Lexus launches GR Yaris-powered LBX Morizo RR

If you want the performance of a rally-bred all-wheel-drive turbocharged hatchback combined with luxury, then it’s your lucky day – Lexus has made it happen.

Toyota’s luxury arm has announced they will start production of the new Lexus LBX Morizo RR. And yes, the Morizo name says it all – it’s going to be a high-performance model. It basically carries over the characteristics of the concept that debuted back in January’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

The Lexus LBX Morizo RR is a premium subcompact crossover with all-wheel-drive, and 300 horsepower on tap thanks to the GR-Four drivetrain of the high-performance GR Yaris.

On the outside, the LBX Morizo RR sits lower than the standard model and sports a more aggressive set of bumpers, wider fenders, and rolls on a set of forged 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45R19 tires. Much like the GR Yaris, the LBX Morizo RR has a MacPherson strut front suspension and a double wishbone setup on the rear.

Inside, Lexus created a sportier cabin from the “Premium Casual” design concept, installing dedicated sports seats, aluminum pedals, and a touch of suede with red contrast stitching.

As mentioned earlier, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR packs the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder borrowed from the GR Yaris. It produces 304 PS at 6500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 3250 to 4600 rpm. Much like Toyota’s rally hatchback, the LBX Morizo RR is available with a choice of a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission and an 8-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission that sends power on all four wheels through an electronic control full-time all-wheel-drive system.

Lexus says the LBX Morizo RR can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds, with a curb weight of 1440 kg for the 6MT version, and 1470 kg for the 8AT version.

The Japanese market also gets a limited “Bespoke Build” version where they can choose interior colors, seat materials, belt colors, and stitching from a wide range of options, including brake calipers painted in Morizo’s signature yellow color. This particular version is only limited to 100 units and will be available in Japan through a lottery system.

For now, Japan gets the first dibs on the Lexus LBX Morizo RR with units planned for release in late August, but they did not exactly say that the model is reserved for the Japanese market only.  Hopefully, it stays that way. Fingers crossed.