2006 Lexus GX

Lexus GX 470 Wins Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2006 Best Resale Value Award

The Lexus GX 470 was honored today by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com with a 2006 Best Resale Value Award. The luxury utility vehicle earned a Best Resale Value: Top 10 Award as one of the top-10 leaders in projected resale value overall, regardless of segment. Lexus Vice President Sales and Dealer Development Jim Colon accepted the award at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, Calif.

'This honor is testament to the GX 470s unique blend of advanced performance and abundant luxury,' Colon §äid. 'Since its debut, the GX has satisfied a growing number of customers with its sedan-like appointments and dynamic technology, attributes which sustain its value over time.'

The GX 470 debuted as a 2003 model in October 2002. Positioned between Lexus' car-based RX 330 and the premium-luxury LX 470 in both size and price, the V8-powered GX features an innovative full-time four-wheel drive system, advanced safety and handling technology, and a plush cabin with seating for eight.

'Drawing on its strong background in building luxury sport utility vehicles, Lexus hit the market right in the sweet spot with the GX 470, a versatile SÚV that offers flawless finish, a bevy of upscale features and a fun-to-drive demeanor,' said Jack R. Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Lexus vehicles collective residual value is annually among the best in the industry. Residual values for the GX 470 have been at or near the top among fellow Lexus models.

The GX 470 has enjoyed robust sales since its introduction with 2,190 units in the fall of 2002; 31,376 in 2003; 35,420 in 2004; and 24,335 through September 2005. The GX has trailed only the RX 330 and ES 330 in annual sales amongst the Lexus brand.

Source - Lexus

Lexus GX 470 Offers New Lexus Link Telematics System for 2006

The Lexus GX 470 is a full-capability luxury utility vehicle positioned between the brand's car-based RX 330 and the premium luxury LX 470 models in size and price position. Echoing the brand's leadership in quality, the GX 470 was named the Highest Ranked Premium Luxury SÚV in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM (IQS).
For 2006, the award-winning GX 470 offers the new optional second generation Lexus Link system on vehicles produced from October 1, 2005 and features minor interior trim changes.



The GX 470 will offer the option of the new second-generation Lexus Link telematics system. Lexus Link combines Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and digital cellular phone technology to connect the customer with experienced and trained Lexus Link advisors at any time. Purchasing the Lexus Link option includes a one-year subscription to the Safety Plan, featuring airbag deployment notification. In the event that an airbag is deployed, an emergency call is automatically placed to the Lexus Link Call Center. In addition, occupants can place an emergency call to the call center by pressing the button on the overhead console with the emergency vehicle icon. Lexus Link advisors can contact emergency service or roadside assistance providers and offer accident assistance information.

Advisors can also provide stolen vehicle location assistance and remotely lock or unlock doors and activate the horn and lights. An available Directions Plan can enhance driver efficiency by providing assistance with route support, ride assist (taxi, limousine or other transportation) and information/convenience services.



Lexus Link subscribers will also be able to choose the Personal Calling option, a hands-free, voice-activated calling service that enables customers to make and receive calls in the vehicle. Customers can purchase prepaid packages of calling minutes to fit their needs.

Powerful V8 Engine Standard
Equipped with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i), the GX 470's 4.7-liter V8 engine produces 263 horsepower and 323 lb-ft. of peak torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission provides seamless shift quality. Shift logic can hold gears on inclines for power and on descents for increased engine braking—helpful when towing, for example. The GX 470 meets Últra Low Emissions Vehicle II (ÚLEV-II) certification.
With the optional rear seat, the GX 470 offers eight-passenger seating, and available rear air conditioning brings all-season comfort to the third-row passengers. The GX 470 combines the luxury appointments and workmanship of a Lexus sedan with an innovative full-time four-wheel drive system supported by an array of dynamic handling technology.

The available Sport Package gives the GX 470 a distinctive visual signature, with smoked front and rear light bezels, chrome exhaust tip and dark graphite finish on the 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rack. Inside, the dark graphite center console and instrument panel trim complements the Black Bird's-eye Maple wood trim. Part of the Sport Package and also available separately, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is a segment exclusive that adjusts the sway resistance provided by the front and rear stabilizer bars, enhancing both on-road handling response and off-highway capability.

Industry-First Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
The performance cornerstone of the GX 470 Sport Package is the unique Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). First introduced as an option in 2004, KDSS brings new levels of handling, ride comfort and off-road capability to the already highly competent GX 470.

Employing a simple hydraulic control system acting on both front and rear stabilizer bars, KDSS reduces the degree of roll stiffness provided by each of the bars in response to changing road conditions and driver inputs. With its variable roll stiffness, a KDSS-equipped GX 470 is able to use much larger stabilizer bars that can help to reduce maximum body-roll angle by as much as 50 percent, helping to enhance handling response.

Larger stabilizer bars alone would normally mean a stiff ride over single-wheel bumps. But with KDSS, the energy is distributed between front and rear so that ride comfort is not compromised. Úsing larger stabilizer bars enables shock absorber damping force to be optimized to improve ride comfort, without sacrificing handling.

