World debut for Lexus SUV flagship – the LX

It’s no surprise the world unveiling of the Lexus LX was in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates earlier this week. These are core markets for the brand’s SUV flagship, where price is less important than status, and desert-capable vehicles are an art form.

The newest LX certainly has loads of presence, with Lexus adding that it will have sophistication and power high up in the attribute list. That prominent grille would give a Baleen whale pause for thought, though it’s nicely offset by gigantic 22-inch alloys and new L-shaped rear lamps. The body shell reminds of the just released Land Cruiser 300 Series – again no surprise. That helps explain the two engine choices:  a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, and a 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6.

Where Lexus moves the game along is in refinement and ultimate luxury. So expect the latest LX to have more premium gadgets than a James Bond special ops car. We do know it will have a dual-display instrument panel, with an upper 12.3-inch screen and 7-inch lower screen, plus a camera set-up that allows for an underfloor view. Custom trim choices will set each vehicle apart, with an F-Sport grade, which sounds self-explanatory, and a new VIP trim grade which offers four independent seats.

While the Lexus brand had its debut in 1989, the LX first broke cover in 1996, and has sold nigh-on half a million units across 50 countries since, with SA figured high up in the sales charts. With its unusual combination of luxury combined with ability on- and off-road, the latest generation looks set to ramp that up even further.

Use this link to watch the launch video: http://discoverlexus.com/reveal

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