LBX MORIZO RR CONCEPT unveiled at Osaka Auto Messe 2024

Osaka Auto Messe (OAM) 2024 was held at Intex Osaka from 10-12 February 2024, and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing booth featured the “MORIZO Garage” showcasing the favourite vehicles of Chairman Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo, with the LBX MORIZO RR CONCEPT on display as the actual car.

Armed with the GR Yaris’ 1.6-liter turbo and full-time AWD

The vehicle is based on the Lexus LBX compact crossover SUV, which was unveiled in November 2023. While retaining the high-quality driving and refined design typical of Lexus, the LBX is a high-performance model that allows drivers to enjoy interacting with the car, smile involuntarily and experience extraordinary exuberance.

While the regular LBX is equipped with a state-of-the-art hybrid system that combines a 1.5-litre in-line three-cylinder engine with a transaxle that integrates the gear train and motor and a bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery, this model is equipped with the G16E-, which is also used in the GR Yaris. GTS-type in-line three-cylinder 1.6-litre intercooled turbocharged engine (target output value 304 hp/400 Nm).

The transmission is the same as the GR-DAT, an eight-speed AT newly added to the evolutionary GR Yaris, and the model is sublimated to deliver a heart-pounding ride with full-time AWD.

It is also noteworthy that the body, suspension, tyres and AWD control have been specially designed to match this, and the bumper shape has been designed to evoke high aerodynamic performance and driving performance using technology cultivated in air racing.

The embodiment of casual luxury for weekend driving

The powertrain of this car is almost the same as that of the evolutionary GR Yaris, but as a model bearing the Lexus brand, the ride quality is sporty and high quality, giving it a different character from the evolutionary GR Yaris, as expected. The car has a different character from the evolutionary GR Yaris, which is to be expected.

Because the car on display this time is Mr Morizo’s favourite car, the chrome front unified spindle mouldings, brake callipers and seatbelts are decorated in his signature colour yellow, just like the sneakers he’s used to wearing and wanting to ride in on weekends. The car has been customised to embody casual luxury, and what’s more, it is planned to go on sale in this style.

Many people are interested in the LBX, which was introduced as a classless compact that changed the concept of luxury cars, and which also adds classless dynamic performance, so we eagerly await the official announcement of this model.

translated by DeepL