GR Yaris-engine LBX Morizo RR revealed as Lexus’ first hot SUV

Unveiled as its smallest model below the UX just over 12 months ago, Lexus has used the LBX as a platform for its dedicated first performance SUV in the shape of the LBX Morizo RR.

Shown at the beginning of this year as a concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Morizo RR takes its designation from the racing alias of Lexus parent company Toyota’s Chairman and former President, Akio Toyoda, although it remains unknown as to what RR references given its common denominator of rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive.

Hardcore suit

Little changed from the concept, the production Morizo RR rides on the same TNGA-B platform as the standard LBX, itself spun-off of the European-market Toyota Yaris Cross, albeit with a 15 mm increase in width and 10 mm reduction in overall height as the sole dimensional changes.

Externally, the Morizo RR’s difference requires no second glance as apart from the GR Yaris-inspired 19-inch alloy wheels, Lexus has slightly lowered the overall ride height and fitted a new damper system called Response Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS).

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A first for any Toyota or Lexus product, the system takes prominence on the front suspension arms with the aim of improving dampening and performance, without impacting the ride, according to Lexus.

Along with a redesigned front bumper and side vents said to help with cooling, Lexus has replaced the black cladding on the wings with colour-coded items and the Spindle Grille with a chrome F Sport-inspired design.

At the rear, the bumper has been reshaped with vertical faux inlets on either side, while the exhaust outlets now move to either side as opposed to “hiding” behind the imitation vents of the standard model.

Inside, the changes are subtler but still easy to spot in the guise of alloy pedals, sport seats with Alcantara inserts and red stitching, and a series of colours and material options only 100 units will be privy to as part of what Lexus calls the Bespoke Build customisation programme that also involves yellow brake calipers.

GR heart

Taking biggest prominence is the LBX Morizo RR’s powertrain. Hinted by the alloy wheels, the regular LBX’s hybrid powerplant makes way for the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine used in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

Producing the same 224kW/400Nm, the unit, in another LBX first, comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the option being the new eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission that premiered on the facelift GR Yaris at the beginning of the year.

The usage of the transmission and engine means the LBX Morizo RR utilises the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system instead of the standard-issue E-Four, the claimed top speed wasn’t disclosed, though 0-100 km/h, seemingly regardless of the ‘box, takes 5.2 seconds.

Nowhere but Japan

Going on-sale in August priced from ¥6 500 000 (R753 871) with the Bespoke Build priced at ¥7 200 000 (R835 058), the LBX Morizo RR has been reserved exclusively for Japan and as such, won’t be offered in any other market.

In standard guise, the LBX equally remains an unknown entity for the local market after Lexus South Africa confirmed to The Citizen last year that “it cannot confirm at this stage whether or not the LBX will be introduced locally”.

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