Lexus new "LX" with improved quietness In addition to off-road performance, on-road performance has also evolved significantly

Lexus' top of the SUV, the new LX

Lexus' top of the SUV, the new LX. This time, I was able to hold the steering wheel on a mogul that imitated a rough road and a mini course that was supposed to be a winding road. It was a valuable experience to be able to feel a part of the new LX on a course that I could not run normally.

In the comparison of old and new LX on a mogul simulating a rough road, first grasp the point by the instructor's driving and then hold the steering wheel. Moguls are so big that I don't feel like going alone from the beginning. For the vehicle height, select the highest Hi2 mode to maximize the minimum ground clearance. The gear range is Lo. Multi-terrain select selects moguls on older models.

Stop on a ramp. Is the tilt angle about 23 degrees? Even if it hangs on the seat belt, the LX stops stably. There is still room for the limit tilt angle, and if you don't get used to it, you will feel fear.

The new LX

, which has excellent running performance on slopes, will continue to challenge moguls as big as mountains. The LX, which raised the minimum ground clearance, entered the mogul by climbing up without being angry. My feet stop and slip on the way. From here, if you step on the accelerator while feeling awkward, you will move forward. There is also a horizontal shake when gripping. You can tell that the actuator that moves the system is also working without interruption.

Next is a staircase made of steel. She has no experience climbing stairs and is frightened. You can only see the sky when you enter the stairs that look up. It is also a fear that you will have to run by intuition while fumbling.

Confirming the mogul performance

I experienced the high power of the conventional model LX again, but there are some parts that survive with the power skills inherited from Rankle, and there are scenes where beginners hesitate because they do not know the limit of the LX. be.

Challenge the same course with the new LX600. The new LX has been divided into three grades: the basic grade LX600, the LX600 “OFFROAD” with enhanced off-road functions, and the top grade LX600 “EXECUTIVE”. OFFROAD”.

The LX is an off-roader with a frame, but I thought that it was a trade-off with off-road due to the comment that the on-road performance was improved, but it ended in a baseless worry.

First, set the vehicle height to Hi2. The speed at which the vehicle height rises is very different from the conventional LX. It goes up in 2 stages, back and forth. This active height control (AHC) can select the vehicle height in four stages. With the conventional LX, I felt that it took a long time to reach high mode, partly because it was loose, but I am grateful that the new model is quick and easy to grasp when the vehicle height is raised.

Comparison of vehicle height adjustment performance. The left is the new LX and the right is the conventional LX. The vehicle height adjustment is the state in which the vehicle height adjustment is set to the highest standard. The new LX on the left can be changed more quickly

In the new model, the multi-terrain select is AUTO. In addition to AUTO, DIRT, SAND, MUD, DEEP SNOW, and ROCK can be selected for multi-terrain select, which changes the driving force of each wheel according to the driving conditions. AUTO is enough for this setting.

The engine with low-speed torque challenges the course set for LX while creeping. Even when overcoming small bumps, the tires convey the road surface conditions and move forward without discomfort. The first stop on the slope is also casually stopped like the old model. The sky and ground visible from the left and right windows made me wonder if it would be okay to be in a place like this.

Enter the moguls. The departure angle is as large as 27.4 degrees for Hi2, so you don't have to worry about hitting your chin. The longer rear suspension stroke grips the road surface. In the conventional model, the timing of idling is early, so when you stop once, pinch the brake of the floating wheel, and step on the accelerator, you kick off the road and start running. It's a moment of courage.

In the new model, these series of movements are smooth and pass without incident. Even first-time moguls drivers will be able to drive without feeling intimidated by the sound of the actuators. The actuator sound was loud and oppressive in the conventional model, but it has become dramatically quieter in the new model. As a secondary effect of the speed of response, there was little swaying because there was little interruption in the driving force.

Continue to challenge the stairs. The 3.5-liter gasoline twin-turbo V6 with a maximum output of 305kW (415PS)/5200rpm and a maximum torque of 650Nm (66.3kgfm)/2000-3600rpm produces 650Nm of torque at 2000rpm, creeping even at extremely low revs. climb up.

It's only after the four wheels have stepped on the stairs that you step on the accelerator. Compared to the conventional type, the shock is small and climbs as if walking step by step. When the drive wheels are about to stop, the system works without delay, so there is no feeling of slapstick.

Activate the crawl control at the top of the stairs. It automatically controls the drive wheels and brakes on slippery or extremely rough roads, and the speed can be set from 1 to 5 km/h. The driver can concentrate on the steering wheel and it is easy to use even for the first crawl control.

In addition, the kickback that is transmitted to the steering wheel when going over bumps is suppressed by the electric power steering, which has a large power in the new model, and if the steering wheel also adds some force, it will not be repelled. This is also a major point where the new LX has been refined.

Actually, the new model has a big weapon. It's a multi-terrain monitor. By projecting images from four peripheral cameras on the vehicle to the center display, the driver's blind spots are reduced, making it easier to grasp the surroundings even when off-road. Furthermore, when switching to the underfloor view, the previous image is synthesized so that the underfloor can be seen through. By visualizing where I was running by intuition, it became overwhelmingly easier to run.

The resolution of the monitor is high, and the sense of security that you can see under the floor is overwhelming. Images can be used not only when moving forward but also when reversing. In this test drive, we were able to confirm the effectiveness of the multi-terrain monitor. It works as long as the camera is not blocked.

The off-road performance has evolved, and I was amazed at the smart rough road performance and ride comfort typical of Lexus.