New 300 gets gangster makeover from Lexus

LEXUS cars have always been flashy, but when Toyota's premium marque recently transformed the Land Cruiser 300 into the LX 600, they dug deep into the basket labelled 'Gangster Mobile'.

The result is the world's flashiest and luxurious body-on-chassis SUV.

There is only one engine choice at launch: the 3.5litre turbocharged V6 petrol, which also features in the Land Cruiser 300.

Infotainment is relayed via a stacked, dual-touchscreen configuration, measuring 12.3-inches at the top and 7-inches below. The bigger screen lets motorists experience all the satnav and audio interfacing, with the smaller screen for HVAC information and off-road data.

Included in the LX 600 luxury features is the introduction of fingerprint authentication. This is a fingerprint sensor installed in the centre of the push-start switch.

When the driver has the smart key and touches the fingerprint sensor on the pushstart switch while pressing the brake, the fingerprint information is checked against the information registered in the vehicle.

Executive-grade boasts four independent seats in the cabin, with rear seats that can be reclined up to 48 degrees, and has a dedicated rear-seat console.

Under all that shiny luxury Lexus, engineers have managed to package a limited-slip differential at the rear axle, not just the centre diff, to give the LX 600 slightly better cornering agility.

There is also talk of special damper settings and electric power steering calibration.

Attempting to calm the influence of those optional 22-inch wheels and a ladderframe platform, is the LX 600’s hydraulic active ride height control, which offers four selectable settings.

If all this sounds like your perfect ride, then just wait because the Lexus LX 600 SUV will be coming to South Africa in 2022!