Friday 12th January 2024

Lexus inserts GR Yaris engine into concept LBX

Then launches a double spoiler bodykit for the RZ450e. Welcome back to fun, Lexus

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It’s always fun when Lexus cuts loose a bit, because the results tend to be very memorable indeed. This is the manufacturer who made both the insipid CT200h and one of the 21st century’s greatest supercars simultaneously; it transformed a GS into a ripsnorting muscle car; and somehow there remains a 5.0-litre GT car from the future at the top of the current range. Lexus tends to be bland - apart from those moments when it goes completely wild. We like it for that, very much indeed. 

It’s revealed two new SUVs at Tokyo, which wouldn’t normally be cause for much excitement. However, they’re notable because one of them is powered by the GR Yaris turbo triple (complete with the new eight-speed auto) and one looks like it’s driven straight from the set of Tokyo Drift. One is confirmed for production, the other looks eminently viable. 

The RZ450e F Sport Performance is the car that’s on sale in Japan only from today; there will be just 100 made, with the lucky few selected via lottery. The FSP takes the RZ Sport Concept seen at last year’s show and makes it a reality, a car that ‘pursues the driving experience and fun of customisation unique to BEVs.’ The manifestation of that might not be to all tastes, but we can surely all get behind the sentiment. 

In total 17 bespoke aero parts were made for the RZ450e F Sport Performance, most in carbon - including that incredibly mad double rear wing arrangement. But it’s for go as well as show, as Lexus worked with plane racer Yoshihide Muroya and Masahiro Sasaki (who races cars) to get the aero balance right. More downforce, predictably enough, is claimed. The aluminium wheels are 21-inch diameter, and it sits lower on ‘specially tuned’ springs and dampers. This is 55mm longer and 70mm wider than standard. And just as a reminder, Lexus really is putting it into production. 

All 100 cars will be painted in ‘Hakugin’, a colour said to be inspired by ‘the silent silver world of light and shadow’; there are blue accents inside and out. The 100 customers who get an F Sport Performance will also be invited on the ‘Lexus Electrified Journey’, a kind of road trip involving lots of EV-friendly stops. Never change, Lexus. 

Especially if it means the LBX Morizo RR Concept can make production as well. You know something good is cooking when the Lexus concept car looks significantly toned down against the limited-run production model. And if the LBX looks like a dead cert for production, even down to the muted colour scheme, then it sounds absolutely ready to roll as well. Lexus isn’t suggesting that this is powered by a fuel cell or fairy dust - it’s shoved the GR Yaris engine in. It’s even aiming for a bit more power, at 304hp and 295lb ft. Which would give a Puma ST something to think about. 

The keen will remember that Morizo is the racing alter ego of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, who has been prominent in the project. The stated aim was to ‘retain the high-quality driving performance and sophisticated design that is unique to Lexus, while creating a high-performance model that would allow the driver to enjoy interacting with the car, smile spontaneously, and experience a sense of extraordinary exhilaration.’ And who wouldn’t want one of those? Especially as Lexus (and Toyota) has a recent history of making great cars from seemingly quite ordinary ones. 

Yellow is Toyoda’s signature colour, so the LBX Morizo RR Concept gets it for the grille, calipers and seatbelts. Additional upgrades include huge brakes (apparently 18-inch/457mm at the front, behind 19-inch wheels, which seems a bit OTT), a new bodykit to improve aero performance, and revisions to the suspension and all-wheel drive. Everything that would be changed, basically, for a fully-fledged production version. And if Lexus can make a business case for 100 RZ450es that look like the F Sport Performance, then a production Morizo must be a no-brainer.  

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• New GR Yaris revealed with 280hp
• Lexus and the Holy Grail | PH Footnote

[Bencolem]

Grey one looks decent (for a compact SUV). White one looks terrible.

[andy43]

PH said:

somehow there remains a 5.0-litre GT car from the future at the top of the current range

Nope, not in the UK as of the tail end of last year. Doesn’t meet Euro tick boxes

[Twinair]

No bus for ages, then 2 come along together…! Joy..!

[Vocht]

I would buy an LBX tomorrow if they brought that here. Mega little car that would be.

[romac]

The standard new LBX self charging hybrid is available for pre-order in the UK already. I think it is a luxury cousin of the Yaris Cross. Should be quite interesting.

As for this version - sounds mental! Wonder if it still an SCH? Suspect not.

[Wab1974uk]

What's this supposed to rival? A Nissan Duke?

[Yahonza]

I like all of these and would still like to see the WRC 1 drivetrain in something though.

[fuchsiasteve]

I wish Lexus would out source the design to Ferrari or Alfa Romeo then put their engineering behind the project. They would be unstoppable.

These 2 latest cars might be great to drive but like 99% of Lexus cars they are just plain f’ugly!

[nismo48]

Twinair said:

No bus for ages, then 2 come along together…! Joy..!

[skedaddle]

There's a video out in which Morizo suggests the LBX with the GR Yaris engine will be sold "next year".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrSaS6wWw_w

Personally I would love a LBX with the GR engine.

[Firebobby]

Well thanks for that write up! They're only making 100 and they're not bring any to the UK! About as much use as t**s on tortoise!!!