Lexus LBX with Yaris GR engine, good idea

At the last Tokyo Motor Show, there was a Lexus stand you could call a chip on steroids. In this case, the Lexus LBX, which is ultimately a Toyota Yaris Cross in official clothing. It’s the same platform, and it’s also the same as the Yaris.

From there to thinking about transplanting the supercharged Yaris GR engine, there was only one step, which was taken by the Lexus LBX Morizo ​​RR Concept. Morizo ​​​​is the nickname of Akio Toyoda, the enthusiastic boss who brought Toyota back to the field of cool and fun cars. Rumor has it that this concept was developed for him, and that he uses it every day.

“next year”

In a promotional video published in early 2024 (but probably filmed in 2023), we see Akio Toyoda having a great time at the Fuji circuit, behind the wheel of his LBX, and says that the model will be launched “next year”.

From the end of 2024, or the beginning of 2025, so we will see this small Lexus, 4.19 m long, in the dealerships, with a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbo, which will send 300 hp and 400 Nm to all four wheels. , through a direct gearbox. The question is, will the distribution be as limited as that of the Toyota Yaris GR? Answer in a few months.