Lexus launches GR Yaris-engined LBX in Japan

Turbo'd Morizo RR was a concept in January - now it's already a production reality

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 18 July 2024 / Loading comments

Credit where due to Toyota, it’s really getting the most out of the GR Yaris investment. The car is back for a second generation, having blown all expectations out of the water first time around, the engine powers the GR Corolla that has North America all of a tizz, and now the amazing turbo triple G16E-GTS has made its way to the Lexus LBX.

First shown as a concept as recently as January, the LBX Morizo RR is now a production reality. In Japan for the moment, though given how much is shared with the Yaris - and the fondness over here for racy SUVs - there’s little reason why it couldn’t come to other markets as well. If the Yaris seemed a glorious throwback to the days of Japanese rally reps, then the LBX also seems to resurrect that other great tradition of wonderfully daft engines in unlikely places. There was a Nissan Stagea wagon with the RB26 straight six, a host of very boring non-Type R Civics with screaming VTECs, and now a small Lexus crossover thing with the world’s most powerful three-cylinder under the bonnet. Fantastic.

The LBX actually houses the most powerful variant yet of the 1.6, now churning out 304hp - more than 100hp per cylinder! - and 295lb ft, where the new Yaris is rated at 280hp and 288lb ft. (The Corolla was 300hp and 273lb ft.) It’ll be offered with the eight-speed auto or, quite remarkably for Lexus, the six-speed manual. Apparently the Morizo RR can reach 62mph in 5.2 seconds, presumably with the auto. 15mm wider and 10mm lower than a standard LBX, this one weighs 1,440kg with the six-speed or 1,470kg with the eight-speed.

This is more than just an engine swap, too. Lexus says that the LBX’s Response Enhancing Damping Structure on the front suspension arms is a world first, boosting both responsiveness (clue’s in the name, huh) and refinement (because this is still a Lexus). Indeed this RR, perhaps unexpectedly given the name, also boasts a range of measures ‘to suppress noise and vibration even during sporty driving.’ Odd.

That being said, any Toyota or Lexus with ‘Morizo’ on its boot gets input from Akio Toyoda, so there’s plenty to be excited by as well. There are 19-inch forged wheels, bigger brakes, improved cooling, and all-wheel drive to ‘enhance the sporty driving experience.’ Usually you’d take those claims with a pinch of salt when it comes to a car like this, though enough has already been achieved with similar cars that some enthusiasm is understandable.

Kunihiko Endo, Chief Engineer of the RR, said: “For the LBX MORIZO RR, our goal was to create a vehicle beloved by genuine car enthusiasts like Morizo. A driving companion that deeply engages with the sensory delights of sound and scent, ultimately bringing a smile to their faces. Developed extensively at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama and various circuits alongside professional driver Masahiro Sasaki, this car typically provides a relaxed, casual driving experience. Yet, when you press the accelerator for a spirited drive, it delivers performance that exceeds expectations. Stay tuned for this high-performance model that fosters enjoyable dialogue with the car, evoking smiles and an exhilarating sense of the extraordinary.” Sign us up for an exhilarating sense of the extraordinary right away.

The LBX is on sale in Japan now, with a lottery open for 100 units of the Bespoke Build model that allows additional personalisation. The standard one, however, would seem to be a regular series production model. Now’s the time to make the same true in the UK. Don’t pretend you’re not a bit intrigued by the 300hp, six-speed manual Lexus pocket rocket…