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Racing cars for Germany to be built by VW in Kariega
South Africa is exporting one of its most successful racing formulas to Germany.
- Industry News
- 7 February 2025
The fourth generation Lexus LX luxury SUV has arrived. Lexus has upped the ante by refining what it already had to offer and also introduced some brand-new additions.
What’s new?
It adopts an all-new 20% more rigid GA-F platform, which serves as a robust foundation for its body-on-frame build alongside two brand-new twin-turbo petrol and diesel powertrains. Weight is reduced by 200 kg when compared to its predecessor, despite the enhanced body rigidity. It is also the first Lexus model to feature an aluminium roof.
The LX’s new four-wheel Active Height Control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) adjust the hydraulic pressure in the shock absorbers to control vehicle height and damping force in line with the driver operations and the road conditions.
Technology:
In addition to the standard rear and centre differential locks, there is an additional front differential lock – a first for a Lexus model. A unique feature in the LX’s segment, these three electronic differential locks give the vehicle an improved ability to deal with challenging off-road conditions.
Brand-new safety technologies come in the form of Intersection Turn Assist and Emergency Steering Assist.
Exterior:
New 22-inch forged aluminium wheels employ the high contrast of black and machined brilliance, emphasising the largest-ever sizing for Lexus.
Interior:
Lexus’s new Tazuna cockpit concept organises the principal controls and information displays within the driver’s immediate sightline for easy, intuitive operation.
Another new feature is the new three-spoke 370 mm diameter steering wheel, which has a variable cross-section and thumb grips designed to give the driver a reassuring feel of control in all driving conditions. The steering wheel heater now provides warmth along the wheel’s full circumference.
The front seats are completely new. A broad shoulder area flows into a lumbar section designed to give the driver freedom of arm movement. Tall side bolsters reduce lateral movement, while the cushion is long and supportive to keep the driver’s posture secure when changing lanes or making turns.
Lexus has also introduced a new automatic system for folding the rear seats to create a larger load space at the touch of a button.
Engine and performance:
The new LX introduces two new-chapter Lexus engines, twin-turbocharged petrol and diesel V6 units which, although smaller in capacity than the model’s previous naturally aspirated V8 units, deliver significantly more power, higher torque and improved fuel efficiency.
The Lexus LX 600 is powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a twin turbocharger with 305 kW and 650 Nm of torque.
The new V6 diesel mill in the LX 500d uses a two-way turbocharger delivering 225 kW and 700 Nm of torque.
Pricing:
Lexus LX 500d (R2 507 600), Lexus LX 500d F SPORT (R2 517 500), Lexus LX 600 F Sport (R2 553 600), Lexus LX 600 (R2 568 700) and the Lexus LX 600 VIP (R2 986 000).
Volkswagen has added two new derivatives to its T-Cross line-up for the 2025 model year. The T-Cross has been the best-selling Volkswagen SUV with over 36 000 cars sold since its launch in 2019.
Volkswagen found a gap in it SUV line-up between the range-topping Touareg and the Tiguan and will fill it with its new Tayron set to arrive locally in the second half of 2025 when pricing and engine specifications will be announced. The Tayron will launch with two equipment lines - Life and R-Line.
If you think Golf in South Africa, you think GTI or even the quicker Golf R. Volkswagen, however, has just introduced a new entry-level Golf consisting of four models slotting in below its twin performance siblings.