If you survived the financial crisis and have money in the bank for a new car this year, how about the new Lexus LX570 that has just been announced in South Africa. Coming with exceptional off-road credentials, yet keeping its luxurious SUV appearance, the new Lexus LX570 benefits its occupants with every conceivable feature and typical Lexus refinement.

From what we’re hearing the LX570 hides a 5,7-litre V8 engine under the hood that sports a whopping 270 kW at 5,600 rpm and a peak torque of 530Nm at 3,600 rpm. This monsterish powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel drive system. Convinced? In South Africa, the new Lexus LX570 will cost a steep R1,085,000.

Check out the press release and more pictures, after the break.

Lexus LX570: The Ultimate Luxury In Four-Wheel Drive

Lexus welcomes its most capable off-road vehicle to South Africa, the Lexus LX570. With exceptional off-road credentials, the urban prowess only a Lexus could offer, ample power and presence, the LX570 will provide the status and image of the ultimate luxury SUV.

Engineers set out to build the most capable off-road vehicle ever produced without sacrificing the level of luxury expected of a Lexus. The LX570 offers the very best of off-road capability, yet benefits its occupants with every conceivable feature and typical Lexus refinement. It’s everything you’d expect of a Lexus and so much more thanks to its versatility of performance.

“We’re having a busy time of bringing a multitude of new Lexus products to South Africa, appealing to a constantly broadening variety of segments and customers,” says Kevin Flynn, General Manager of Lexus SA. “The latest LX570 brings yet a further dimension to the Lexus line-up in the wake of the recent introduction of our performance sedan, the IS-F. Not only is the LX570 a formidable off-road vehicle but in true Lexus style it offers luxurious accommodations of a first class standard.”

A full array of standard luxury amenities are on offer including: four-zone independent climate control, Lexus HDD Navigation System, Mark Levinson Sound System with 19 speakers and six disk DVD changer and rear seat entertainment, Smart Access keyless entry system with push-button start and more.

The LX570 luxury SUV adopts characteristics of the brand’s L-finesse design theme. The wide grille, with its “arrowhead” corner treatment, character lines integrated into the bumper, and large projector headlights convey a distinctly purposeful look. Pronounced wheel arches add an element of ruggedness to the elegant profile. Standard running boards fit closely to the body for an integrated appearance.

Inside, the LX570 is just as inviting with ample space for up to eight passengers and their cargo. The first-in-class standard power-sliding second-row seat slides forward and back for passenger comfort and cargo storage versatility. The second-row seatbacks provide a convenient 40/20/40 split and have been specially engineered to make tumbling it forward easy for anyone. A power retractable third-row seat is standard. The split rear tailgate features an electrically operated door on which the window and tailgate sections can be opened and closed using the key card or switch on the instrument panel.

The LX570’s 5,7-litre V8 delivers the punch and towing power demanded in this segment. The powerplant produces 270kW at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 530Nm at 3,600 rpm. The V8 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission designed to handle high torque while performing with Lexus quietness and smoothness. A sequential shift mode allows the driver to select gears manually. Even at very low speeds, such as trail driving, the transmission operates smoothly and imperceptibly.

The LX570’s transfer case provides full-time four-wheel drive that is equally adept at handling the rigours of slippery, muddy conditions. A 2.618:1 low-range ratio is available for challenging driving surfaces. The system uses a TORSEN® limited-slip locking centre differential to distribute power 40:60 front-to-rear, directing more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur.

Four-wheel Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) employs both brake and throttle intervention to help control wheel spin. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps maintain directional control during cornering and can be disengaged via the “TRAC off” switch.
The Crawl Control feature provides improved throttle modulation when manoeuvring over rough, uneven or difficult surfaces. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) helps provide additional control for off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle from rolling back while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface.

The LX570’s highly capable chassis is equipped with an advanced electro-hydraulic suspension system with four-wheel Active Height Control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). The high-mount, independent double-wishbone front suspension allows for nine inches of total front wheel travel for outstanding articulation over rough roads and obstacles. The four-link trailing-arm rear suspension retains the solid-axle configuration for strength and durability.

