Kuala Lumpur 23rd July 2024 – The Lexus LBX (Lexus Breakthrough Crossover) is an entirely new addition to the Lexus family, set to replace the UX as the smallest model in their SUV and crossover range. Despite being an entry-level model, the LBX maintains the luxurious craftsmanship and Omotenashi hospitality that Lexus has been renowned for since its inception in 1989.

The significance of the three-letter designation is notable; previously, only the LFA supercar had this distinction. Just as the LFA showcased a different side of Lexus in terms of attitude and performance, the LBX aims to redefine what a small vehicle can offer, invigorating and broadening the brand’s reach and profile.

Kunihiko Endo, the Chief Engineer for the Lexus LBX, stated, “Our aim was to challenge the conventional concept of a luxury car. We have thoroughly pursued a driving experience that enables a natural dialogue between the driver and their vehicle and a design that has a refined presence.”

In the Malaysian market, the LBX is targeted at younger customers and those who may not have considered a Lexus before or are looking to downsize their vehicle. Two versions will be available: LBX Premium and LBX Luxury, both equipped with Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrains. Customers can choose from six standard exterior colors: Silver ME, Astro Gray, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper, Sonic Quartz, and Black MC. Additionally, three special colors with vivid shades - Red Spinel, Passionate Yellow, and Deep Azure (special order only) - are available. All colors feature bi-tone paintwork with a contrasting black roof, except for Black MC.

The rear pillars feature a subtly patterned film of stripes (LBX Luxury only), and the aero parts at the front (LBX Luxury only) and rear have silver accents that draw attention to the strong underbody. The ‘L’ logo has been replaced with the brand-unifying LEXUS wording for a modern, easily recognizable image. The number plate has been repositioned to the bumper, giving the LEXUS name on the rear door more prominence.

Aerodynamic efficiency is crucial, as it enhances fuel efficiency, driving stability, and comfort by reducing wind noise. The unified spindle and Resolute Look front design reduce front lift and manage airflow from the front bumper down the vehicle's sides. Optimized details such as flush belt moldings, precise profiling of the front bumper corners and rear bumper sides, and fin shapes on the rockers contribute to aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in a coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.34.

The LBX measures 4190 mm in length, 1825 mm in width, and 1550 mm (Premium) / 1560 mm (Luxury) in height, making it slightly smaller than the UX. It has a wheelbase of 2580 mm and a turning radius of 5.2 meters, making it ideal for urban driving. With 220 mm of ground clearance, the LBX is also suitable for off-road use. The LBX Premium features 17-inch wheels, while the LBX Luxury boasts 18-inch wheels, each with distinct designs and tire sizes.

The driver’s area features the Tazuna concept, first introduced on the NX, which focuses on direct yet intuitive control. This design concept positions principal controls and information sources around the driver, requiring minimal hand or eye movements. The steering wheel's position and angle are precisely calculated for a rewarding sense of control, with the steering wheel angle more upright and closer to the driver.

In the LBX Luxury, the Tazuna concept is enhanced with a new, 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display (7-inch for Premium), featured in a Lexus for the first time. The layout and prominence of the meters and data change according to the three drive modes. A head-up display is also available in the LBX Luxury.

Interior Design & Features

The interior of the LBX is simple yet refined, offering a premium quality and attention to detail that provides the feel and atmosphere of a higher-segment model. Ambient lighting, with 64 color options, enhances the Omotenashi effect, evoking different moods and highlighting various parts of the cabin with indirect illumination.

New Tsuyasumi charcoal trim ornamentation, created using a film technique with multiple layers, gives a highly textured appearance and a sense of depth, complementing the black theme with metallic and woodgrain film ornamentation. The seats are covered in black synthetic leather with a visually striking, highly saturated red elegance, giving a sporty signature.

The horizontal instrument panel has a clean and simple design, flowing into the door panels at each side, giving a sense of wrapping around the front seat occupants. This design helps the driver sense the degree of vehicle roll when driving through bends. The compact size of the LBX allows almost every part of the vehicle to be seen from the steering wheel. The contouring of the bonnet and the shape and position of the front pillars help reduce blind spots, providing an extended downward view for precise vehicle guidance.