The stabilizer bars are supported by their own interconnecting hydraulic cylinders. In most cornering situations, the stabilizer bars work alone to resist body-roll motion, with no fluid flow between the cylinders. When unequal wheel loading occurs in certain conditions, fluid can move between the front and rear cylinders, helping to equalize loading.

KDSS works in concert with the standard Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which continuously changes shock absorber damping in response to road conditions and driver input. Combining these suspension technologies helps provide superior ride and handling and maximum traction both on and off road. In off-road driving situations, the KDSS hydraulic cylinders allow the wheels on each axle to move with a larger degree of side-to-side independence, helping to minimize any tendency for wheel lift. The increased suspension articulation helps maximize traction, even in challenging off-road driving situations.

High-Strength Chassis, Sophisticated Control
Robust body-on-frame construction provides the high carrying capacity that customers in this segment favor. Independent front suspension and rear air suspension with self-leveling control deliver a smooth on-road ride without compromising rugged hauling and off-road capabilities. The standard 265/65R17 tires mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels provide a good balance of quiet ride, responsive on-road handling and off-road capability.

The variable gear ratio rack-and-pinion steering system makes it easier to maneuver the GX 470 in very tight places. In addition, the tooth spacing on the gears of the rack becomes wider toward the end of the rack, reducing driver effort under large steering angles.

Rear Adaptive Height Control provides flexibility for the GX 470's wide-ranging ability. A high setting provides an additional 1.6 inches of clearance when traversing challenging terrain. The Adaptive Height Control will also lower the rear of the vehicle 1.2 inches from its neutral setting for easier cargo loading. The comprehensive dynamic handling technology in the GX 470 gives it exceptional control and includes: Full-time four-wheel drive with low range, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), active traction control (TRAC), Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

The full-time four-wheel drive system uses a Torsen® torque-sensing center differential that distributes the power 40 percent front/60 percent rear under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip. The ability to change to a 29 percent front/71 percent rear distribution ratio during steering maneuvers helps to enhance vehicle tracking through curves. If the rear wheels spin, the center differential can change the ratio to 53 percent front/47 percent rear to help control the slippage. The Torsen® center differential also makes the GX 470 less prone to slippage caused by sudden changes in road surface conditions, such as driving through a puddle or over an ice patch.

The transmission's low range allows the GX 470 to negotiate steep off-road slopes. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) is designed to augment the low-speed descending ability of low-range by helping to hold the vehicle to a target speed with no intervention from the driver.

The Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) system helps provide additional control for off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface. Active traction control (TRAC) provides the traction benefits of having locking front and rear differentials but with less weight. The system can apply the brake to a slipping wheel, while transferring torque to the remaining wheels with better traction.

Advanced Safety Systems
The comprehensive safety design combines advanced dynamic handling systems and passive safety technology.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps keep the GX 470 going on its intended course by detecting front- and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition with torque intervention and/or by applying brakes to the appropriate wheels.

Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), the system supplements the applied braking power. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) utilizes the ABS and distributes proper brake force between the front and rear wheels according to driving and wheel load conditions.

Driver and passenger advanced front airbags are designed to inflate according to collision severity. In addition, a weight sensor in the front passenger seat is designed to detect if there is a passenger in the seat and determine whether the airbag should deploy.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) also includes side airbags and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags that are designed to deploy when a severe tilt angle, roll or lateral g force is detected.

A direct-type Tire Pressure Monitoring system can detect a severe loss in pressure in one or more tires, to help avoid a condition that could potentially lead to loss of control. A rear back-up camera, available in conjunction with the optional navigation system, supplements the driver's visibility of the area behind the vehicle. The camera provides the driver a view of what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle, automatically projecting a color image on the navigation system's seven-inch LCD screen when the reverse gear is selected.

The Look and Feel of Lexus Luxury
Interior design and content continue the Lexus tradition of blending extraordinary fit and finish with standard-setting luxury. The many standard luxury features in the Lexus GX 470 include automatic climate control; leather seating surfaces and trim; premium audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer; steering wheel audio controls; rain-sensing windshield wipers; power moonroof; a wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; memory system for the driver's seat; steering wheel position and outside mirrors; heated front seats, and an overhead console with integrated HomeLink® transmitter.

The optional Lexus Navigation System integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology. When combined with a compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone, this global wireless technology allows the driver to transfer personal phone books to the navigation system and make hands-free phone calls through the navigation system's touch-screen control panel.

Drivers can place a hands-free call in different ways. To help avoid driver distraction, the one-touch dial feature is the only dialing function that is accessible when the vehicle is in motion. The system can store up to 18 one-touch dial numbers. Some Bluetooth® functions are disabled when the vehicle is in motion, however, the customer can use steering wheel controls to answer and end calls as well as adjust call volume.

The optional, factory-installed DVD rear-seat entertainment system uses a high-resolution LCD screen that lowers from the headliner, providing a mobile theater experience for up to six passengers. The available Lexus-exclusive Mark Levinson® high-end audio system can turn the GX 470 into a concert hall on wheels.

All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48 months/unlimited miles. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage.

Source - Lexus