Developed alongside Master Driver Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation (AKA Morizo) the high-performance Lexus LBX MORIZO RR is making its way to New Zealand.
Racing and testing cars under his nom de plume Morizo, means Mr Toyoda can talk more freely and can be a driver who simply loves cars and racing. The RR in the nameplate refers to Rookie Racing.
“Morizo is a person who loves cars, not only Toyota and Lexus but all cars. Morizo is fun,” says Akio Toyoda.
Lexus says fun is what the LBX MORIZO RR is all about. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre, inline three-cylinder engine that delivers 206kW and 390Nm, driving all four wheels through an electronically controlled system and a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission. All key elements of the car have been honed for performance, including the body, suspension, brakes and tyres, claims Lexus. To optimise aerodynamics, the development team applied technologies developed in collaboration with Lexus Pathfinder Air Racing.
The LBX MORIZO RR is Akio Toyoda’s personal car. One for the weekend. One for the sheer delight of driving, which he does often, including runs at his favourite Fuji Speedway, until the fuel tank runs dry.
“The LBX MORIZO RR is kind of a casual luxury, the car is as comfortable as my sneakers,” he says. “People think that big is luxury and small is economical. But that is not true. To me, smaller cars are more fun to drive. This LBX is a special edition with more high performance. The 1.6L inline-three intercooled turbo engine delivers exhilarating torque and power. Fun to drive is not just about driving, it is the sound, the smell, all the ingredients.”
Lexus New Zealand Vice President Andrew Davis says the development aim for the LBX MORIZO RR was to create a ‘partner’ that could provide a thrilling out of the ordinary experience and bring a smile to the face of the true enthusiast, someone like Morizo.
“LBX MORIZO RR is a compact luxury car for casual driving, but when a car enthusiast decides to enjoy some spirited driving, the car is capable of delivering dynamic performance that does not disappoint,” adds Andrew.
Andrew says Lexus has always been committed to crafting vehicles filled with excitement and exceptional performance coupled with distinctive Lexus refinement that customers find truly exhilarating.
“I look forward to our customers feeling the joy and thrill of driving the LBX MORIZO RR,” adds Andrew.
He says the result of the development work and hands-on involvement of Morizo and professional driver Masahiro Sasaki at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama, is a car that embodies a sense of casual luxury and has the reassuring, rewarding quality of a trusted driving partner.
Arriving in New Zealand later this year, the Lexus LBX MORIZO RR will bear a close relationship to the recently introduced hybrid LBX but will feature a completely different powertrain and many unique styling features.
Andrew says that while not part of the recent push to electrify most Lexus models, the Morizo has a small displacement 1.6L engine. Overall sales of Lexus in New Zealand are now 82% electrified models.
As well as the three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the car features an electronically controlled full time All-Wheel Drive system which optimises torque distribution between the front and rear wheels based on driving conditions. Front and rear Torsen Limited Slip Differentials further enhance the AWD system’s performance.
Wider than the hybrid LBX by 15mm, the MORIZO RR edition has extended body coloured wheel arches housing 19-inch Super Gloss Black Metallic alloy wheels. The MORIZO RR is also slightly lower and the driver’s hip point has been lowered 10mm to create a greater sense of unity with the car, says Lexus.
A dedicated platform was implemented to achieve a balance between agility and power. Body rigidity has also been significantly increased, with an additional 469 spot welds and the use of underbody bracing, a rear performance damper and an additional 12.8m of structural adhesive.
To maximize performance during sports driving, the Direct Shift-8AT transmission was incorporated to enable smooth and exhilarating acceleration while pursuing an emotional sound.
Andrew says that the Lexus attention to imaginative technology included having some fun in developing the engine and exhaust sound, which responds to the driver’s operation and adds a greater sense of excitement.
Inside, the LBX MORIZO RR features Semi-Aniline Leather and Ultrasuede accented sports seats, aluminium sports pedals and coloured wheel arch and Piano black lower door mouldings on the exterior. Other interior features comprise the latest 13 speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, a 12.3-inch digital meter, head-up display, and a 9.8-inch touchscreen display.
LBX MORIZO RR buyers will have the choice of four two-tone exterior colours including White Nova, Cobalt, Emotional Red and Sonic Shade, all with an Ebony black painted roof. Graphite Black is also available as a single tone. All have a MORIZO RR rear badge, red brake callipers, and exterior and interior styling that is unique to the LBX MORIZO RR.
Deliveries to customers in New Zealand are expected to commence from February 2025, and customers are encouraged to register their interest with their local Lexus dealership. The hybrid LBX, which is available in three moods, has been selling well since its launch in April this year with more than 120 units now in the hands of delighted Lexus customers.
LBX MORIZO RR pricing will be announced closer to the local launch.
Find more information at the Lexus New Zealand website.
