FAB UK Magazine had the exclusive opportunity to attend the highly anticipated launch event of the groundbreaking Lexus LBX, a luxury crossover, in the vibrant city of Milan. The event was graced by distinguished personalities such as Takashi Watanabe, the esteemed President of Lexus International, and Simon Humphries, the visionary Head of Design for both Lexus and Toyota. Milan, renowned as the capital of fashion and design, was the perfect backdrop for this momentous occasion.
Lexus, already known for its forward-thinking and avant-garde approach, presents a self-charging hybrid electric vehicle as the brand’s smallest SUV model. Still, it certainly has stature. This historic vehicle breaks traditional notions of luxury, offering a revolutionary European brand experience.
The name LBX stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, representing a compact SUV that expands the brand’s appeal into new market territory. Combining contemporary design and state-of-the-art technology, the LBX is an affordable and useful vehicle for everyday use, without compromising on quality or attention to detail. It encapsulates the essence of Lexus in a smaller package, exceeding customer expectations of what a premium compact SUV can deliver.
One of the distinguishing features of the LBX is the freedom it offers in terms of design and specifications. For this, in addition to the original version, Lexus created four different atmospheres for the interior design: Elegant, Relax, Emotion and Cool. However, the game-changer is in the “LBX Bespoke Build”, which allows owners to customize their vehicles down to the smallest detail. From the choice of seat material, seat belt, seat stitching and door embroidery to the coloured seat area, this level of customization is normally reserved for luxury cars. Still, the brand successfully brought it to this exceptional model.
Underneath its striking exterior, the LBX is built on a variation of the GA-B global small car architecture platform. This gives the car a low center of gravity, wide tracks, short overhangs and a highly rigid body. The result is a fun-to-drive character that embodies the “Lexus Driving Signature”, offering confidence, control and comfort.
Powering the LBX is a new generation Lexus Hybrid Drive, featuring a compact and lightweight 1.5 liter three-cylinder engine. The hybrid system has undergone a significant redesign, increasing efficiency, reducing weight and delivering more rewarding performance. With peak power of 134bhp/100kW and peak torque of 185Nm, the LBX delivers instant, powerful acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency. For added stability and confidence, the LBX is available with Lexus’ E-Four all-wheel drive system, which automatically distributes drive power to the rear wheels when needed.
With ambitious targets set for the European market, the brand has its sights set on selling at least 25,000 cars in 2024 in Europe; however, only a select few will have the privilege of owning the original LBX edition, limited to less than 1,000 units. After its highly anticipated global debut, the LBX is set to commence production in the latter part of 2023. Exciting news for UK customers as bookings will open in July this year, with orders being accepted in October once pricing is confirmed. Mark your calendars, as the first wave of LBX vehicle deliveries is scheduled for March 2024, promising a thrilling experience for those eagerly awaiting its arrival.
By Even Grazielly Escocio