 The USA has long been a "second home" for Lexus – and in fact, even the first. And now Russia is a priority market. After all, while Lexus is practically not represented in the Old World, our sales of the luxury division of Toyota have been growing steadily for years. The Russian market is a tasty morsel for the Lexus brand. Our sales volumes may not be as large as in the USA, but they are still very significant and, most importantly, continue to grow steadily. For example, the Japanese plan to sell about two and a half thousand LX 570s here this year. Not comparable, of course, to the American quota of 9,000 units, but at the same time, such sales of large SUVs have not yet been dreamed of by any of the major European brands. |
 It is not surprising, therefore, that the company organized the premiere test of the new Japanese SUV in California specifically and exclusively for Russian journalists. However, in Russia this car was seen even earlier. Simultaneously with Toyota's announcement of the start of official sales in our country of the next generation of the iconic Land Cruiser – also, by the way, three months earlier than in Europe – the Moscow presentation of the Lexus LX 570 took place. The luxury version based on the Land Cruiser 200 was presented to the public at the annual Millionaire Fair at the Crocus Expo exhibition center. But since no one was given the opportunity to try out the new Lexus then, I gladly went overseas, to the outskirts of San Diego (not Moscow, of course, and not even the Moscow region, but what can you do – where won't the heavy journalistic lot take you!), to personally check how the new LX 570 performs in action. |
 Distinguishing the LX 570 from its predecessor LX 470 is easy. Despite the fact that the overall body proportions remain the same and calling the car elegant and beautiful still doesn't roll off the tongue, the Lexus has nevertheless become considerably prettier. The signature L-Finesse design package was stretched over the grown-in-size "five-seventy". But still, its dimensions turned out to be a bit small for such a huge car. While it completely covers even the flagship LS, the huge SUV only got it on the "face". The resemblance to the LS sedans in the front is obvious – both the grille and the headlights are very similar. However, the other "body parts" of the LX strongly resemble the Land Cruiser 200, which is quite natural. Only at the rear is the appearance enlivened by different LED lights. Plus "little things" like chrome door handles, moldings, trim around the fog lights and the rear license plate. It's premium after all, where would we be without chrome! |
 But be that as it may, the Japanese managed to achieve excellent aerodynamics – the drag coefficient Cx is only 0.35. Very good for such a "wardrobe"! The engine was also changed. The low-boost 4.7-liter engine of the LX 470 gave way to a new "V8" with a displacement increased to 5.7 liters. It is 54% more powerful and already produces 367 hp. And the torque has also increased – to 530 Nm. The engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shifting mode. Lexus reasonably reasoned that eight gears from the same LS 460 – is too much for an SUV (or maybe this "gearbox" just doesn't mate with the 5.7-liter engine). |
 It can't be said that they were wrong. During the test, driving on completely different roads – from asphalt to washed-out mud – I constantly noted the smoothness, timeliness and clarity of the shifts. No pauses, no freezes, and no hesitations were noticed. The manual mode, perhaps, can only be useful on serious off-road in conjunction with the latest CRAWL Control system. The latter is capable of making the car move at a very low fixed speed, regardless of the slope or incline – only 1, 3 or 5 km/h! In practice, this means that by setting 1 km/h, you can even walk in front of a stuck car and put sticks, branches, rags, a Dolce&Gabbana coat – anything you like – under the 18-inch wheels to help it get out. You'll say, what fool in a Dolce&Gabbana coat would go through forests, mountains and swamps in it? But it needs to be tested, since it's claimed! Moreover, Lexus marketers also claim that 5% of their buyers will still use the LX 570 as an off-road vehicle. |
 Therefore, imagining ourselves among that 5%, we headed to a local ranch, that is, a farm, where ravines, rivers, mountains and hills, abundantly watered by a three-day downpour, turned out to be more than appropriate. And, having raised the body an additional 70 mm above the ground using the air suspension, we proceeded to storm the aforementioned obstacles – fortunately, all three differentials have electronic locking. The Lexus holds up well even in conditions where few other cars would pass. It almost eagerly churns through the mud, diligently climbs slopes, trying to disturb its passengers, surrounded by silence and comfort, as little as possible. After all, the off-road genes of the Land Cruiser make themselves known, as does the noticeably increased body rigidity. |
