Lexus has launched the LBX Morizo RR, the most powerful variant of its city crossover, now available for orders in Japan. With a robust three-cylinder 1.6 turbo engine delivering 305 horsepower and a 4×4 drive, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds.
Customers can choose between an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. Built on a new platform, this model features a modified suspension and brakes, as well as sporty driving modes. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation and rally racer under the pseudonym Morizo, actively contributed to the development of this high-performance vehicle.
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The LBX Morizo RR is the pinnacle of the Lexus LBX lineup, designed to combine sporty handling with Lexus’s renowned luxury. The new platform has been reinforced and widened to accommodate rear-wheel drive components and a modified suspension system. The G16E-GTS engine has been upgraded with lighter components and a larger turbocharger, producing 305 HP at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm. It features an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox with steering wheel paddles and a six-speed manual option with intelligent iMT control.
The electronically controlled 4×4 system adapts to road conditions and driving styles, ensuring optimal traction with a 50:50 power distribution on slippery surfaces. Torsen differentials at both the front and rear enhance acceleration and handling. A special Circuit mode, utilizing GPS data, optimizes the car’s settings for track performance, improving turbo response, engine cooling, and gear changes.
The LBX Morizo RR’s structure is exceptionally rigid, with 469 laser welding points and 12.8 meters of structural adhesives. The vehicle is 10 mm lower than its hybrid counterpart, with a lowered driver’s hip point and adjusted pedal angles for better control. The front suspension struts incorporate Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS) technology, while the rear features double wishbones. The braking system includes ventilated discs with two-piston calipers at the front for the automatic version, and ventilated discs on both axles for the manual version.
Aerodynamically, the LBX Morizo RR has been fine-tuned in collaboration with the Lexus Pathfinder Air Racing team to improve airflow, reduce turbulence, and enhance stability. The vehicle also features solutions to minimize noise and vibrations, staying true to Lexus’s philosophy.
Aesthetically, the LBX Morizo RR boasts a sporty and aggressive look. It features redesigned front bumpers and grille, 19-inch forged aluminum rims, red brake calipers, body-colored wheel arches, and a distinctive rear bumper with dual exhaust tips. The car is available in black or four two-tone body colors with a contrasting black roof. The interior is outfitted with sports seats with red stitching, aluminum pedals, and a 12.3-inch digital display with motorsport-inspired graphics.
In Japan, the LBX Morizo RR is available for order, with the first deliveries expected by the end of August. Additionally, a limited edition LBX Morizo RR Bespoke Build will be available through a lottery, allowing winners to personalize their vehicle with unique features such as yellow brake calipers and custom interior materials and colors. Unfortunately, this model will not be available in the Polish market.
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