The center console houses a 9.8-inch Multimedia Touchscreen integrated smoothly with the dashboard. This infotainment system offers extensive connectivity options, including Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wired Android Auto for smartphone integration. A route navigation system and Dynamic Voice Recognition for hands-free operation are also included.

For device charging, the cabin includes up to four 15W Type-C USB ports and two DC 12V power sockets. A wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones is provided at the front console area. The audio system for the LBX Premium features Lexus Premium Audio with six speakers, while the LBX Luxury offers the Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system with 13 speakers.

The air-conditioning system is designed for compactness, low weight, and efficient cooling performance, with a pollen/dust removal air filter and a nanoeX generator to eliminate odors and maintain air quality.

The rear seats accommodate three persons with a 60:40 division of the backrests for boot floor extension. The boot volume is 315 liters, expandable to 992 liters with the backrests folded down. A powered rear door and a folding tonneau cover are included for added convenience.

Platform & Architecture

The LBX is the first Lexus model to use the GA-B compact car global platform. With an extended wheelbase, short overhangs, and a wide track, the LBX offers greater stability and handling, providing a nimble driving experience and confidence-building control. The platform's low center of gravity enhances handling, while the driver’s hip point at 285 mm, similar to that of a sedan, allows for a more comfortable driving position.

Powertrain

The LBX features a new generation, self-charging Lexus hybrid electric powertrain with a new M15A-FXE 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. This hybrid system offers high efficiency and a level of driving pleasure not possible with previous hybrid systems. The engine, with world-class thermal efficiency, achieves a maximum output of 100 kW (136 hp) and peak torque of 185 Nm.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

The LBX comes with the Lexus Safety System + (LSS+), including standard active safety systems like Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Automatic High Beam (AHB). The LBX also features an advanced Digital Key system for seamless access and starting of the vehicle.

Body rigidity is enhanced with structural adhesives, numerous short-pitch welding points, and reinforcements in various areas. Lightweight parts, such as an aluminum bonnet and molded resin for the wheel arches, rockers, and lower door sections, help maintain a low center of gravity and improve fuel efficiency.

The suspension system, designed for steering response and turning ability, uses a MacPherson strut-type design at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. Vehicle Braking Posture Control dynamically suppresses pitching under braking and reduces roll when cornering, providing stable deceleration and increased driver confidence.

The Hybrid Control system harnesses increased electric motor and hybrid battery output for sharp response at start-off and continuous acceleration. The newly developed transaxle with an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) saves weight and space while delivering 17% higher output than conventional units. The electric motor is powered by a new low resistance, high output, bi-polar nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, installed beneath the rear seats to avoid loss of cabin or load space.

Availability and Price

The all-new LBX is set to be officially unveiled in Malaysia on July 23, 2024, with pre-orders opening on the same day. The LBX Premium and LBX Luxury models will be available at Lexus dealerships nationwide, with prices starting from RM238,888 and RM268,888 respectively.

For further details and to experience the Lexus LBX firsthand, visit the Lexus Malaysia website or your nearest Lexus dealership.

Exterior Design

Continuing the principles of the Lexus Next Chapter design used for the latest NX, RX, and RZ, the LBX showcases an evolved philosophy that expresses premium quality with a contemporary, casual appeal. This led to a rethinking of some of Lexus’s most familiar design elements.

The most notable change is the new frontal arrangement that “breaks” the spindle grille, a Lexus signature for the past decade. Although deconstructed to create a new front face identity, the vehicle remains instantly recognizable as a Lexus. The grille has been unified into a single trapezoid shape, positioned below a narrow aperture beneath the leading edge of the bonnet, linking the slim headlight units. This design draws on the heritage of the brand’s ‘Resolute Look’ introduced with the LF-S concept car of 2003.

The seamless, frameless grille contributes to the LBX’s strong, dynamic stance. The new headlight design, with integrated daytime running lights and turn indicators in bi-functional LED units, creates a strong visual signature. The distinctive L-shape of the lights now faces outwards, matching the direction of each indicator light.

The compactness of the LBX is evident in its side profile, with short overhangs front and rear. The large wheels and oversized fenders give a muscular image, emphasizing the crossover character of the model. The rear section, inspired by the Kagami-Mochi rice cakes, projects a strong stance with a balance of shapes reflected in the compact cabin positioned above a powerful underbody, indicating a low center of gravity and stable handling.