autodeadline.com - Lexus LX 470 Combines High-End Luxury With Safari-Proven Capability

September 20, 2004 -- -- The Lexus LX 470 is one of the few luxury sport-utility vehicles that combines high-end luxury with the capability of handling the most demanding driving environments. Especially for customers who experience the harshest weather and road conditions, the LX 470 is an ideal luxury vehicle.
"The LX 470 can truly deliver the utmost in comfort, responsive on-road handling, confident braking and a smooth ride even under the harshest of driving conditions," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "While most customers may not take their LX 470s on safari, they will nevertheless benefit from its rugged chassis construction, high-technology drivetrain and high level of safety in everyday driving situations."
The DOHC 4.7-liter V8 engine that powers the LX 470 provides the low-end "grunt" that a full-size SUV requires, along with traditional Lexus refinement. The engine produces 235 horsepower. Even more significant is that it produces 320 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,400 RPM and 80 percent of that - or 256 lb.-ft. - at a very low 1,100 RPM. The LX 470 is certified as a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV).
A five-speed automatic transmission makes the best use of the engine's high torque and provides smooth, seamless shifts. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) helps allocate brake force between the front and rear wheels for added control under hard braking. Standard 18x8 inch alloy wheels are equipped with 275/60R18 mud and snow-rated tires.
The large array of safety technology in the LX 470 includes front seat-mounted side airbags and front seat/second row side curtain airbags. The LX 470 is one of four Lexus models for 2005 to offer a rear backup camera in conjunction with the navigation system, a feature that is standard in the LX 470. The rear backup camera gives the driver a view of what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle, automatically projecting a color image on the navigation system's seven-inch LCD screen when reverse gear is engaged.

Exclusive Night View Technology
The LX 470 is one of the few vehicles available today with the advanced optional Night View System, which uses near-infrared technology designed to help enhance nighttime driving visibility. The Lexus Night View technology differs greatly from other nighttime driving vision aids on the market. Near-infrared beams from two lamps in the front bumper project objects ahead back to a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) camera mounted inside the vehicle at the top of the windshield. A dedicated computer processes the resulting natural-looking images, which are then projected onto the lower section of the windshield within the driver's field of vision, resulting in a picture similar to that on a black and white television.
In contrast, systems that use infrared-based technology work passively, detecting infrared waves from heat sources that reflect or radiate heat, including people and animals.
Those systems display only a "ghost like" image of such sources but not necessarily their surroundings. Lexus Night View is designed to give the driver relatively clear, illuminated images of what is ahead of the vehicle out to a distance of nearly 500 feet - about three to four times the range of low beam headlights.

Rugged Construction with Advanced Steering and Suspension Systems
Rugged body-on-frame construction, height-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension and computer-controlled shock absorber damping provide the versatile LX 470 with both the smooth,
composed ride expected of a Lexus and off-road capability at the top of its segment. Double wishbone independent front suspension employs torsion bar springs for long wheel travel.
The Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) system can vary the rack-and-pinion steering ratio to improve maneuverability at low speeds and preserve control at highway speeds. A computer-controlled actuator on the intermediate steering shaft employs a DC motor and a reduction gear mechanism. The VGRS actuator adds to the driver's steering angle at low vehicle speeds (such as when parking), quickening the steering ratio. At higher speeds, the reduction gear mechanism rotates slightly in the opposite direction of steering input to subtract from the total steering angle, resulting in a "slower" steering ratio desirable for stable handling response.
The VGRS system's operation is transparent to the driver. As a safety measure, VGRS selects a higher steering ratio if the VSC system is activated in a hazardous driving condition. This helps to prevent too large a steering angle if the driver is swerving suddenly, for example.

Separately, the tooth spacing on the gears of the steering rack becomes wider toward the end of the rack, reducing steering effort at large steering angles.
The LX 470 provides a minimum ground clearance of 9.8 inches. Hydraulic Adjustable Height Control (AHC) allows the driver to raise the vehicle to negotiate particularly rough off-road terrain, and to lower it for easy entry and exit. A height control switch and light indicate current suspension height and will recommend optimal height as road conditions change.
If set in "high" mode, the suspension will automatically lower when the LX 470 exceeds 18.6 mph, which is more than adequate speed for rigorous off-road conditions. Also, switching to high mode increases the angle of approach from 30 to 32 degrees and the angle of departure from 23 to 26 degrees to help the vehicle "step over" obstacles. The vehicle will go into "extra high" mode if it is in low range and traveling over rough terrain, with the height rising automatically by 1.2 inches at the front and approximately 1.8 inches in the rear.

An Arsenal of Dynamic-Control Technology
The LX 470 uses a true full-time four-wheel drive system with a center differential that distributes the power 50/50 front to rear. The system is always engaged and requires no intervention by the driver, except to shift into low-range for driving on steep off-road inclines. The system is equally adept at handling the rigors of slippery winter weather or deep mud or snow. Using the sensors and actuators of the standard four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control (TRAC) uses both brake and throttle intervention to control wheel spin. The ABS operates even in low-range, adjusting its level of control in response to changes in road slope.
Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking. If the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS, the system applies maximum braking power until pedal pressure is released. The standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system helps keep the vehicle on its intended course by detecting front-wheel slide and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition using torque intervention and/or individual wheel braking to correct any discrepancy.

Lexus Luxury Even When "Roughing It"
Standard comfort features in the LX 470 that benefit the driver and passengers include steering wheel audio controls, rain-sensing wipers and rear seat audio. The standard DVD-based navigation system includes voice command, for ease of use while driving.

The LX 470 audio system plays through seven speakers and includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer. The standard rear-seat audio system features separate controls. Sound quality moves into high-end home theater territory with the optional 11-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
The standard navigation system uses a DVD changer/player located in the center console, and the system's seven-inch display screen can show DVD movies. Occupants can view a DVD movie while the transmission selector is in the "P" (or park) position and the parking brake is set.
An in-demand convenience feature is Bluetooth® wireless technology for the standard DVD navigation system. When combined with a compatible Bluetooth®-equipped cell phone, this global wireless technology standard allows the driver to transfer personal phone books to the navigation system and make hands-free phone calls through the navigation system's touch-screen control panel. Customers can place a hands-free call in different ways depending on preference. To help avoid driver distraction, the one-touch dial feature is the only dialing function accessible when the vehicle is in motion. The system can store up to 18 one-touch dial numbers. Some Bluetooth® functions are disabled when the vehicle is in motion. The driver can use steering wheel controls to answer and end calls as well as adjust call volume.
The optional rear seat DVD entertainment system plays movies over a 6.5-inch wide-format overhead screen that deploys from the headliner ahead of the second seat row. The DVD player is mounted in the right rear quarter panel and the system includes two sets of wireless headphones and a remote control.
Owners can have a Lexus dealer set customized preferences for several of the vehicle's electronic conveniences with the programmable C-BEST feature (Customized Body Electronics).
The LX 470 comes standard with a security system that incorporates an immobilizer into the key card, includes shifter-linked door locking, and uses a free-wheel key cylinder in the doors. This feature protects against someone using the wrong key or trying to break the lock by inserting a screwdriver or other tool into the cylinder by not allowing the door to open.
Every new Lexus vehicle comes with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage.

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