When Toyota/Lexus files a trademark for the Lexus GX550 name in Costa Rica you can bet your butt it’s the future.
So the GX550 is just a trademark for now BUT in our infinite wisdom we’re going to break down what this things will be, where it will fit, and we’ll give you answers to all your hopes and dreams.
So let’s cover what the GX is first. It’s part of the existing and aging Toyota Lexus family of body on frame trucks and SUVs.
In other parts of the world it parades around in knock off duds as a Land Cruiser Prado.
Essentially what that means is it’s kinda between the 4Runner and the land cruiser.
The GX, despite its fancy pants badge And spindle grille is a wildly proficient off-roader.
One of the reasons it’s so well respected in the community is because it has a v8 and yanno what it doesn’t have?
Turbos.
It’s simple. It’s old school. Which means it’s reliable. Something Toyota/Lexus people hold above all else.
WHICH BRINGS US TO THE GX550.
The interesting thing is the entire lineup of Toyota/Lexus body on frame vehicles are getting a completely new revamp from the frame up starting with the Tundra like this week.
AND this new chassis IS NOT supportive of a v8 .
BUT Lexus also just updated the interior of the GX which tells us it’s still a few years from the new gen.
Which means there’s one of two ways this can go down.
First – Depending on when Lexus drops the GX550, if its on the old architecture it could drop the 5.7L v8 from the tundra in it
Second, and way more likely – the 550 won’t show up until 2023 or 2024 and it’ll be on the new TNGA-F.
Which means it won’t possibly have a v8, and it will either have a detuned version of the 3.5 TTv6 from the Tundra and Land Cruiser OR it’ll be that motor minus a turbo.
In the tundra and land cruiser that ttv6 is good for 409 hp and 479 lbft of torque – so in a single turbo application maybe something like 350hp and 400 lbft?
There’s also and incredibly unlikely chance this is a 3.3 turbo diesel and even less of a chance that this is a hybrid since that trademark didnt come with an H on it.
BUT HERE’S the juicy bit:
The next gen GX will likely be VERY similar to the 4Runner so whichever comes out first will give us a sneak peak to the other.
My guess is single turbo v6 for both which would improve power and torque in both applications along with the 10 speed gearbox.