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Japanese luxury carmaker Lexus has revealed the LBX SUV. The Lexus LBX is the smallest SUV in the firm’s lineup and features a hybrid powertrain.
The Lexus LBX is based on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform that also underpins the Yaris Cross sold in European markets. The new Lexus LBX is 4,190mm long, 1,825mm wide and 1,560mm tall. The wheelbase of the Lexus LBX is 2,580mm long.
Powering the all-new Lexus LBX is a parallel hybrid system. This setup includes a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a balancer shaft for greater refinement and a single electric motor.
The new Lexus LBX’s hybrid powertrain produces 134bhp and 185Nm of peak torque which is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. The FWD LBX, thanks to its e-motor, sprints from 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The LBX’s e-motor draws power from a new bi-polar nickel metal hydride (NIMH) battery pack that can charge and discharge faster than a conventional NIMH battery. Lexus is also working on an all-wheel-drive version of the LBX which will add another motor on the rear axle.
The new Lexus LBX features the latest interpretation of the firm’s spindle grille. The front bumper features a large mesh section while a trim piece sitting under the bonnet links the headlights together.
The sides of the all-new LBX feature flared wheelarches that host either 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 tyres. Also seen on the sides is a chrome strip that runs across the A-Pillar through to where the C-Pillar meets the roof-mounted spoiler.
At the rear, other than the spoiler, the big design highlight is the full-width lightbar-style LED taillight that sits atop a raised section of the boot lid. Underneath the taillights, you can find the Lexus name spelt out with the LBX name sitting lower to the right. Like the front bumper, the one at the rear also sports chrome trim near its edges.
