We had a sneaking suspicion that the standard Lexus LBX was just a little too much fun in the corners for the Morizo RR – revealed at Autosalon in January – not to become a reality.
And that proves to be true, with Lexus confirming an Australian release of the GR Corolla-powered luxury compact SUV for the first half of 2025.
Visually the Morizo RR stands out with a bespoke front bumper and massive grille. There are functional aero flics at the front and fins on the rear bumper to reduce turbulence.
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A pair of large exhaust pipes is the final hint that this is no normal LBX hybrid.
Armed with the 'G16E-GTS' 1.6-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder and the GR Yaris' torque splitting all-wheel-drive system, the LBX can hit 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
The engine develops 206kW/390Nm in LBX Morizo RR guise – that's around 15kW less than the latest GR Corolla and Yaris.
An eight-speed automatic is available, as in the Yaris but for the first time ever, a Lexus is now offered with a six-speed manual transmission – though it won't come to Australia.
Lexus offers the Morizo RR with a torsen limited-slip rear differential for keener drivers.
Along with the powertrain swap, Lexus has stiffened the front and rear end of the LBX Morizo RR and retained the double wishbone independent rear suspension.
For the front struts, 'Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS)' use resin in the front lower control arms, enhancing stiffness and steering response, says Lexus.
The Morizo RR sits 25mm lower overall and 15mm wider, 10mm of that drop comes from lower springs and the rest from lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in 235mm wide tyres.
Braking is taken care of by red four piston front calipers clamping 356mm ventilated rotors; a single-piston sliding caliper is found at the back.
Inside, the driving position is lowered by 10mm thanks to sports seats with red stitching. For luxury, there's a leather-wrapped steering wheel with dimpled grips and 12.3-inch display with bespoke graphics.
Active sound helps the exhaust and engine sound make it into the cabin but this is still very much a Lexus, meaning a lot of attention has been paid to NVH suppression, says the brand.
The Morizo RR's weight climbs 70kg to 1485kg, making it chunkier than a Yaris but no different to the GR Corolla.
The Morizo name references Toyota Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda, whose nickname is Morizo. The LBX was his baby and, as a keen driver, he wanted a headline act for the little SUV.
Lexus says the LBX is due in Australia in the first half of next year, following Japan's market launch in April. Final pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to release.
The current LBX Sports Luxury front-wheel drive is $56,990 before on-road costs. Don't expect to get much change out of $70,000 for the Morizo RR.
That would put it still below many key hotted-up luxury small SUVs such as the Audi RS Q3, BMW X2 M35i and Mercedes-AMG GLA45. Expect plenty of cross-shopping with the Volkswagen T-Roc R and Cupra Formentor, too.
Lexus Australia notes the LBX Morizo RR is a limited special edition but it's unclear how many are earmarked for our market.
Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Pappas said: “The LBX Morizo RR is a game-changer Lexus in so far that it encapsulates the exhilarating to drive qualities of the LFA supercar into an everyday compact luxury car."
“It shows our passion for cars and builds excitement around our brand,” he added.
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