The Adaptive Variable Suspension system responds to the different inputs and spring rates, and it adjusts the shock absorber damping force to provide optimal handling and comfort for on-road or trail driving. AVS provides three modes to control the spring rate and shock absorber damping force.

Safety was a prime focus area in the development of the LX570. It therefore comes equipped with 10 standard airbags, including driver- and front-passenger knee airbags, front and second-row seat-mounted side airbags in the outboard seating positions, and side curtain airbags for all three rows. All eight seating positions feature three-point seatbelts. The second-row seatbelts integrate pre-tensioners for the outboard seats and an ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelt for the centre seat.

Safety is further enhanced by features such as Active Front Headrests and the standard dual-swivel Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).

The multi-terrain ABS system determines road-surface conditions and automatically optimises lock-up control, selecting the suitable ABS profile for on- and off-road driving surfaces. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) ensures balanced braking force between the front and rear wheels, while Brake Assist (BA) provides auxiliary force to assist the driver during emergency braking
“The Lexus LX570 affirms the brand’s status as an authority on dynamic luxury, without sacrificing anything in the way of performance or off-road abilities. It’s everything you could possibly desire from an SUV,” concludes Flynn.

For spy photographers, the European Route E45 is the place to be as a number of car prototypes have been caught there winter testing the future models. The latest catch is the Mercedes ML-Class SUV 2012 model which will launched in the market in 2011.

The spy shots of the heavily clad future SUV reveal daytime running LEDs at the front of the vehicle. LED lighting also embraces the rear of the future SUV which is expected to be shorter and much sportier than the present generation models. The heavy camouflage ensured that no more details about the exterior of the next generation ML-Class were revealed. Engine speculations for the 2012 ML-Class include a 3.0L turbodiesel V6, a 3.5L V6 and a 5.5L V8. Also, there could be a twin-turbo V8 engine capable of churning 570hp while a couple of hybrid models (gas-electric and plug-in) might as well find a place under the hood. [via WCF]

Land Rover LRX is the next big thing as far as expanding the Land Rover lineage goes and the LRX has already started gaining popularity with its winter testing spy shots from the Scandinavia surfacing on the web. The heavily clad LRX mule reveals a shortened wheelbase compared to the LR2 which is why the rear end has been shortened.

The mule cased in an LR2 shell reveals nothing more but it is already known that the LRX category will help define a new segment for Land Rover. Some of the signature Range Rover design elements such as the clamshell bonnet and the floating roof will also grace the LRX model as per the company sources. The production ready model of the car will arrive later this year and the engine choice most likely will include a 2.2L turbodiesel capable of producing 160hp at 400Nm of torque and a 3.2L inline six petrol option that will hit the 230hp mark at 317Nm of torque. [via WCF]

The Brand new 2011 Porsche Cayenne will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show as a hybrid all-wheel drive. Porsche’s role with its new parent Volkswagen is going to be tested at the SUV category, what matters most is the Cayenne Hybrid will travel around 34.5 miles-per-gallon, which easily makes it the most efficient Porsche vehicle as per current production. Moreover the CO2 emissions is much below 200 grams-per-kilometer.

Further, the Cayenne Hybrid will be available in four engine choices. A 3.6-liter V6 generating 300 hp, a 4.8-liter V8 producing 400 hp, and a 500-horsepower turbocharged 4.8-liter model used on the Cayenne Turbo. Few markets will also get a 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 sourced from Volkswagen. The  newPorsche Cayenne will also get a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Irrespective of purchasing a hybrid model or a conventional one, each Cayenne will be fitted with stop/start and brake energy recovery systems. Other features promised are adjustable back rests in the new sliding rear bench. More leg room because of the longer wheel base. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne is all set to roll out in March. [via WCF]

Is it just me or does this look like a vehicle that is very close to production ready? Three spy pictures that were taken by Alfa Romeo employees. I’m sure they’re going to be in a lot of trouble – thanks guys.

It shows that Alfa Romeo Kamal – a SUV from the Italian marque that may or may not be built. What we do know is this thing looks ready to be sold. What we don’t know is if they’re going to sell the Kamal or not.

