New Lexus LBX small SUV gets a debut date

KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, has recently teased a new SUV for the European market. Dubbed as the Lexus LBX, the new SUV will make its global debut on June 5, 2023.

The upcoming LBX is said to be the smallest Lexus car ever as it is reportedly based on the Toyota GA-B platform, which underpins several Toyota models, including the Yaris, Yaris Cross, and Aygo X offered in international markets. For size reference, the Toyota sibling measures 4,180 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width, and 1,560 mm in height.

The new Lexus SUV will slot below the UX crossover in the brand’s lineup and is likely to be a production iteration of the sub-UX model, which was one of the brand’s fleet of concepts displayed in December 2021.

So far, Lexus has dropped a few teaser images of the upcoming vehicle displaying its partial front fascia and rear lighting signature. Talking about the former, the LBX features a chunky profile with a short bonnet and aggressive LED headlamps, which are connected via a chrome bar. The SUV gets a honeycomb pattern intake on the front bumper rather than the brand’s signature spindle grille.

The dark shot of the SUV’s rear profile only reveals its full-width LED tail lights while the rest of the design remains invisible.

No information is yet available on the upcoming Lexus LBX mechanicals. However, it is expected to borrow the 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid mill from the Yaris and Yaris Cross. 

The said mill combines a 1.5 VVT-i naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with two front-wheel drive electric motors (the AWD-i version comprises three electric motors). Together, the system churns out a maximum power of 116 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm. The fuel efficiency of the mill is rated as low as 3.3 litres per 100 km (approx 30 kmpl).

More information on the upcoming Lexus LBX is expected to roll out closer to its debut, which is a couple of weeks away. So sit tight.

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