Lexus LX 570 2008 Vehicle Overview


2008 Lexus LX 570 Expert Rating Summary

Category Base Rating Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle Average Rating



Acceleration 6 5.9



Fuel Economy 3 2.3



Ride Quality 6 6.4



Steering/Handling/Braking 4 4.2



Quietness 7 6.8



Controls 6 5.9



Details 8 7.4



Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 9 8.6



Room/Comfort (rear) 8 7.1



Cargo Room 8 8.5



Value within Class 4 5.2



Total Score: 69 68.3


Introduction

The Lexus LX 570 2008 is the car proof of the saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." There might be a desert or a snowstorm between you and where you are going, yet the Lexus LX 570 is always prepared, always wearing the right clothes.

Though typically used more for shopping on Rodeo Drive than crisscrossing the Continental Divide, the Lexus LX has had "ready all the time" on its business card ever since its introduction in 1996. Now, for 2008, the Lexus LX has been fully redesigned. Still based on the Toyota Land Cruiser (redesigned this year as well), the LX 570 luxury SUV continues Lexus' legacy of reliable craftsmanship with a mind-boggling number of bells and whistles. The new model boasts an all-new powertrain, also as a plethora of gadgets that brings the "wow" factor to a whole new level.

Compared to last year's LX 470, the 2008 Lexus LX 570 has the same wheelbase but is fractionally longer, wider and taller. The exterior has been freshened but is still conservative, and underneath is a traditional body-on-frame design. It also works in conjunction with a new front suspension design to improve on-road handling. The frame is considerably stiffer than before, and Lexus says the payoff is enhanced ruggedness, towing capacity and safety.

Under the hood is a new 383-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, a powertrain that comes from the latest Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Lexus LX 570 gains the upper hand, however, thanks to an electronically controlled suspension with adaptive ride height and damping control, allowing it to deliver an ideal suspension setup no matter what kind of terrain it's driving over. The Land Cruiser has the same setup, and the two also share a new electronically controlled, off-road crawl control feature.

Inside, three rows of seating for up to eight people are once again standard, but the new model is just like the old one in that the third row is too cramped for anyone other than children. The third-row seat still doesn't fold flat, and maximum cargo space is no better than that of most midsize SUVs. But the new Lexus LX 570 has almost no peer when it comes to coddling thanks to high-quality materials and the latest pure luxury features, such as power-sliding second-row seats, a superb Mark Levinson audio system, 4-zone climate control and a video monitor with front and sideview video cameras.

Thanks to updates like these, the LX 570 2008 remains one of our top recommendations for the luxury SUV buyer. On a daily basis, it is exceptionally pleasant and so easy to drive that it could be a first choice as your daily driver. And if you happen to find yourself on some rock-strewn trail, well, the Lexus LX 570 will do you right there as well. Of course, this do-everything description could also be applied to the Land Rover Range Rover, a vehicle that surpasses the LX in terms of historical prestige. But the similarly powered Supercharged version is quite a bit more expensive and trails the Lexus in terms of its reputation for reliability. Another notable choice is the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, a very impressive luxury SUV in its own right. But it lacks the LX's off-road prowess. So if you want a vehicle that always puts you in the right set of clothes, the 2008 LX 570 is the obvious choice.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Options

The LX 570 is a midsize luxury SUV. There is one base trim level, which comes standard with adaptive xenon headlights, 20-inch wheels, wood and leather interior trim, a power liftgate, power and heated front seats with driver memory settings, 4-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, Bluetooth and a premium sound system with six-CD changer, satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. Also included is a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice activation, a back-up camera and real-time traffic.

Gadget junkies can choose from several options. The Technology Package includes an upgraded 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. Additional options include ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, and adaptive cruise control. Also available is a park assist system equipped with front and sideview video monitors for better visibility.

