Lexus J201: The Off-Roader’s Fantasy
Lexus LX
At first glance, the Lexus LX570 impresses with its large proportions and showy looks. But what might not be immediately obvious to the passerby, is that hidden underneath all the luxury and glamour, is a highly capable off-road vehicle the likes of Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco and Mercedes G-Class.
2021 Lexus LX570
Lexus has been known for its off-road capable vehicles for decades now. The two key models include the LX and GX, both of which exist thanks to the Toyota Land Cruiser, which they are based on. With versatile performance on any terrain, the LX570 boasts excellent body stability on uneven surfaces, responsive steering, adaptive air suspension, crawl control, real-time four-wheel-drive with active traction control and 7000-lb towing capacity. It is a tough brick that likes to get its shoes dirty.
For those who desire to get more out of their LX, either new or old, there is a plethora of aftermarket parts and upgrades available that further enhance its off-road capabilities. Everything from lift kits, to body kits, light bars, snorkels, tires, wheels, brakes, suspension… and the list goes on. Upgrading your car with aftermarket performance parts is a great way to improve its functionality and to personalize it. With the vast amount of parts available for the LX570, there is everything one needs to make it their dream off-roader.
J201 Concept
The J201 Concept is an LX570 that has been fine-tuned with aftermarket performance parts. Its inspiration comes from the large community of Lexus SUV owners who love to venture off-road and explore the great outdoors. Lexus calls this group of people “Experimental Adventurers,” and has built the J201 Concept with them in mind. The name “J201” comes from the internal model code for the LX. J201 is the chassis code, which is well known among off-roading enthusiasts.
Exterior Upgrades
Front and rear off-road bumpers that add under-body reinforcement and improve ground clearance
Front bumper winch and light bar
Rear bumper lights
Trunk-mounted spare tire, ladder and water cans
Roof rack and roof light bar
Downsized wheels (from 20” to 17”) that make room for off-road tires with large sidewall and deep grooves
Drilled front and rear brake rotors with performance pads
Upgraded suspension control arms and spacers
Adjusted height sensors that allow for higher air suspension lift
Under-body protection in the form of rock sliders and skid plates.
J201 Closed Swing-Outs
Open Swing-Outs
J201 Drilled Brake Rotors
Engine/Drivetrain Upgrades
Supercharger that boosts power output to 550 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque (compared to the original 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque)
Performance differentials
Air snorkel
Air compressor for tire inflation
Interior Upgrades
Accessory interface for controlling lighting, differential, compressor, battery and angle meter
Aluminum storage cases
Drawers with dog bowls, tools and first aid kit
The J201 “Concept” isn’t a concept in the traditional sense, with one-off parts and a non production spec design. Rather, this is a standard LX570 with real world aftermarket parts from real brands, built to showcase the versatile capabilities of the LX platform. While the J201 Concept likely won’t make it to production, you can build one just like it using all the same parts. And if a new LX570 is pricey, older models of the LX, GX and Land Cruiser can be picked up for cheap. Even without all the fancy tech of a new LX570, they are nevertheless great platforms for driving off the beaten path and enjoying some outdoors.
The J201 is currently competing in the all-female Rebelle Rally, a week long event where participants are tasked with navigating across more than 1,200 miles of treacherous Nevada and California desert without a GPS or cell phone, moving from checkpoint to checkpoint using physical maps and a compass. With two expert drivers/navigators behind the wheel, I have no doubt the J201 will perform spectacularly.
The event can be watched live here: https://www.rebellerally.com/live/
