Lexus LBX Morizo RR debuts. A GR Yaris in upmarket attire?

Lexus LBX Morizo RR debuts. A GR Yaris in upmarket attire?

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‍At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Lexus showcased its new LBX Morizo RR, which combines luxury and performance as a hot hatch that draws inspiration and mechanical components from the highly acclaimed Toyota GR Yaris. ‍

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At that time, the LBX Morizo RR was a concept, and very little information was made available, including that it would slot just below the UX crossover variant. However, Lexus has finally decided to put it into production, and as far as first impressions are concerned, it is poised to redefine standards in both performance and compact luxury. 

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Developed alongside master driver Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo (hence the car’s name), Lexus plans to avail only 100 units for the Japanese market, which will be available through a lottery. According to Lexus, the lottery applications can be submitted at its dealerships within Japan, and winners will be notified accordingly. 

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It’s powered by the same 1.6-litre 3-cylinder unit codenamed G16E-GTS, which also powers the GR Yaris and GR Corolla models. In this application, the engine has been massaged to deliver 224kW and 400Nm to match the power figures of the GR Corolla. It’s paired either with an 8-speed automatic gearbox or a 6-speed manual transmission that drives all four wheels via the brand’s AWD system. 

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Lexus quotes a 5.2-second sprint from 0-100km/h (same as the GR Corolla), which makes the LBX Morizo RR slightly quicker off the line compared to the GR Yaris with an official quoted time of 5.5 seconds. 

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In the looks department, the RR presents as a hot hatch of note, courtesy of exclusive front and rear bumpers, 19-inch forged wheels, coloured arch mouldings, and coloured rocker mouldings. The interior, on the other hand, is fitted with dedicated sports seats, aluminium pedals, and interior accents. 

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Customers who wish to customise their allocation can do so by using the Bespoke Build ordering system, which offers a selection of options such as interior colours, seat materials, belt colours, stitching, and brake callipers that are finished in Morizo's signature yellow. 

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The Lexus LBX Morizo RR will more than likely never reach our shores, but its appeal as an intriguing forbidden fruit is unmistakable, with a sporty essence that seamlessly blends with Lexus’s signature refinement.

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