW and 530Nm matched to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission.

Lexus is set to introduce a facelifted version of its other SUV offering – the smaller, BMW X5-rivalling RX – in Australia by mid-year, with the same spindle grille, a range of equipment upgrades and, for the first time, F Sport versions.

Lexus LX570 pricing(pluson-road costs):
LX570 (a)	$140,900
LX570 with enhancementpack (a)	$156,900