Guess well have to wait and see.

Good news just came our way from Eastern Europe where the folks from Dacia (part of the Renault group, as you already know) have finally taken the wraps off of their latest model, the new Dacia Duster SUV. Sold as both a 4×2 and 4×4, and billed as one of the most affordable and frugal SUVs in the market, Dacia Duster is more of a conventional SUV that measures 4.31 meters long and 1.82 meters wide. Powered by either the 85- and 105-hp dCi diesel units, or the 1.6-liter 16V 110-horsepower petrol engine, Dacia’s first ever SUV is expected to go on sale in Europe in spring 2010, with other markets like Algeria, Morocco, and Turkey shortly after. The Middle East, Ukraine, parts of Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the Persian Gulf States and Russia might as well get their hands on a Duster but it’s going to be badged as a Renault for sure.

The new Nissan Qashqai is expected to get a facelift next year in spring 2009, or at least that’s what Nissan UK has announced. Other than bringing a revised exterior that includes a new front bumper, a revised front grille, an all-new bonnet, and upgraded headlights, the 2010 Nissan Qashqai is also getting two new colors, Magnetic Red and Mineral Grey. And did you see those stylish 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels or the white LCD dashboard on the inside? Price wise, the standard 1.6-litre Visia 2WD manual costs £15,395, the Tekna 2.0 dCi AWD automatic goes for £25,745 while the Qashqai+2 Tekna 2.0 dCi AWD auto will make you spend £26,845.

For those out of the know, early this year Mitsubishi made have announced that they’re working on a small lightweight crossover utility vehicle that will sit just below the Outlander and would. Things have cleared now and right on schedule, the Japanese car maker came out with a bunch of photos picturing their new Mitsubishi RVR — which by the way is expected to hit the floor either at the NAIAS or in Geneva next year.

While specs are scarce at the moment, the new Mitsubishi RVR Compact Crossover is supposedly running on a brand new 1.8-liter MIVEC petrol engine that promises better fuel efficiency than ever. Fitted with daytime LEDs, rear bumper-integrated center brake lights and a trapizoid-shaped grille in the front, there’s something about this RVR that draws attention. Isn’t it?

The Volkswagen Amarok is scheduled to make it’s world debut on the 15th of December. We have however decided to not make you wait that long. All hail Carblog.

Good news is that you don’t have to ride around in one of those hideous looking Transporters if you want a double cab from VW. Isn’t this thing just the best looking double cab you’ve seen in a while. From every angle it looks the business and if the engine stats are anything to go by it will mean it too.

Initially there will be a 2 liter 4 cylinder common rail diesel producing about 120kw and 400nm which will be the strongest unit available. Fuel consumption will be awesome as the predicted range

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I like the VW Touareg. It’s got a bit of attitude and went against all the perceptions that you shouldn’t pay big bucks for a VW.

This is the new one. Updated to fall in with the new VW design language – front looks alot like the new POLO and GOLF6. From the rear though it doesn’t look like much is going to change and it basically looks like the current one.

I’m thinking it looks more like a facelift than a complete new model which looks like it’s a bit of a VW trademark these days like they did with the Golf.

Let’s hope its more than just a nosejob.

A pickup version of the GT500 Super Snake series was created by Shelby Automobiles. It was launched at the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas – which took place earlier this week.

The Snake Series pickup is made on the lines of the (2003-2008) Ford F-150 and has Alcoa Shelby wheels as well as black stripes colored on the red model. The hood is custom made and the model comes with a 5.4 liter engine which gives us 475 hp. In addition to this, it will also feature 6 piston brakes. When it comes to the suspension of this beauty, it has been stiffened and decreased by 3 inches (7.6 cm) to make the ride a lot for enjoyable.

A number of aerodynamic and optics mechanisms are added in the kit and include custom front fascia, carbon fiber splitter, mesh grill and grill surround, bender vents, brake cooling ducts and Super Snake badges for looks. As for the interiors, it comes with a leather finish with Shelby logos quite prominently placed on the floor mats and headrests.