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Lexus LX 470 wagon in new form ranks on top of the SUV class
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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McGUIRE, B.C. -- Wet snow drifting knee-deep choked the steep pitch of a graveled road through Brandywine Falls Provincial Park during tests driving the new Lexus LX 470 sport-utility wagon in the wilds of British Columbia.
Only evidence of the path, etched into a flank of Brandywine Mountain above an icy stream, came from twin ruts in tracks of another vehicle which proved that forward momentum in all that snow was at least feasible.
The slippery grade looked intimidating, but for this trek driver controlled a formidable machine equipped with tall stance, a torque-heavy engine and 4-wheel-drive system capable of rolling over daunting off-road obstacles.
The 4-wheel-drive system, permanently engaged, has a center differential with limited slip capacity to distribute engine torque to front or rear wheels. Add a locking mechanism to the center differential plus limited-slip rear differential and you get maximum potential for traction.
In addition, driver can change the suspension height of this wagon from a dashboard toggle. Press the button and a hydro-pneumatic apparatus raises or lowers it by as much as four inches to increase ground clearance for covering off-road barriers or drop down to a hunky stance when cruising at speed on pavement.
Thus armed, driver pushes suspension to maximum height, locks center differential for more control, then eases on the throttle to plow new tracks through all that snow.
Then the big Lexus wagon bumps, buckles and claws its way up the snow-bound road, making all the work seem easy, even effortless. You quickly sense that with this vehicle you can tackle with confidence any earthly element, whether wet pavement or slick snow, sticky mud, even rocks or serious off-road rough stuff.
In new format, the LX 470 also proves on pavement it can be a smooth rider with vast passenger compartment which accommodates eight riders on three tiers of seats.
And those plush appointments: Soft leather and rich walnut wood trimmings, power-everything, and seven audio speakers to envelop you in soothing stereo sounds.
What a way to go.
This new generational design, derived from Toyota's mighty Land Cruiser, emerges with more power, more cabin space and more sophisticated mechanical components aboard. It also blends elements from the elegant Lexus flagship LS 400 sedan, including powertrain and electro-luminescent analog instruments which seem to float in front of driver in magical 3-dimensional glow.
The result: A dazzling full-size sport-utility wagon with luxurious fittings of an elite sedan and the muscular assets of a heavy-duty off-road warrior.
Its classy external design enables the LX 470 to stand out in a crowd of cars, not just from its height and bulk but a visual character which looks strong and powerful.
The sloped and stepped hood rises to a flush-mount windshield raked sharply to control wind noise. On each side, door opening stretches wide for easy entry as bulging fenders accent wheels and a low ring of protective molding anchors the overall form to the ground.
Organization begins on the previous steel boxed-section ladder frame, but this new version has three more cross members -- nine in all -- to reinforce it for flex rigidity.
In an unusual move for a sport-ute, designers created an independent front suspension system which uses upper and lower control arms and a big torsion bar spring. The torsion bar links to frame cross member via a floating arm to maintain fore and aft stability for the vehicle as it pares harshness and vibrations transferring from tires to lower arm to torsion bar to frame.
At the rear, a rigid axle suspension with rear control arm and shock absorber bushings was redesigned to improve overall ride comfort.
A console switch allows driver to select from four settings for shock absorber damping, from soft for highway cruising to hard for running off pavement.
Steering employs a precise rack and pinion system with power assistance, and for brakes a disc at each wheel works with computerized anti-lock controls even in low range of 4-wheel-drive with center differential locked.
The ABS through wheel sensors can determine road conditions according to variations in acceleration and harshness of road surface. As roughness increases, the anti-lock application decreases. As road slope increases, ABS also decreases to avoid typical early activation.
For power, the V8 lifted from LS 400 was modified to increase displacement to 4.7 liters. It's a sophisticated engine fit with aluminum cylinder heads, four camshafts and four valves in every cylinder.
The plant produces 230 horsepower in this application and strong torque of 320 lbs/ft.
Such a massive (5,401 lbs.) vehicle requires a lot of power and torque to propel it without feeling sluggish, and this engine does an excellent job. Ply the accelerator and LX 470 leaps forward and even at highway speed still has enough in reserve to effect quick surges when passing.
A 4-speed electronic automatic transmission controls the engine, with all torque channeled through the full-time 2-speed 4-wheel-drive system. In lock mode, the system splits torque evenly front to rear, with rear wheels turning in unison and front wheels biasing torque to wheel traction.
The Lexus cabin has more room inside than the predecessor LX 450 wagon. It's wider and longer, permitting front bucket seat tracks to slide back and forth for two more inches and increasing rear legroom by almost three inches. Headroom is more than generous on front and second tiers, and so too is shoulder space.
More attention was directed to control noise and engine vibration, which means this is a far more quiet and isolated compartment than before -- and such quietness is a rarity among typically truckish sport-utility wagons.
Standard features include power adjustable front seats, power windows and door locks, heated exterior mirrors, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control and a 3-in-1 deluxe 250-watt stereo with AM-FM radio and cassette deck plus 6-disc CD changer set in the dashboard glove box.
Options are limited to a tilt-and-slide power moonroof, Nakamichi 280-watt premium sound system and cellular phone.
Rank LX 470 at the head of the sport-utility class in all aspects, from size and muscle to off-road prowess and luxury appointments -- but also price.
1999 LEXUS LX 470 WAGON
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1999 LEXUS LX470 Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size sport-utility wagon |
| Model Options: |
Full-size sport-utility wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
112.2 inches |
| Overall Length: |
192.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
QOHC 4.7-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Full-time 4WD |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
14/16 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 56,400 |
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