Powertrains and Performance

The Lexus LX 570 2008 comes standard with a 5.7-liter V8 producing 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque. It's connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. Lexus claims the Lexus LX 570 2008 will go from zero to 60 in 7.2 sec, and maximum towing capacity is set at 8,500 pounds. Fuel economy is respectable considering the engine's power, but the Lexus LX 570 2008 still isn't going to be winning any efficiency awards - the EPA gives it a rather dismal 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway rating.

Crashworthiness

The LX 570 includes a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing full-length side curtain airbags. Active front headrests, also known as pre-crash intelligent headrests, debut in the LX 570. Lexus' pre-collision system is optional.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 14-way driver seat has a power front cushion extender to accommodate long-legged drivers, and the power-sliding, 60/40-split second-row seat reclines or folds away for extra space. A built-in cooler keeps drinks cold during road trips. The Lexus LX 570's cabin can seat up to eight people and is richly appointed, with exceptional leather and wood trim crafted of Bubinga, an African rosewood often used in private jets and high-end musical instruments. Robin Leach is no doubt impressed.

For a full-size SUV, however, interior versatility is a bit disappointing. The 50/50-split third-row seat is power operated, with the seats folding up against the sides of the cargo bay. Deployed, however, the third row still has a knees-up seating position that's suitable only for kids. Since the third row isn't totally removable, the Lexus LX 570's maximum cargo capacity is 83 cubic feet, average for a midsize SUV but notably below the capacity of many other large SUVs.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the LX 570 handles exceptionally well given its size, truck-based roots and considerable three-ton curb weight. Off road, the LX has an uncanny ability to go places other SUVs can't thanks to its rugged frame and advanced suspension. The LX also shares the off-road crawl control system with the Land Cruiser, which automatically controls the anti-lock brakes and the engine's electronic throttle when descending steep, slippery terrain. If there's a fault in the whole driving experience, it's that the Lexus LX 570 2008, perhaps because of its superb capabilities, is a bit bland to drive.

READ MORE » Lexus LX 570 2008 Vehicle Overview

Car Show Corvette Concept Cars Video

Here's 2 years old video of Corvette concept cars from the Corvette 50th anniversary held at the Nashville Coliseum, which I accidentally found on the youtube.com. It appears to be interesting:)
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Chevrolet Corvette C6 5th Gear Extended Review

In continuation of the subject Chevrolet Corvette C6 Fifth Gear Review I present this post with extended description of the Corvette C6 features.Chevrolet Corvette C6 4 stars

Sharp, classic looks give the Corvette an imposing road presence. The most recent 2008 C6 styling has barely changed from the old version but that's probably a good thing.

It's easy to assume an American sports car won't suit UK roads, but the latest Corvette deals with curves ably. It's easy to drive hard too. Enter a corner too fast and the front-engined Corvette just washes predictably into understeer - from there you can get the tail out if you like with a bit more throttle. The C6 always feels like a heavyweight, though, compared with lithe European rivals.

European-spec Corvette's are more stiffly sprung than their American counterparts, which helps control the body movements of this 1500kg sports car. That does mean the ride's firm, but bump absorption isn't completely compromised. And the driving position is good too. There's an adaptive Magnetic Selective Ride system on the option list, but it's not worth the premium.

Cabin quality is akin to a mid-range French family hatchback - if you've ever owned a modern Renault or Peugeot you'll know what we mean. The Corvette's a million miles from a 911, but most people could live with it. Although annoying niggles like a failing electric boot release has been reported on some test cars.

Masterful straight-line speed and the roaring symphony of Chevrolet's V8 engine ensure breathtaking excitement. An abundance of torque means you never doubt that the C6 would be capable of 190mph plus.

There's a very useful amount of space in the Corvette, even when it's compared to genuinely useable sports cars like the Porsche 911 or Audi R8. That's because the Corvette's built to meet the demands of the American market, and its no bad thing. The cabin could be packaged more cleverly though, freeing up more storage space.

A Corvette would not impress your bank manager. Thirsty American sports cars like this tend to depreciate very quickly, and that's before you consider how much petrol the 6.0-litre V8 uses. Or how much a left-hand-drive car with this sort of performance costs to insure.