 But on the arrow-straight, though not always perfectly smooth, California highways, the Lexus revealed itself 100%. Comfort, comfort, and more comfort – that's what this car is made for. Like a yacht, thanks to the same adaptive air suspension with AVS and AHC systems for adjusting stiffness and ride height, it stately rocks the passengers, as if lulling and calming them. Even at speeds close to 200 (and the LX 570 can reach 220 km/h), its serenity is striking. Slight pitching and a small roll in corners are easily eliminated if the suspension is switched from "comfort" mode to "sport" position. The car becomes more composed and stiffer, but not at the expense of comfort. And in this mode, "catching up and overtaking" in the 570 is a piece of cake, as they say. The difficulty was only in finding sections of highway in California free from radars, video cameras and stern policemen to reach extreme speeds. Let me remind you that there are almost 400 "horses" under the hood, and the Lexus does not perceive the call to active action as mockery. |
 Responding very readily to steering wheel turns (the steering ratio is variable) and not leaning much, it surprisingly clearly traces the trajectory. But, nevertheless, in "comfort" mode, rolls still occur. This is the inevitable "evil" of a large and heavy body-on-frame SUV. But the key word in describing all Lexus cars is consonant with its proper name – it is "luxury". And in terms of equipment level and interior trim, and in the number of various "gadgets", the LX 570 has gone far ahead of its more "modest" brother, the Land Cruiser 200. Even in the base, the Lexus is equipped with bi-xenon adaptive headlights, a Card Key keyless entry system, a power tailgate, and a Mark Levinson stereo system with 19 speakers. What sound this system produces! Not every concert hall can surround you with such pleasure… |
 And what an interior! It is luxurious! A true kingdom of excellent leather with trim of exotic bubinga wood (don't ask what it is and where it grows). Every detail is made with love and care. In its architecture, the front panel again resembles the LS sedan. The center console with a touchscreen LCD monitor is exactly the same. In addition to various information, this screen also displays the image from the rear-view camera, as well as the front and side view systems Blind Corner Mirror. |
 This new feature greatly facilitates parking a car of impressive size. But the "optitron" instrument panel is different. It seemed a bit overloaded. The presence of a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge on it was somewhat surprising. Are they needed in a modern car? To our remark expressed to the developers about the inappropriateness and overload of the instrument panel, we received an exhaustive answer – it was done only for beauty and symmetry. Well, everyone has their own concept of beauty… The front seats with electric adjustments and ventilation – again the prerogative of Lexus – will willingly embrace a rider of any height and build. The seating position is high and solid, like the SUV itself. The proper temperature at any time of year, be it California heat or Siberian cold, is helped by a 4-zone climate system with an additional heater for the second and third row seats (and the third row folds electrically). |
 Having tested the new LX 570 on virtually all possible surfaces, having driven it plenty around California, including the sand dunes of the Pacific coast, I realized even more clearly than before why not only in America, but also in Russia, the name "Lexus" has become almost a household name and why so many people are willing to overpay for a "slightly more tricked-out Land Cruiser". An impressive and solid car, regardless of the road situation, surrounds its owner with unprecedented comfort and serenity. Whether you're climbing mountains, speeding down the highway, or carving corners – inside the Lexus it's always calm. There are not many cars in the world capable of shielding from the external environment to the same extent. And many of our wealthy compatriots want such inner peace. And if another memorable saying of the unforgettable Nikita Sergeyevich had come true in its time – "The current generation of Soviet people will live under communism" – we wouldn't have caught up with America in achieving this peace… |
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"Catch up and surpass!" or Japanese America for Russians
A little over half a century ago, the then leader of our country called from a high platform to "catch up and overtake" America in all economic indicators, and also - a mere trifle! - to build communism by 1980. Communism, obviously, was never built, but we have essentially caught up with America and, it seems, will soon overtake it - at least when it comes to the Lexus brand.
