Toyota engineers are putting the final engineering touches on their revamped 2010 Lexus GX 460 with a jaunt out into the California desert for some hot-weather durability tests. Last week Lexus confirmed that the redesigned GX would debut next month in Shanghai and hit U.S. dealers in December.
The GX is expected to pick up Toyota's new 4.6-liter V8 (hence the name change to "Lexus GX 460"), which is rated at 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque in the full-size Tundra and Sequoia. It should be rated similarly in the GX 460, providing a healthy hp increase over the 263-hp 4.7-liter V8 in the 2009 GX 470. A switch to a 6-speed automatic should improve fuel economy, too.
One thing that shouldn't change is the Lexus GX's identity as a true four-wheeler that just happens to be civil and luxurious enough to drive in Beverly Hills. Body-on-frame design is evident here, and yeah, there's a reason those wheels have six lugnuts holding them on.
Europe also gets a version of the GX (i.e., the Land Cruiser Prado), and while the two models will share many overall features, it appears that there are some differences between the front fascias when comparing these photos to leaked shots of the Euro-spec Land Cruiser. We'll have a better idea of the similarities between the two models when the LC Prado makes its debut at next week's Frankfurt Auto Show, as expected.
Check the rear shot of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after the jump.
albook says:
07:14 PM, 09/10/09
Currently the only Lexus I like... they better not screw this one up.
creeper says:
05:29 AM, 09/11/09
at least it doesn't look like it will tip over. hopefully they got rid of the silly swinging rear door and put a liftgate in.
thundera says:
07:12 AM, 09/11/09
If it looks like the new Land Cruiser Prado, sign me up. Too bad we can't have this engine in the 2010 4Runner :(
GX 460 for the wifee, then bye-bye Tundra and hello S5, IS-F, or 335i :D
strategydude says:
07:14 AM, 09/11/09
... and hopefully they did a better job with the 3rd row seats. The current fold-up-to-the-side design sucks. I bet their sales would see a healthy boost if they got the 3rd row to lay flat when stored & added a proper liftgate. Other than that, I agree that this is a great suv and I really hope they don't screw it up! Our 470 lease comes up next August, and I will definitely get another one if they've improved the 3rd row & added a liftgate.