“How the experimental becomes the experiential.” That’s how Lexus describes the J201 Concept I was recently allowed to drive through Montana.
Actually, driving doesn’t really cover it. In this case I was charging up a two-track dirt trail after a recent snowstorm in the mountains east of Missoula. Despite the slippery, rutted, and rock-strewn path the Lexus J201 Concept clearly enjoyed showing off its capabilities as I rapidly and effortlessly ascended the mountain pass along an increasingly muddy/snowy trail. This level of off-road prowess isn’t normally associated with Lexus, which is exactly why the Japanese luxury brand built the J201 Concept.
Lexus assembled this marvel of multi-terrain travel using the LX 570 platform as a starting point. In fact, the “201” in the name comes from Lexus’ internal platform code for the LX, a vehicle that’s based off Toyota’s Land Cruiser, and one that is certainly no slouch when it comes to off-roading. But where the LX 570 balances on-road comfort with off-road potential, the J201 Concept goes all in on adventuring, with exterior, interior and mechanical modifications to create the ultimate overloading vehicle.
For those new to the term, “overloading” is the act of leaving the paved world behind to explore vast reaches of the unexplored. When you overland, you don’t go to an off-road course or national park for a few hours. You go off grid for (at least) a few days. And the key to these multi-day excursions is a capable, properly-equipped vehicle with the right combination of features to maximize the experience.
Lexus partnered with Expedition Overland, a team of experts in the field of building overloading vehicles and leading overloading adventures, to create the J201 Concept. The result is the vehicle you see here, a luxury-oriented, highly specialized off-road device meant to inspire the overloading spirit. According to Expedition Overland’s representatives, they had various target profiles of who would drive a vehicle like this, including James Bond and Lara Croft.
The long list of modifications includes a Magnuson supercharger, imbuing the factory 5.7-liter V8 engine with 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque (up from the standard 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque). That power travels through an 8-speed automatic and front and rear ARB air locking differentials with 4.30 Nitro Gears. A set of EVO Corse Daka Zero Wheels, sized 17x8 inches and wearing General Grabber X3 off-road tires, provides grip, with StopTech brake rotors delivering stopping power.
These drivetrain modifications give the J201 Concept substantially more power and torque than a standard LX 570, backing up the aggressive visual cues coming from the custom front and rear CBI (stands for “Can’t Break It”) bumpers with a Warn winch, custom lighting, rear ladder, spare tire and dual 5-gallon water (or gas) cans. CBI also produced the lower side rails (or “rock sliders”) and underbody skip plates to protect the J201 during extreme off-road maneuvers.
Lower and underbody protection is always prudent when off-roading, though the J201 Concept also features an Icon Vehicle Dynamics air suspension, giving the Lexus SUV an elevated ride height of up 13 inches, or 5 inches beyond the standard LX 570’s. The system is powered by twin ARB air compressors, which can also lock the front and rear differentials or alter tire pressure. An ARB LINX accessory interface, mounted above the center of the windshield, uses a graphical touchscreen to operate the winch, air compressors and auxiliary lighting.
Much of the J201 Concept’s enhanced performance isn’t immediately apparent, but the aggressive TJM air snorkel, elaborate Prinsu Design roof rack system and meaty CBI bumpers and side rails make it obvious this is no ordinary luxury ute. Sliding inside reveals a familiar LX 570 interior with a few key add-ons, like the ARB control unit above the windshield and Goose Gear drawer module replacing the third-row seat. These drawers create an organized storage space for additional overloading equipment, along with a large, flat carpeted surface for an overlander’s four-legged best friend to ride.
While the J201 Concept’s powerful V8, elevated ride height, locking differentials, and grippy tires provided all the confidence and entertainment we could ask for when tackling the great outdoors, it was the more subtle design elements that really impressed us. The small-but-powerful exterior lighting elements to assist setting up camp after dark. The on-board compressors that make locking the differentials or changing the tire pressure a button-push away. The swing-out rear bumper with a mounted full spare tire and duel gas cans. The organized storage space that includes a perch for Fido.
These items take the Lexus J201 Concept beyond the world of off-roading and deep into the realm of off-gridding. You could say it’s how experimental becomes experiential.
