Lexus has taken the wraps off its latest creation – the LBX. Now, don’t get confused with the ‘L’ in the mix because, in truth, it’ll slot below the UX crossover. In other words, the LBX is the Japanese firm’s new entry-level HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Unfortunately, not everything has been unveiled yet. But enough is out in the open to understand what can be expected when this crossover goes on sale.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the Lexus LBX is an upmarket version of the Euro-spec Toyota Yaris Cross. However, the former features a modified GA-B platform to better suit the brand’s profile. The LBX measures 4.19 metres in length, 1.825 metres in width and 1.56 metres in height, with a wheelbase that stretches 2.58 metres. And depending on the market, it’ll be sold with front- and all-wheel drive setups.
It doesn’t matter which variant one settles for; the only transmission option will be a CVT. That’ll harness the output from a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. That setup will output 134hp/185Nm, enough for a claimed 0-100kmph sprint time of 9.2 seconds. The all-wheel-drive derivatives, however, will pack an additional motor at the rear axle. Power, torque and performance figures for that configuration haven’t been shared.
The FWD versions will feature MacPherson strut suspension at the front and make do with a torsion beam setup at the rear. In AWD variants, Lexus will use double wishbones at the back. Other features that have been confirmed include a 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 64-colour ambient lighting. And like all Lexus models, the LBX will be sold with a host of safety and assistance systems.
Lexus will launch the LBX in various markets worldwide, starting with Europe and then Japan. That process will commence in the last quarter of 2023.
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in News
3
