Lexus LX scores V8 diesel

UPDATED 2:00pm 20/10/2015: Lexus Australia says it has no plans to introduce the new diesel-powered LX, which will be introduced in overseas markets including Russia. It said the vehicle was homologated in Australia only for "testing" purposes, but was rejected for "refinement" reasons.

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Lexus Australia will soon introduce a diesel version of its flagship Toyota LandCruiser-based LX luxury SUV for the first time, as part of a comprehensively upgraded 2016 model range due on sale in December.

The first LX diesel – and the first diesel-powered Lexus to be offered in Australia – is believed to have been developed mainly for our market following lobbying by Lexus Australia, which told motoring.com.au in July last year that an LX diesel was "not off the table".

The move will be a bitter blow for the LX's only direct rival, Infiniti's new Y62 Patrol-based QX80, which – like the Lexus until now – is available only with V8 petrol power, limiting its appeal.

Diesel vehicles account for the vast majority – up to 95 per cent – of sales of the 200 Series LandCruiser, which will donate its 4.5-litre diesel V8 to its sister model.

So far this year the LX 570 has attracted 123 buyers (up 14 per cent), while the QX80 has found just 17 homes. The upper-large luxury SUV segment is dominated by the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (540 sales) and Range Rover (309), most of which were diesels.

The first LX diesel since Lexus originally launched its biggest model in 1998 as the LX 470 – powered by a 4.7-litre petrol V8 – will come with the same upgraded 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel as the facelifted MY16 LandCruiser due on sale this month.

Expected to be named 'LX 450' and offering 200kW of power (up from 195kW in the current 200 Series) and an unchanged 650Nm of torque, the 4461cc V8 oiler features new fuel-injectors, revised mapping and a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

Matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, it meets the Euro 5 emissions standard and, in the LC200, is around eight per cent more frugal with combined-cycle fuel consumption reduced to 9.5L/100km.

Alongside it, the MY16 LX 570 will bring an updated Euro 5-compliant 5.7-litre petrol V8 with unchanged 270kW/530Nm outputs (the MY16 US version now produces 286kW and 546Nm) but a new eight-speed automatic that replaces the current model's six-speed.

Meantime, the 2016 LandCruiser will come with a revised Euro 5-compliant 4.6-litre petrol V8 with the same 227kW/439Nm outputs and the same six-speed auto as before.

It's not clear how much effect the changes will have on the LX 570's fuel consumption, which currently stands at a hefty 14.8L/100km.

However, the new transmission can be reconfigured through the Lexus Drive Mode Select system, which is new to the LX 570, and features different operating modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport S and Sport S+; and also governs damper settings.

Both LX models will have a 3500kg towing capacity (750kg unbraked) and a 3350kg gross vehicle mass.

As we've reported when it was revealed in August, the new-look LX wears fresh sheet metal and a radical new Lexus 'spindle grille', with only the roof and doors carried over from the previous model.

There are also new LED headlight clusters, fog lights, restyled 18-inch alloy wheels, revised tail-lights, a new rear bumper and new 20- and 21-inch alloy wheel options.

New driver-assist technology for the 2016 LX 570 includes standard Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Intelligent High Beam (IHB), All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Heads-Up Display, Panoramic View Monitor and larger 4.2-inch multi-information display.

Added comfort and convenience features comprise Remote Touch Interface for the 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment screen, Climate Concierge – which automatically adjusts fan speeds and temperature settings for the four zones, the seats and the steering wheel – and larger 11.6-inch dual screens for the standard rear-seat entertainment system.

The second-row seating is now provided with heating and ventilation in the Luxury level of trim, USB ports in the second row are new, climate and audio system switchgear is now located in the armrest, and there is a standard wireless charging tray for Qi-compatible smartphones.

Other new LX features for 2016 include LED ambient lighting in the cabin and cargo area, touch-sensor overhead lighting, manual second-row sunshades, a restyled analogue clock and new three-spoke steering wheel.

New standard features that were previously optional include Intuitive Park Assist and SmartAccess System with card key, while the Lexus Enform Remote system brings better smartphone integration and new apps that can lock/unlock doors, remotely start/stop the engine, adjust the climate-control, locate the vehicle in a parking lot, or set up a guest driver monitor.

Pricing for the MY16 LX line-up is yet to be revealed, but the sole LX 570 model now on sale is priced at $134,310 plus on-road costs, and diesel versions of the current LandCruiser 200 cost $3000 more than the equivalent V8 petrol variants.