Autoblog

2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift

Zach Bowman — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus has put the LX 570 under the knife for 2013. The sprawling SUV makes its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show wearing a revised front fascia, complete with the company's "spindle" grille design and new LED daytime running lights - very similar to its sister SUV, the Toyota Land Cruiser. The vehicle's side-view mirrors now come equipped with integrated turning indicators for the first time, and around back, the 2013 Lexus LX 570 wears redesigned tail lamps alongside a revised rear valance with stainless steel accents. A new 20-inch wheel design is also part of the update.

Indoors, the 2013 LX 570 comes equipped with a new Easy Access system for the driver, which automatically retracts the steering wheel and driver's seat for easier ingress and egress. Designers sprinkled new mahogany wood trim throughout the cabin as well as additional 120-volt power adapters. Likewise, the instrument cluster now comes in a new color scheme for 2013. Snazzy.

Otherwise, expect to find the same 5.7-liter V8 underhood that's powered LX 570 models of yore. That means buyers can look forward to a stout 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift

2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Updated Lexus LX to debut at Detroit Auto Show

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:53:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Lexus, Luxury

A spokesperson from Lexus has confirmed that an updated version of the company's range-topping LX 570 sport utility vehicle will debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next month. The current LX - and its corporate cousin, the Toyota Land Cruiser - have been with us since the 2008 model year, so it's about time for a nip/tuck.

Don't expect a major overhaul, however. Bill Kwong, Lexus Communications Specialist, tells Autoblog that the changes to the LX will mostly be cosmetic, consisting of slightly updated sheetmetal as well as changes to both the front and rear fascias. We expect the interior to carry over largely unchanged (perhaps some infotainment upgrades), and the 5.7-liter V8 underhood will likely carry over, as well, though some slight massaging for the sake of fuel economy could be in order.

Still, Lexus knows that the $80,000 LX is not a high volume model here in the United States. Kwong reminds Autoblog that changes to the LX as a whole are largely dictated by the European and Australian markets, where the vehicle has more substantial sales figures. In 2010, Lexus moved just 3,983 LX 570s here in the States. During the same year, Cadillac sold 26,874 Escalade SUVs and Mercedes-Benz hustled 19,943 GL-Class models out the door.

We'll have the full details on the updated LX direct from Cobo Hall in just a few weeks.

Updated Lexus LX to debut at Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JT Grey Racing Lexus LX 570 is an unlikely desert king [UPDATE]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, SUV, Toyota, Specialty, Off-Road, Racing

Lexus looks to be giving the Baja 1000 its due. The luxury automaker showed off an LX 570 built by JT Grey Racing to take to the desert sands. With dual King Racing shocks, large 37-inch BF Goodrich tires and a host of safety equipment, the high-riding SUV looks ready to do battle with the best of them. Inside, Sparco was kind enough to supply a set of racing seats as well as an EVO steering wheel. A Lowrance HD7 / LMF 400 navigation ensures that the driver knows where the course is headed, and a Kenwood 110 radio and intercom system means that driver and navigator can stay in contact.

Does this mean that Lexus is heading to Baja? We doubt it, though Toyota has already made it clear that the company intends to take to the legendary endurance course with its Long Beach Racers Tacoma. We think there would be plenty of room in the ranks for this LX 570, too, but that's just us.

UPDATE: While Lexus may not have a Baja pedigree, JT Grey Racing does. The team is planning to campaign this vehicle in next year's race in an attempt to knock out a second Stock-Full Championship.

JT Grey Racing Lexus LX 570 is an unlikely desert king [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is the coolest Lexus LX 570. Period.

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Lexus, Off-Road, Racing

2011 JTGrey Racing Lexus LX 570 SCORE truck - Click above for high-res image

Toyota is putting its full backing behind the JTGrey Racing Lexus LX 570 again this year as the team looks for a repeat in the 2011 SCORE Stock Full Championship. Last year, driver Joe Bacal piloted a very similar LX 570 to the overall championship.

This version of the LX 570 proves you can turn just about anything into a SCORE truck and instantly make it 100 percent cooler. This LX sport-ute has been permanently relieved of soccer practice and Whole Foods duty, and now sports a healthy lift and 37-inch rollers to keep the vitals off the ground.

In last year's championship, Bacal drove the 5.7-liter V8-powered LX to victory at the Las Vegas 300, the San Felipe 250, the Baja 1000 Races and nabbed second in the Baja 500. Bacal's 2011 season started this past weekend at the SCORE Mastercraft San Felipe 250, but Bacal finished outside the points. The next round of the season runs from June 3-5 at the Baja 500. Hit the jump for the official press blast.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading This is the coolest Lexus LX 570. Period.

