Lexus announced the LBX MORIZO RR, a high-performance model of the new LBX compact SUV, on July 18, 2024, and has begun accepting orders. The official launch will be in late August 2024, priced at 6.5 million yen. In addition, to coincide with the launch, 100 LBX MORIZO RR “Bespoke Build” units will be sold by lottery, priced at 7.2 million yen. Applications for the lottery will be accepted at Lexus dealerships nationwide from Thursday, July 18 to Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and winners will be contacted by their dealership.
We will explain the details of “LBX MORIZO RR”.
About the Lexus LBX High Performance Model LBX MORIZO RR
LBX MORIZO RR
The newly introduced high-performance model “LBX MORIZO RR” is based on Lexus’ compact model “LBX. ” The “LBX MORIZO RR” is a model that had been announced before the LBX, and Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo and the master driver, participated in its development.
The car is equipped with the 1.6L inline 3-cylinder intercooled turbo engine “G16-GTS,” a tuned version of the “G16E-GTS” used in the ” Evolved GR Yaris .” Maximum output is 224kW (304PS) at 6,500 rpm, and maximum torque is 400Nm (40.8kgm) at 3,250-4,600 rpm. Furthermore, to maximize vehicle performance, a Direct Shift 8AT is available, a Lexus first, a 6-speed iMT (intelligent manual transmission), and electronically controlled full-time AWD is also installed, contributing to sporty driving.
LBX MORIZO RR
The car’s fundamental characteristics have also been thoroughly refined. A dedicated platform featuring light weight and high rigidity was developed to achieve both agility and power, and the front lower arm employs the world’s first Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS), which provides excellent control over a variety of road conditions. To achieve the quietness that is unique to Lexus, thorough measures were taken to suppress the sources of noise and vibration, even during sporty driving.
The upper body has been fitted with 469 short-pitch adhesives throughout the vehicle, and the structural adhesive has been applied over an extended area of approximately 12.8m, reducing vibration and providing a greater sense of unity with the vehicle. The lower back has been thickened, and a steering brace has been added to the underbody floor, along with a performance damper in the rear, resulting in excellent handling and ride comfort.
Many parts, including the bumpers and suspension, have been specially developed for this model. The exterior features special front and rear bumpers, 19-inch forged wheels, colored arch moldings, and colored rocker moldings, all of which emphasize a low center of gravity and a wide stance. The tires are Continental 235/45R19. The body dimensions are 4,190mm long, 1,840mm wide, 1,535mm high, and have a wheelbase of 2,580mm.
About the Lexus LBX MORIZO RR exterior
LBX MORIZO RR
The LBXMORIZO RR features a special bumper and 19-inch aluminum wheels to improve performance, and decorative elements such as a front chrome molding add a sporty touch. The brake calipers are red, evoking a sense of driving performance. If you select “Bespoke Build,” you can also choose special yellow calipers that evoke the MORIZO RR CONCEPT.
LBX MORIZO RR
Lexus LBX MORIZO RR interior
LBX MORIZO RR
The driving position has also been revised, lowering the hip point by a further 10mm from the HEV model, bringing the driver closer to the car’s center of gravity. In addition, the tread angle of the brake pedal has been adjusted to make it easier to apply force when operating the pedal, improving the sense of unity with the car.
LBX MORIZO RR
“Circuit Mode”: An extraordinary experience you can’t get on public roads
The car also features a circuit mode that uses GPS location detection to improve accelerator response and raise the upper speed limiter when the vehicle enters an available area such as a circuit at major domestic circuits.
LBX MORIZO RR
The Tazuna cockpit, designed to meet the driver’s needs, offers enhanced driving support features such as a 12.3-inch full LCD meter and a 9.8-inch infotainment system. The “Bespoke Build” system offers five lifestyle-focused concepts, and allows customers to choose interior colors, seat materials, embroidery patterns, and more from approximately 330,000 possible combinations to create a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
The luxuriously low seats are comfortable and undisturbed by outside noise thanks to high-quality sound-insulating lining, and the car is equipped with a Mark Levinson audio system, heated front seats, a digital inner mirror, a head-up display, ambient illumination, a wireless smartphone charger, and nanoe™ X technology. With the rear seats in use, the car boasts a capacity of 332 liters.
