The LS was built to showcase everything that Lexus represents. It even features active cruise control and a shiatsu massage function as standard.

Then there’s the LFA and who doesn’t know about the Lexus LFA. This was the Japanese brands chance to kick that little Nissan GTR in the teeth and prove to the world that Lexus could do speed as well as they could do comfort.

And today, a new member of the Royal family is reintroduced: the Lexus LX.

The luxury SUVs you already know are McDonalds R2-50 soft-serves to the Lexus LX’s Ben and Jerry’s R45 full tub.

There’s only one model of the LX coming to SA, but one is enough. The LX 570 5.7-litre V8 comes at the SE specification grade.

Inside 8 people can enjoy the SE luxury which includes electrically adjusted seats with built-in heating function for the driver and passenger, and reclining functionality with power slide for the second row of seats.

The centre console houses a full-colour multi-information touch sensitive TFT display screen giving access to the Multi-Terrain Select mode (MTS) with wheel angle display, full GPS HDD navigation with voice command and the Lexus-exclusive 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

The LX does do offroad, although why would you do that, but in case you do there’s a 12V outlet in the back and 4 cameras all round to make sure you don’t drive off anything you shouldn’t. There’s also 3 TV screens inside for the bored kids picking fights with passing cars.

Outside Lexus are toting about their much bigger, more grand Spindle Grille design which is supposed to show us that they’re not just into luxury but also other bolder things like dust and sand.

The power for the LX comes from a massive V8 5.7-litre petrol engine that produces 270kw of power but a pretty decent 3.2 tonnes of towing capacity.

The car is in permanent 4WD and the safety features abound including 10 airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with a multi-terrain anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake assist (BA), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control (VSC), off road ready active traction control (A-TRAC), hill-start assist (HAC) and crawl control with turn assist.

Personally I prefer to drive my car myself, especially when off-roading, but the Lexus LX does it all for you.

Get it: www.lexus.co.za
For: R1 178 600

The post Lexus LX arrives in SA. All hail the king of luxury SUVs appeared first on Reviews of the latest gadgets and cars - AskSteve.co.za.

The Camatte (and there’s no Chevy called a Camatte, I checked) is a drivable model car for children that measures 2.7m by 1.2m.

The 3-seater, electric car is completely customizable. Removable body and door panels, exchangeable lights, tires and rear seats.

Before the health and safety nuts start freaking out at the thought of a billion Asian under-8’s driving around the earth, the steering and braking is controllable by an adult in the back seat. Of course, if the kid gets one of his 8-year-old friends to watch over the controlling in the back…we’re all screwed.

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South African’s are going to love this.

Rutledge (the fat one) buys a 1997 Dodge Ram which breaks down on the way to the iceberg

Adam (the ugly one) buys a 1976 Ford F-250 which also breaks down on the way there

Tanner (the gay one) buys a 1983 Chevrolet C/K 10 Stepside, the only truck to make it to the iceberg. Or should I say the only other truck to make it there.

As a punishment, and in true Top Gear fashion, if anyone’s truck broke down, they would face the shame and torture of continuing the journey in an embarrassing mess of a truck. A truck that surely couldn’t make it all the way, that no true petrol head would be proud of, that no rugged man could show off to his mates.

What was the other truck? A Toyota Hilux, with the two other dolts whose trucks broke down in it.

Incidentally also the only other truck to make it to the iceberg.

Americans…you so silly

Here’s the episode

The post Sometimes you should just start off in a Toyota Hilux appeared first on Reviews of the latest gadgets and cars - AskSteve.co.za.

Call it boring, or “just a car” there are more Yaris’ on SA roads than government unattended potholes. Ok maybe not.

The Yaris Hybrid follows in the footsteps of the Auris HSD we saw revealed last year at JIMS, and it’s a notable move on Toyota’s part because it means they’re bringing green tech to their biggest volume segment. They’re taking this hybrid stuff seriously, yo!

A 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 20% lighter electric motor (compared to the Auris HSD) is expected and it’ll put out a decent 74kw.

Expect it in SA from June 2012.

The post Toyota Yaris Hybrid GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2012 appeared first on Reviews of the latest gadgets and cars - AskSteve.co.za.