Superb Overtrail exploits extreme GX550 off-road ability
When we tested the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado-based flagship Lexus GX 550 a few months back, we were thrilled by its a powerful and torquey 260 kW 650 Nm biturbo 3.5-litre V6. Mated to a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, the GX accelerates fast and smooth and the robust towing performance that top end SUV owners expect. And then some.
Packed with pretty well unstoppable off-road tech from its advanced four-wheel drive to optimized suspension geometry and electric power steering for precise handling and responsive, be it in the most rugged conditions or billiard table smooth freeways, the GX is also ready for it all, at home no matter where you drive. The only drawback was the street-oriented SE was, well, just another wannabe SUV that’s forgotten what it is.
Which is where this Overtrail version comes in. More of that anon. Based on Toyota’s robust GA-F platform, new Lexus GX retains a traditional body-on-frame chassis. Bold, sculpted Tonka Toy looks make a powerful statement to deliver a commanding presence rounded off by this one’s purposeful off-roar wheel and tyre. A thick bonnet, Lexus spindle grille and sleek LED headlamps bring a sophisticated, dynamic look. Step aboard to refined and versatile driver centric Lexus luxury and craftsmanship.
Overtrail makes Lexus GX into a real SUV
The advanced, fully digital instrument cluster and 14-inch central multimedia touchscreen dominate the dash. GX has lost many of its former buttons for a smarter solution with the main controls still run by the necessary knobs and the rest where it should be on screen. All finished in sublime, high-quality materials.
Luxurious semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats and Mark Levinson 21-speaker premium sound set the tone as GX also delivers an open, comfortable and calming space. A panoramic view monitor, kick sensor power tailgate, auto-retractable side-steps and a solid roof rail add versatility and convenience. Rest assured, safety, while pleasantly inobtrusive, is next Lexus level too. New GX gets an intelligent suite with everything from pre-collision to lane departure and adaptive cruise control.
On the road, the GX is powerful and versatile as expected. Performance is beyond impressive with zero to hundred in the low six seconds and a quarter mile to scare most sporty hatches and sedans. That’s however compromised by the sort of thirst we’d expect from a powerful engine and a surprisingly short tank range for a so-called adventure SUV. We’d expect closer to 800 kilometres of range from an adventure car. We managed half of that. A bigger, or a twin-tank option, perhaps, Lexus?
We could’t wait to get our hands on Overtrail
We concluded out test of the otherwise identical SA saying that we could not wait to get our hands on an Overland. Well, it certainly was worth that wait! Reading up on the Overtrail, it’s clear that Lexus is pretty proud of the car. “This is the essence of Lexus off-roading,” Chief Engineer Koji Tsukasaki explains.
“We engineered it to deliver epic off-road performance in the refined Lexus comfort.” Off-Road guru Kazuyuki Ueno adds. On-Road engineer Shuichi Ozaki concludes, “GX’s refining dynamics excel both on trail and street to deliver luxury and capability.”
Built to deliver ultimate off-road performance, the GX550 Overtrail throws away those city slicker low profiles for a proper set of 18-inch off-road wheels in wrapped in no nonsense high performance all-terrain tyres. Add a 20mm wider track and under protector, and its ready for the trail. Unique interior tweaks include durable yet refined materials, distinctive trim accents and state-of-the-art tech. But wait, that’s not all.
Electro-Kinetic Suspension unlocks the incredible
GX’s Advanced E-KDSS Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System automatically unlocks its front and rear anti-roll bars to release extreme wheel articulation. This also allows the independent movement of the stabilizer bars, to releases ultimate on-road performance. Aided by six-mode auto, dirt, sand, mud, deep snow, and rock MTS Multi-Terrain Select, and those proper off road wheels and tyres, GX Overtrail is pretty well ready for anything you throw it at.
We were not quite prepared for what followed and had to go back twice to fully exploit it. Simply put, we did not want to hurt the car in our first two runs over our rough and rutted section of eroded test track. The kind of stuff Dakar Hiluxes are subjected to. The third run was pretty well flat out. Overtrail loved it! There’s only one other series production car in this market that can do that. The Ford Ranger Raptor.
That’s a car we won’t hesitate to rave about when it comes to crossing the roughest terrain as fast as possible. It’s also the closest thing we’ve driven to a Dakar race truck. Until now, that is. This Lexus GX550 Overtrail is Raptor-level off-road. Yet its sweet as candy on the road. Subtly compromised by a little extra road noise, those fatter, higher profile off road wheels make it even plusher and more pliant on the road.
Overtrail shares a Dakar Hilux heart
Moving on, GX550 Overland just happens to be propelled by the same turbo V6 engine that motivates the Dakar Hilux. And with Raptor level off road performance, that makes this car the closest thing money can buy to a real live Dakar Hilux. Only difference is that its wrapped in a wonderful Lexus luxury suit packing everything you’d ever need to pamper yourself on, or off the road.
Another most salient point is that the Overland is what a SUV is supposed to be. A stunningly capable 4×4 wrapped in a svelte and luxurious suit. This one’s not pretending to be a car, either. It still does what it does best, first and foremost as a true life 4×4. Best of all, this Lexus is, somewhat surprisingly, a bargain, too. We still rate the Raptor as the best vehicle R1.3 million can buy. One step up, we now have this. Pretty much the best darn vehicle R1.8 million will buy… – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Lexus GX 550 Overtrail 3.5T
Engine: 260 kW 650 Nm biturbo petrol 3.5-litre V6
Drive: 10-speed automatic 4x4
ROAD TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.83 sec
0-100 km/h: 6.21 sec
0-120 km/h: 8.46 sec
0-160 km/h: 14.71 sec
400m: 14.3 sec @ 158 km/h
80-120 km/h: 4.13 sec
120-160 km/h 6.26 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 175 km/h
Fuel: 12.3 l/100km
CO2: 279 g/km
Range: 650 km
Warranty/Service:7y100K/7y 100Kkm
PRICE: R1,802M
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