Lexus LBX MORIZO RR safety equipment
All vehicles come standard with the third-generation “Next Generation Lexus Safety System+.” It also features the advanced driving assistance technology “Lexus Teammate Advanced Park.” Laser radar and cameras are used to ensure excellent recognition performance and reliability, and the collision avoidance support systems PCS, LDA, and AHB are packaged together. It ensures collision avoidance and damage mitigation performance that is compatible even at high speeds. It also comes equipped with “Pre-Collision Safety,” which can detect bicycles during the day and pedestrians at night, and “Lane Tracing Assist (LTA),” which assists with steering operations necessary to keep the vehicle in its lane when “Radar Cruise Control,” which maintains a constant distance from the vehicle ahead, is activated. Software updates over the air (OTA) allow software updates to improve the performance of advanced safety equipment without the need to visit a dealership.
Lexus LBX MORIZO RR Main Equipment Changes
Exterior
- Front bumper and grille (black plated molding with exclusive yellow accents)
- Colored fender arch molding/rocker molding
- Door frame molding (black plated)
- Door belt molding (piano black)
- 19-inch special forged aluminum wheels (Super Gloss Black Metallic paint)
- Dedicated rear bumper
- Special red brake calipers
- Exclusive “MORIZO RR” badge
interior
- Exclusive sports seats with black and red stitching / MORIZO RR genuine leather seats
- Dedicated aluminum pedals
- Micro Geometric Pattern Film
- Exclusive MORIZO RR logo
LBX MORIZO RR “Bespoke Build” 100 units sold by lottery
One hundred LBX MORIZO RR “Bespoke Build” units will be sold by lottery, priced at 7.2 million yen. Applications for the lottery will be accepted at Lexus dealerships nationwide from Thursday, July 18th to Wednesday, July 31st, and winners will be contacted by the dealership. “Bespoke Build” also allows customers to choose their own car from a wide variety of options, including interior color, seat material, belt color, and stitching, as well as exclusive calipers in Morizo’s signature yellow color.
About the Lexus LBX MORIZO RR specs
| Specifications | Lexus LBX MORIZO RR |
|---|---|
| full length | 4,190mm |
| Overall width | 1,840mm |
| Overall height | 1,535mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580mm |
| engine | 1.6L inline 3-cylinder intercooler turbo G16E-GTS |
| Maximum power | 224kW (304PS) / 6,500rpm |
| Maximum torque | 400Nm (40.8kgf) / 3,250~4,600rpm |
transmission |
GR-DAT (8-speed AT) |
| Drive system | 4WD sports 4WD system “GR-FOUR” electronically controlled multi-plate clutch (3-mode selectable) |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people |
| tire | 235/45R19 |
Lexus “LBX MORIZO RR” Announcement
The LBX MORIZO RR CONCEPT was unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024. The car was introduced at the MORIZO Garage, which displays the beloved cars of Toyota Chairman and CEO Akio Toyoda (known as Morizo).
Although this car is called a “concept,” it is actually almost a production car. Toyota Motor Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, Akio Toyoda (Morizo), appeared as an “ordinary car-loving guy” and delivered a “New Year’s greeting from Morizo.” Six of his beloved cars were on display during the presentation, including the “LBX MORIZO RR CONCEPT.”
Also, during the “Car Roundtable” held during the event, a question was asked about the release, but Toyoda’s response was vague, merely saying “someday.”
What is particularly impressive in the video is the master driver, Chairman Toyoda Akio, also known as Morizo, who appears to be enjoying the drive.
A word from the editorial department
This high-performance LBX model is equipped with the same 1.6L inline 3-cylinder DOHC direct injection turbocharged engine found in the evolved GR Yaris, and there’s no doubt that it will be a completely different model from the regular LBX. Furthermore, by installing this engine in a luxury compact SUV, it is expected that even people who aren’t interested in the GR Yaris will be drawn to the high-performance LBX model. It ‘s sure to be an exciting car, with people wondering how it will drive. Even people who haven’t been interested in Japanese cars until now may find this car interesting. We’re really looking forward to the arrival of the new LBX.
Articles related to the new Lexus “LBX”
Toyota News Release
https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/lexus/39233145.html
https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/lexus/40022751.html
LBX MORIZO RR Catalog
https://lexus.jp/models/lbx/pdf/morizo_rr_catalog.pdf
LBX
Toyota News Release
