On the BBC news today: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8618585.stm
It seems that a road-based Lexus SUV has dangerous handling when pushed to the limit.
I'm surprised this is news, I thought one of the fundamental design aspects of an off-road capable vehicle was a higher centre of gravity because of the increased ground clearance? Maybe I'm missing something, could this just be part of the general bashing of Toyota?
Saying that, I'm delighted if anything stops people buying these unnecessarily dangerous vehicles when they don't need them, but that line has been done to death many times before.
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They've never forgotten - or forgiven - Pearl Harbor.
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Blatant protectionsim. The Lexus GX is a Toyota Landcruiser in a dress. It's a ladder frame SUV so on road handling not brilliant but certainly no worse than the dross pedalled by GM, Ford and Chrysler.
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I read in The Times that it was the ESP that was at fault, and you could get it to almost spin round before the ESP cut in (sounds fun in a big 2.5 ton monster!). If it is the high centre of gravity, this is hardly news, although perhaps it is to some Americans.
I suspect Toyota are suspending sales to try and preserve what is left of their reputation, rather than because of any worse safety of the car compared to other big 4x4s.
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Every big 4x4 I've ever ridden in has rolled like a drunken sailor when driven even remotely hard. I always assumed some people just liked that sort of thing.
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I think the American car industry is fighting back.....in the only way it can
Their cars are carp so a bit of competition bashing is now order of the day IMO
NB, when did Americans ever drive around a bend, never mind at speed !!!
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NB, when did Americans ever drive around a bend, never mind at speed !!!
They have a a racetrack called Indianapolis - all one big curve iirc...
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...When did Americans ever drive round a bend...
Jan and Dean drove round Dead Man's Curve:
"I was cruisin' in my Stingray late one night
When an XKE pulled up on the right
And rolled down the window of his shiny new Jag
And challenged me then and there to a drag
I said, "you're on, buddy, my mill's runnin' fine
Let's come off the line, now, at Sunset and Vine
But I'll go you one better if you've got the nerve
Let's race all the way
To Dead Man's Curve"
www.lyricsdownload.com/jan-and-dean-dead-mans-curve-lyrics.html
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Lexus - Dangerous? Or just media Toyota bashing? - Iffy
