Since its launch in 1989, Lexus has proudly claimed its ability to challenge established boundaries with new concepts that have pushed the boundaries of luxury. The first generation RX, the LFA supercar, the push for hybrids... Toyota's premium signature car ownership experience has traditionally been underpinned by desirable and exciting products with high build quality and reliability, technologies cutting-edge mechanics focused on efficiency and sophisticated driving comfort.
Now, Lexus' long history of achievement is extended with the arrival of a new protagonist: the LBX. It is the smallest Lexus so far but which is a creditor, despite its contained size, of the founding values of the Japanese firm: luxury, sophistication and status. This model, which will arrive in 2024, is called to transform the future of the brand in Europe.
And it is that for the first time, the Old Continent has been the region of the world that champions the development of a new vehicle of the brand and where it will become one of the best sellers. As the new gateway to the brand's SUV range, the LBX is particularly geared towards a younger audience that has never considered buying a Lexus before.
LBX stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, a B-segment SUV that embraces contemporary ideas in design and technology, while maintaining distinctive qualities so typical of Japanese culture such as luxury craftsmanship and the concept of Omotenashi hospitality. Its dimensions do not compromise the quality and attention to detail that are the essence of Lexus, nor the expectations that customers place in a model with the "premium" label.
The styling of the LBX, with a vigorous and powerful image, establishes what will be a new Lexus identity, with a "Resolute Look" front design that reinterprets the famous double arrowhead grille. The continuous, frameless grille has been unified into a single trapezoidal shape, positioned under a narrow opening that underlines the leading edge of the bonnet from side to side, connecting its slender headlamps.
It also offers greater aerodynamic efficiency, which helps air flow over and around the sides of the vehicle. Redesigned headlamps create a powerful visual signature, with daytime running lights and turn signals integrated into bifunctional units. With this new arrangement, the distinctive L-shape of the lights now faces out rather than in, matching the direction of each indicator.
The rear of the vehicle also projects a strong image. The new version of Lexus' distinctive L-shaped light bar has greater visual impact, with dim illumination of the turn signals and reverse lights when not on. And in terms of color options, bright shades are included with two-tone finishes (contrasting black roof).
The intent of Lexus designers with the LBX has been to create a simple and refined interior that conveys the feel and ambience of a higher segment model. This effect is based on three key elements: good visibility, with a clear vision; a functional and fully digital instrument cluster, with a 12.3-inch screen mounted for the first time in a Lexus; and a center console with a commanding presence thanks to a large 9.8" multimedia screen tilted back to blend optimally into the cabin structure.
Premium quality and attention to detail are evident in the selection of upholstery and finishes, including the highest quality leather and non-animal-derived options. The boot offers up to 332 liters (on models with front-wheel drive), enough to carry two 75-litre suitcases up to the height of the folding rear shelf.
With the LBX, Lexus is also taking a new approach to range configuration, more tailored to customer preferences and lifestyles, allowing a choice of four 'styles' in addition to the base model: Elegant, Relax, Emotion and Cool, depending on whether a more elegant, relaxing, refined or dynamic character is desired.
The LBX is the first Lexus built on a version of the GA-B global small vehicle architecture platform. It has been fundamentally tuned to meet qualities such as a low center of gravity, wide track, short overhangs and very rigid bodywork. The aim was to offer agile handling that makes the most of the vehicle's compact size and light weight (1,280 kg).
Front and rear suspension systems give the LBX great agility and cornering stability, as well as quick and precise steering response with smooth ride comfort. All versions incorporate a MacPherson strut suspension design at the front; Front-wheel-drive models feature a rear torsion axle, while the all-wheel-drive LBX features a rear double-wishbone setup. In addition, the electronically controlled braking system includes vehicle brake posture control that automatically balances the distribution between forces and inertia to suppress pitching and deliver firm, linear braking.
As regards its propulsion, the LBX mounts a new generation self-recharging Lexus hybrid system, which has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that is light and compact. The maximum combined power of this new hybrid system is 136 PS (100 kW), with a torque of 185 Nm, managed through an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The components of the main hybrid system have undergone a substantial redesign to improve efficiency, as well as reduce friction losses, weight and size.
It is also equipped with a new high-power, low-resistance, bipolar nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery technology, which enables greater support for the electric motor under acceleration and extended electric-mode driveability. Driving is enhanced with Hybrid System Control, which fine-tunes engine sound and acceleration.
For its part, the Lexus E-Four all-wheel drive option introduces an additional electric motor on the rear axle. When starting, cornering and driving on low-grip surfaces, the system automatically distributes power to the rear wheels, helping to maintain vehicle stability.
