Lexus LX 570 previews all-new LandCruiser

Toyota has provided the first look at its next-generation LandCruiser via its all-new Lexus LX 570 full-size SUV, which was unveiled this week at the New York Auto Show.

The LX 570 replaces the existing LX 470 and shares its hardware with the Toyota 200 Series LandCruiser, which is expected to arrive in Oz around November.

The car-making giant has revealed only partial information about the all-new all-terrainer so far, but what we do know is that it's powered by a 5.7-litre V8 with 280kW and 544Nm. These figures represent healthy increases on the LX 470's outputs of 170kW and 410Nm.

The new LX also scores a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift and a full-time four-wheel drive system that uses a Torsen LSD. The multi-spoke alloys are 20-inchers, shod with 285/50R 20 tyres.

It's also grown slightly, measuring 4991mm in length (up 100mm), 1971mm in width (up 30mm) and 1890mm tall (up 40mm). The new-age Lex also has a gargantuan towing capacity -- 3865kg, versus 2955 for the LX 470.

Visual changes are, on the whole, evolutionary. The new LX has the same relatively boxy profile of its forebear, but the nose and tail now has a vague family resemblance with the smaller Toyota RAV4.

Lexus claims the LX 570 will be the first vehicle in its class to offer a blind-corner monitor, which uses a camera on the passenger side-mirror and front grille to help improve peripheral vision in front and allow greater visibility on the LX's passenger side.

It's also features an optional Pre-Collision System. This system debuted in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars (and the ML series) and is designed to boost occupant protection by pre-tensioning the seatbelts and moving the seats into the optimum position if onboard sensors detect an imminent collision.

The interior features four-zone climate control, third-row seating and there's an optional cool box to keep your beverages chilled. Also new is a push-button Start/Stop feature and an optional 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound Audio System coupled with a 2000-song-capacity Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

Lexus says the LX will also come standard in some markets with a voice-activated HDD Navigation System as well as XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic capability, which provides real-time traffic information.

The parallels between the LX and the upcoming LandCruiser will be substantial. Delete some of the luxury goodies and swap the petrol engine for a turbodiesel V8 and you're pretty close.

LEXUS LX 570 FACTFILE:

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