This is the coolest Lexus LX 570. Period. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASI infiltrates Porsche Cayenne territory with Lexus LX570 Invader

Noah Joseph — Wed, 12 May 2010 08:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Japan, Lexus, Luxury

Think the Porsche Cayenne has the market cornered on ridiculously fast, large sport-utes? ASI is here to tell you to think again with the new Invader. Based on the Lexus LX570, the ASI Invader packs a host of (largely unspecified) performance and visual upgrades to take the soccer-mom-mobile into serious hot-rodding territory.

Upgrading the lux-ute's 5.7-liter V8, ASI has boosted power up from 380 horsepower in stock form to around 600. The result is a 0-60 sprint in less than five seconds. And lest ye forget, the four second range is insanely quick for just about anything this side of a supercar, much less a big SUV like the LX 570.

To go along with the performance modifications - which we also gather include suspension and (hopefully) brake upgrades - ASI has also imbued its Invader with a series of appearance and aerodynamic "enhancements" to give it the visual attitude to go with the power boost. Successful? Ahem, well, you're certainly not going to miss it, are you?

[Source: Automobiles Review via World Car Fans]

ASI infiltrates Porsche Cayenne territory with Lexus LX570 Invader originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 May 2010 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Next Dodge Durango to be called Magnum

Chris Paukert — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

According to an Autoblog source, Dodge will abandon the Durango nameplate for the model's replacement due for 2012. In place of that two-generation designator, Chrysler is exhuming the Magnum nameplate, a moniker used on the low-slung wagon built on Chrysler's LX platform up until 2008. The new Magnum is expected to be built atop the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee chassis (itself riding on Mercedes-Benz-derived architecture) and skew more toward the crossover segment than the previous rough-and-ready SUV.

Our source originally showed us a screen capture of a Pentastar service training software page on its Chrysler Academy Learning Center confirming the Magnum's existence (shown above), but at that time, he wasn't clear what the vehicle was. Since then, our man has learned through a Chrysler zone manager at a New York dealer's meeting that the line item in question is indeed the next Durango. A secondary source close to the situation confirmed to Autoblog that a name change for the new vehicle is in the cards and that Magnum is under serious consideration, but he was unclear as to whether a final decision had been made.

The Durango was introduced in 1998 and immediately found success riding the crest of the SUV boom. A second-generation debuted for 2004 and ran through the 2009 model year, but the larger redesigned model didn't meet with the same sort of success as its predecessor, struggling to deal with the collapse of the body-on-frame SUV market and increasingly plentiful crossover options.

It isn't immediately clear what the reasoning is behind Chrysler's apparent name change strategy, especially as the 2005-2008 Magnum itself wasn't considered much of a sales success (it was consistently outsold by its LX platform stablemates, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger). That said, with the model being more CUV-like than a body-on-frame bruiser, the change seems to make some sense. Further, Magnum remains a powerful nameplate, and the Pentastar has a long history of employing it for any number of different products, including a large B-platform coupe in the late 1970s, a range of engines, and a Mexican-market K-car model in the '80s. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Source: Next Dodge Durango to be called Magnum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Dodge

Speculation regarding the 2011 Dodge Charger has run rampant ever since a particularly intriguing picture was shown during Chrysler's major day-long, five-year business plan slideshow that was broadcast online. It was obvious that the car pictured was not a current Charger or a previous concept, so the natural conclusion is that it was an intentional teaser of an exciting new product.

Judging by this series of spy shots from Car and Driver, it would appear that some of the more radical styling elements previewed in Chrysler's presentation will make it to production on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Starting up front we, see a more rounded and prominent crosshair grille. We also note that the greenhouse appears more flowing with a sharply raked windshield.

Along the bodysides, it's apparent that the 2011 Charger will have very pronounced hips and shoulders with what appears to be a camouflaged accent directly behind the front wheel wells. At the very rear, the next Charger echoes the changes we saw up front with a smoother rear fascia and new tail light design. So, do you like what you see?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facelifted 2009 Honda Civic sedan gets scantastic reveal

Alex Nunez — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Honda

Click above for two sets of '09 Civic Sedan brochure scans

Honda hasn't released official shots of the mildly facelifted 2009 Civic sedan yet, but it has started sending brochures to dealers. You know how this works: brochure > scanner > web > you, so here it is. Up front, the grille is reshaped to align Civic with its Honda brethren and the lower fascia gets a more aggressive three-opening treatment that lets the foglamps be pushed farther outboard. In back, the taillamps retain their shape, but the reverse light detailing is updated. Some models (from what we can see) now also get a trunklid chrome strip. Look for some new wheel designs sprinkled throughout, as well as two new trim levels -- the DX-VP (Value Package) and LX-S (Sport appearance package). Given that people are flocking to more economical cars, those additional offerings in the lineup certainly shouldn't hurt. We expect to see 4-door's front-end changes make their way onto the Civic coupe as well. We're sure scans and photos of that will appear soon enough, with official images and details from Honda sure to follow in short order. Thanks to asndragon for the tip!