Chevrolet will sell you a generously specified Corvette C6 for under £50k, and it will comes with a proper warranty and full dealer support. That's excellent value for a bona fide supercar. Annoyingly, if you lived in America, you could buy a Corvette for half that price.

High-end electronics come as standard on the Corvette C6. The sound system is particularly impressive.

Buying a Corvette is about as environmentally friendly as dowsing a polar bear with petrol and setting it alight: the C6's V8 emits a whopping 316g/km CO2.

READ MORE » Chevrolet Corvette C6 5th Gear Extended Review

Chevrolet Corvette C6 Fifth Gear Review

Here is Chevrolet Corvette C6 review from Fifth Gear. To read Extended Review by 5th Gear click here.
Chevrolet Corvette C6Recommended. The latest Corvette C6 is raucous, rapid and relatively cheap to buy. It's still flawed, but its powertrain is much improved making it more exhilarating to drive. You'd have to really want one to forgive the sky-high running costs, but the noise from that V8 alone is almost worth it.

This is the sixth generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, America's long-standing sports car icon, now revised for 2008 with a host of new technical enhancements. It's the Yank's equivalent of the Porsche 911, a high-performance legend that's stuck to the same basic rubber burning, V8-power, rear-drive recipe since 1953.

But, The Times They Are A Changin', as Bob Dylan once sang, so now the GM small block V8 that's at the heart of the modern Corvette has been upgraded to offer better fuel economy, cleaner exhaust emissions... oh, and bucket load more power.

In fact, as global oil prices reach record highs, Chevrolet's gone and made the Corvette's LS3 engine even bigger, increasing its capacity from a wimpy 6.0-litres to 6.2-litres. This means this latest Corvette C6 puts 435bhp at the mercy of your right foot - nearly ten percent more than the outgoing C6 - so it'll shove you from standstill to 60mph in 4.3 seconds and on to 186mph if you really let it flex its muscles. That's faster than an Audi R8.

The revised C6 also has a new smooth paddle-shift auto gearbox with shorter ratios, which combined with the engine's extra urge to markedly improve acceleration and, happily, make the Corvette a more refined drive when you're not trying to break land speed records.

The Corvette C6 is available with a targa roof and lighter, harder, track-derived variants like the ZO6 can also be imported for a premium. On the basic C6, the optional exhaust pack we had fitted to our test car is an absolute must. It frees up a further 9bhp and provides the Corvette with the thunderous, raucous soundtrack it deserves.

Yet despite the extra glut of performance, the 2008 Corvette C6 really is more economical to run than before. It'll achieve over 20mpg in town if you're light-footed, according to Chevrolet. We weren't, to be honest, but the C6 didn't drain the tank quite as quickly as we'd expected. That is relative to other supercars with massive V8 engines, mind you...

OK, so through the bends the Corvette still feels like a blunt instrument compared to a Porsche 911. And high-tech Japanese tools like the Nissan GT-R are on another planet. But criticisms about the previous Corvette's wooden steering have at least been addressed; it's now much more feelsome than before. And the standard C6's chassis set-up has benefited from the hardcore ZO6 version's Nurburgring development programme too. It handles a challenging road perfectly adequately but, even so, the muscular Corvette's feels at its best bashing up straight, wide stretches of asphalt.

Reasons to run a mile? Well the Corvette's cabin quality is wide of the European mark, it'll depreciate quickly and it's available in left-hand-drive only.

But, buying a new Corvette is not as crazy an idea as it used to be. It's got a decent sized boot, is relatively comfortable day-to-day and you can import one through official UK GM dealerships, with a three year warranty. The latest 2008 powertrain enhancements make the Corvette a more useable, more realistic ownership proposition too. But its bargain basement price remains its strongest asset - you won't find a genuine supercar icon for less than £50k anywhere else.

READ MORE » Chevrolet Corvette C6 Fifth Gear Review
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