Lexus LBX is a city-friendly, Toyota-based crossover for Europe

Developed primarily for the European market, the Lexus LBX lands on the very backside of the corporate’s world vary. It is a city-friendly crossover that is primarily based on the Toyota Yaris Cross, a crossover not bought on our shores, and that comes normal with a hybrid powertrain.

At 164.9 inches lengthy, 71.8 inches broad and 60.8 inches tall, the LBX is the smallest member of the Lexus vary. For context, the smallest Lexus crossover presently bought in the US is the UX, which measures 177 inches lengthy, 72.4 inches broad and about 60 inches tall. Even the CT, the little hatchback that retired from our market after the 2017 mannequin 12 months, stretched about 6.4 inches longer than the LBX.

European-sized, the LBX — a reputation that stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover — ought to carry a brand new, youthful set of patrons into the model’s showrooms. It options vaguely Yaris Cross-like proportions however it wears a glance of its personal that is characterised by angular headlights, a toned-down rendition of the acquainted spindle grille, a light-weight bar that stretches throughout the again finish and an obtainable two-tone roof panel.

“Now we have ‘deconstructed’ the spindle grille to make means for a brand new design. We have succeeded in creating a brand new entrance face id that is utterly completely different from earlier than but is immediately recognizable as a Lexus,” defined Koichi Suga, the overall supervisor of Lexus Design.

Inside, the LBX provides a refreshingly easy format with a wrap-around dashboard, an obtainable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.8-inch touchscreen for the Lexus Hyperlink Join infotainment system. The record of normal and non-obligatory options contains leather-based upholstery, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a digital key that the proprietor can share with one other driver, and a Mark Levinson sound system.

Energy comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hybride (NiMH) battery pack, and two motor-generator items. The system’s complete output checks in at 136 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque, and it spins the entrance wheels by way of a constantly variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is out there at an additional price, and patrons who pay for it get an additional electrical motor that zaps the rear wheels into movement. We’re advised that the engineers tuned the powertrain for “pleasurable efficiency” and that the LBX is able to driving on electrical energy alone for brief distances, although full specs aren’t obtainable but.

The sheet metallic hides the modular GA-B platform, which additionally underpins a number of of Toyota’s smallest fashions (such because the aforementioned Yaris Cross and the Europe-only Aygo X). Lexus notes that it “essentially adjusted” the structure to fulfill its necessities, nevertheless.

Lexus sellers throughout Europe will start receiving the LBX in early 2024, and executives anticipate the crossover will develop into one of many firm’s best-sellers throughout the pond. Pricing data hasn’t been launched. Autoblog discovered from a Lexus spokesperson that the LBX is not going to be bought in the US.

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