Fascination: Lexus LBX with a difference
When Morizo dreams
Lexus LBX Morizo RR
© press-inform – the press office
Toyota was once a boring brand. For decades, Corolla, Camry, Yaris and Prius stood for anything but dynamism and emotions. But Akio Toyoda, now chairman of the Japanese giant’s supervisory board, breathed new life into the automaker. It’s not just about entire series, but also fun things like the small Lexus LBX Morizo RR.
In itself, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is anything but a spectacular car. A compact SUV, admittedly nice to look at, which is powered by a 1.6 liter three-cylinder, but which still produces an impressive 224 kW / 305 hp. There is also the Morizo RR, named after the nickname of the former Toyota CEO “Morizo” isn’t even available to buy, at least not yet. This is a near-series study that will soon become reality. A step that has already been successfully achieved with models such as the Yaris GR, the GR 86 and the Supra. All three are real sports cars with manageable dimensions, low weight and a lot of driving fun without being pure horsepower. Years ago, when BMW was planning the current Z4 and the expected quantities were too small for series production, the then Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda jumped to the side of the struggling Bavarians. Toyota took part in the sporty project with the Supra – produced by Magna in Graz. Toyoda and ex-BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer had gotten along well for a long time. When BMW seniors visited the particularly efficient production methods in Toyota’s Japanese plants years ago, the two top managers immediately liked each other. Since then, Toyota and BMW have been cooperating in the field of fuel cells, but also in production methods or sports projects such as the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4.
At the Tokyo Auto Salon, which received little international attention, Toyota presented the Lexus LBX Morizo RR, a concept study that could soon go into series production. Technically, the 4.19 meter long LBX is closely related to the Toyota Yaris Cross, which also runs on the variable GA-B platform. Visually, however, the two sister models have no significant similarities and the Lexus looks more of a piece than its long-legged counterpart from Toyota. It is 6.5 centimeters wider and almost five centimeters lower than the Yaris Cross with almost the same length. While the normal Lexus LBX is powered by a moderately dynamic hybrid drive, things are completely different with the Morizo sports study. Instead of a 1.5-liter three-cylinder with a narrow 67 kW / 91 hp, which is supported by an electric motor with 69 kW / 94 hp at the front and 4 kW / 6 hp at the rear and offers a total output of 100 kW / 136 hp the Morizo fun-maker to the fullest.
There is no hybrid power or even a complete electric drive, but rather an impressively dynamic 224 kW / 305 hp that a turbocharger produces from a 1.6 liter three-cylinder. The bottom line is an impressive 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm maximum torque. The engine power, which is generous for a small SUV, is not uncompromisingly trimmed for efficiency via a tired CVT system like in the standard model, but is distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. So that the sportiness doesn’t just exist on paper, the LBX has been completely retuned. Details such as steering, transmission, body, chassis (McPherson at the front, double wishbone at the rear) and tires in the 235/45 R 19 format, together with optimized aerodynamics, are intended to ensure driving dynamics. The entire package offers a significantly low center of gravity thanks to the wider track and the modified sports suspension. Inside and outside there are yellow color elements in the spindle radiator grille, brake calipers and seat belts. One can only hope that the Lexus LBX Morizo RR also becomes a reality in Europe. And for those who want something a little tamer: the series model of the normal LBX will be available from April at prices starting at just under 33,000 euros.