2016 Lexus GX 460: The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection

With the popularity of crossover type luxury utility vehicles, a segment that Lexus created with the original RX model in 1998. The choices in full capability traditional type SUV's are limited, so it pays to be the best of a small group. The Lexus GX 460 easily performs family commuter duties during the week and can comfortably switch to more demanding 4×4 needs on the weekend. A 301hp 4.6 litre V8 provides 329lb ft. of peak torque. Helping make the GX 460 an excellent vehicle for towing, with a 6,500lb trailer capacity. Making the towing easier, standard Trailer Sway Control uses the Vehicle Stability Control to enhance straight line tracking. A key to the GX 460's dual personalities is its standard Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System(KDSS), which helps to significantly reduce body lean without resorting to stiffer springs and dampers.



A robust body on frame construction, standard V8 power, a durable full time 4WD system and a veritable arsenal of advanced dynamic control technologies, the Lexus GX 460 can boldly go where active families don't fear to tread. It does so while offering generous towing capacity, room for up to seven and coddling passengers with ride smoothness and true luxury that define the bran 'Lexus'. From the urban asphalt jungle to the last mile of Rubicon Trail, the 2016 Lexus GX 460 can navigate rough roads while keeping passengers pampered in luxury amenities. The GX 460 is one of the very few full capability luxury SUV's available today and it performs with Lexus quality and reliability. The name GX stands fir Grand Crossover. The Lexus GX 460's on road smoothness and quiet ride considering its trail driving capability. It starts with true, full time 4 wheel drive, which uses an electronically controlled transfer case and a Torsen torque sensing limited slip differential. The Torsen differential distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on wheel slip. The system offers a low range for off-road driving and the center differential can be electronically locked.



The Lexus GX 460 employs two suspension technologies to achieve an impressive balance of on road smoothness and off-road prowess. On road, the AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) uses electronically controlled dampers that adjust to road surface conditions. The driver can tailor ride and handling characteristic by selecting from among Normal, Sport or Comfort modes. The real trick of balancing capability with comfort falls to the KDSS(Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System). Lexus was able to make the stabilizer bars stiffer to reduce maximum body lean angle by as much as 50 percent. Normally that would impinge the axle and wheel articulation needed for handling certain off-road situations. KDSS uses hydraulic cylinders acting on each stabilizer bar, and linked by a pressure sensing valve, to continually vary the actual lean resistance. When driving in off road situations, KDSS reduces sway resistance, which allows the wheels to move with a larger degree of side to side independence. When the GX 460 encounters an uneven surface, one compressed cylinder causes fluid to flow to the other cylinder, helping the vehicle to keep all four wheels on the ground. That's a lot easier than you crawling beneath the vehicle to disconnect the stabilizer bars, which is what drivers of some 4×4 vehicle will do before traversing a difficult trail.



The GX 460's multimedia system uses a customizable home screen that can display three sections simultaneously. For example, you can view a single display navigation or map, dual display navigation or map plus audio or other functions, or three displays on the same screen. The touch screen Display Audio uses an eight inch screen that includes a backup camera, HD Radio, Bluetooth audio, automatic phone book transfer, a vehicle information display and complimentary traffic and weather data provided via HD Radio.. The system also incorporates cache radio which has the ability to pause live radio. The driver Attention Monitor helps to address a growing safety concern, that of driver inattention. The innovative system uses a camera to monitor the orientation of the driver's face. If it determines that the driver is not facing forward when an obstacle is detected by PCS, a warning chime and a warning display convey alerts. If the driver doesn't respond as the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle, the next level of warning is PCS gently applying the brakes. At the same time, the system automatically retracts the front seatbelts and prepares brake system to respond with increased force when you step on the brake pedal.



A hard built vehicle, which offers a great amount of luxury. As the reputation of the past generations of the GX have proved themselves on the road, the new GX is expected to indulge in the same path as its siblings. No prices have been revealed and the release of the vehicle on sales is expected to start early 2016.