[Source: 8thCivic]

Facelifted 2009 Honda Civic sedan gets scantastic reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LX-Prize: 80 MPG '87 Mustang with 400 HP

Alex Nunez — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Green, Ford

Doug Pelmar's 1987 Ford Mustang LX Coupe might have just become our favorite X-Prize competitor. How come? Well, first off, LX Coupes are awesome to begin with, but Mr. Pelmar's is even more special. Rather than neuter his 'Stang in the name of high efficiency, he's gone and created something that should contend in the X-Prize's "Mainstream" category, but would also be right at home on the pages of Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords. The car's engine runs on E85 for emissions purposes and has several modifications that Mr. Pelmar designed (mostly electronics, it seems) allowing it to run much more efficiently -- to the tune of a claimed 80 miles per gallon -- while producing 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. He admits that he could squeeze more MPGs out if he dialed back the power some, but where's the fun in that? 80 MPG and 400 horses in a Fox body seems like a completely reasonable compromise to us. Oh, and MM&FF? You need to call this guy.

[Source: Mustang Evolution]

LX-Prize: 80 MPG '87 Mustang with 400 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 570

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Lexus, Toyota

Over the past decade or so, Toyota has built up an SUV empire, ranging from the RAV4 to the Sequoia and the FJ Cruiser to the Lexus RX450h, with everything in between. But its flagship sport-ute has been on the market - all but completely untouched - for nine years now. And even for trucks that's a long life-cycle. While the Land Cruiser (and its luxury sister the Lexus LX) still won't be getting the top-to-bottom overhaul it so richly deserves, it is getting what will probably amount to a stop-gap update in 2008.

The biggest change is tipped to come under the hood. In foreign markets the Japanese-produced Land Cruiser is offered with a wide range of engines, but in the United States there's only one powerplant offered in both the Toyota and Lexus versions. That 4.7-liter V8 is expected to be ditched for the new 5.7-liter VVT-I V8 from the new Toyota Tundra pick-up truck, complete with Toyota's new six-speed automatic.

Following random shots here and there, more mules were spotted while testing in southern Europe. It'd be fairly safe to say that the styling won't be a radical departure by any stretch of the imagination, just an update on the theme people have come to recognize as the Land Cruiser. That shouldn't stop Toyota from significantly upgrading the interior, though.

With so many SUVs on offer, we can't imagine Toyota sells that many Land Cruisers worldwide, certainly not in the American market. But like other rugged, iconic SUVs (the Mercedes G-Wagon and Land Rover Defender come to mind), they continue to produce it for those who demand nothing less - and nothing more.

[Source: Truck Trend via eGM CarTech]

Spy Shots: Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 570 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: Nassau concept hints towards the future of Chrysler RWD

Eric Bryant — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Chrysler

Click image for a high-resolution photo gallery

With a press conference set to the percussion of the Drum Cafe, Chrysler rolled out the Nassau "shooting brake" concept this afternoon to hint at the future styling direction for the brand and especially its RWD line-up.

Based on the LX platform and stuffed with the SRT8 powertrain (that's a 425 HP 6.1L Hemi and 5-speed A580 automatic), the Nassau strikes a far different pose than its 300C predecessor. Viewed from a low front 3/4 perspective, the rear cargo area disappears and the silhouette takes on the popular "four-door coupe" appearance. Viewed from behind, well, it has a rather boat-tailed look.

The impossibly white interior features a center stack that brings a cell phone-like appearance, along with console-mounted multimedia controllers for the front and rear passengers. The driver gets to select gearbox position via pushbuttons on the instrument panel and a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel; the gauge package is said to be inspired by "expensive" watches.

Plenty of high-res shots from the press conference are included in our gallery.

Detroit Auto Show: Nassau concept hints towards the future of Chrysler RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Open-air mafia: 2010 Chrysler 300C

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Chrysler, Daimler

Sure, it may seem like a stretch, but when Chrysler develops the new LX platform, the idea of a retractable-hardtop sedan is certainly on their minds.

The current front-engine, rear-drive platform will be due for a refresh towards the end of the decade and Motor Trend maintains that in order to make the most (money) from the LX's evolution, DaimlerChrysler needs to use the new platform to underpin as many vehicles as possible.

Currently, the LX is only found under the Dodge Magnum, Charger and Chrysler 300C, but as the market evolves, so will D.C.'s offerings. The new 300C will undergo a thorough redesign by 2009, utilizing the new platform to its fullest extend, which may include the aforementioned retractable hardtop.

Earlier this year, rumors were swirling that DaimlerChrysler would partner with ASC, who unveiled their own version of an open-air 300C at this year's Detriot Auto Show. Unfortunately, the conversion proved to be too expensive to adopt on a large scale and was also a cloth top, versus the retractable hardtop design that's currently in vogue. Forward progress is being made however, as D.C. is collaborating with the Canadian parts supplier Magna Steyr on the development and production of a "vario-roof" design.

Open-air mafia: 2010 Chrysler 300C originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Sep 2006 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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