This is it, Lexus first ever B-segment vehicle, the Lexus LBX. Prior to this, the smallest segment that Lexus has ever played in was the C-segment, first with the hybrid-exclusive Lexus CT hatchback and more recently the Lexus UX SUV. Built on the new GA-B platform (Lexus version of TNGA-B), the Lexus LBX will go on sale sometime in Q4 2023.
The new Lexus LBX measures 4,190 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,560 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,580 mm. It is 305 mm shorter han the Lexus UX that is 4,495 mm long. It’s also 15 mm narrower than the UX, but curiously it seems to be 20 mm taller than the Lexus UX that is 1,540 mm tall. There’s a choice of two alloy wheel designs, a 17 inch wrapped with 225/60R17 tyres and 18 inch with 225/55R18 tyres.
Based on press material, it appears that the new LBX will be available exclusively as a hybrid, and will be available in both front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions. Under the hood is a hybrid system based on a 3-cylinder 1.5 litre engine producing 134hp and 185 Nm. Powering the hybrid system is a NiMH battery, an all-new bi-polar unit with reduced weight and a more compact design. The choice to continue with NiMH is curious as even the DNGA Yaris Cross is now using lithium ion.
To adapt the TNGA B platform for Lexus use, techniques such as short-pitch spot welding and expanded use of structural adhesives were implemented in the appropriate areas. Additionally, the structural adhesives in areas closer to the occupants were strategically replaced with high-dampening adhesive, thereby reducing vibration in the high-frequency ranges. This significant reduction contributes to improved driving stability, ride comfort, and substantial reduction in NVH levels.
Various measures were implemented around the engine, such as optimised placement of engine mounts to minimise shock during startup, incorporating a balance shaft with the engine to dampen low RPM floor vibrations, and adding a resonator to the air cleaner hose to diminish intake noise.
For the exhaust system, a flexible pipe has been added to reduce vibration from the engine, and the main muffler capacity has been increased to lower exhaust noise. Furthermore, by adding an additional sound- absorption layer to the two-layer inner dash silencer and creating a three-layer structure, the thickness and density of the layers are optimized, thereby enhancing the sound absorption and insulation performance.
Vibration is efficiently suppressed without the use of heavy materials by incorporating a high-dampening type of mastic sealer for a portion of the roof panel, resulting in a quieter cabin when driving or in the rain, as well as a lower center of gravity due to weight reduction.
In addition to joint rigidity, focus was also placed on peripheral rigidity in key areas. The cowl structure connecting the front suspension towers was reworked to enhance rigidity at the load-bearing points. Reinforcement of the instrument panel structure boosted both steering column and instrument panel reinforcement rigidity. This resulted in exceptional steering response while decreasing unwanted vibrations transmitted through the steering system.
A lightweight construction and exceptional rigidity was achieved through strategic placement of the roof reinforcement to reduce the overall thickness of the roof panel. Additionally, the use of aluminum for the hood and 2.0 GPa grade hot-stamped material for the center pillar, as well as 1.8 GPa grade hot-stamped material for the front bumper reinforcement, contribute to a high level of safety performance. The optimization of inertial characteristics, including the lowering of the center of gravity further enhances handling stability.
The front suspension features a newly developed MacPherson strut suspension with updated suspension geometry. The large caster angle ensures excellent straight-line stability, suppresses toe-in changes during body roll, and minimizes understeer. This results in solid and confident linear control over vehicle posture during cornering.
A highly rigid forged aluminum knuckle is employed for the front suspension knuckle to reduce unsprung weight. In addition, the newly developed input-separation type upper support with three-point attachment contributes to both linear steering response and refined ride comfort.
Front wheel drive versions of the LBX use a lightweight and rigid torsion beam, while AWD models use a trailing arm type 2-link double-wishbone suspension that houses the rear hybrid motor. The newly developed shock absorbers use quick reacting sliding components to ensure dampening force at very low speeds, as well as a high level of both maneuverability and ride comfort.
Premium brands very rarely go smaller than C-segment, so it’s interesting to see how Lexus will fare with the LBX. At the moment we only have the Audi A1/Q1/Q2 and various models from MINI as its competitors.
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- 2023.03.28
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the 1.5EV has eqv performance to 2.0EV of the CT200h.
bring it on with the 1.5EV.
Compared to CT-200h,
This 1.5EV accelerates faster, and better cocooning with modern Lexus Bespoke build, Exceptional level of quietness with a focus on sound and vibration suppression at the source.
The Lexus Bespoke Build, is a personalized ordering system allowing customers to select interior colors, seat materials, embroidery patterns, and more, enabling them to create their unique vehicle from approximately 330,000 potential combinations, on the basis of 5 design themes that better fit the lifestyles and preferences of a wide range of customers.
That’s truly a glorified-Toyota
1.5EV is 3-cylinder(!). Better bring a reliable 1.8 engine with 4-cylinder.
Toyota will slowly retire the 1.8 hybrid in favor of the 1.5 hybrid. Because there is no 1.8L in the new Dynamic Force Engine line-up. Expect 1.5L, 2.0L, 2.5L, 2.4L Turbo and 3.5L twin-turbo in their DFE range
Watch UMW botch this for MY market by only selling the FWD version, no Mark Levison system, one trim option, midget 17” wheels, over here.
I’m still angry with them for not bringing the 2.5 AWD Hybrid Harrier here (likely to protect NX line).
I’m a fan of small compact cars and this is actually very nice, I WOULD!
The car looks good. They finally take a softer approach to their bold spindle grille design.
another china car
it’s a new Generation of EV Hybrid.
Lexus claim >50% of the time, it is running with Pure Electric, in Town Driving .
Lexus Breakthrough Crossover = LBX
Driving EV, backed by Petrol, without spare battery.
“>50% of the time, it is running with Pure Electric, in Town Driving”
And the electricity for the battery comes out of nowhere? Those who believe this obviously missed the physics class.
Malaysia Electric Source Majority comes from Coal and Natural Gas, more than 2/3, in fact more than 80%!.
I am trying to learn ‘physic’.
rechargeable battery car is using 80% of it’s energy source from Coal and Natural Gas, and prime energy source is the Sun.
Wahlau this is shorter than a Mini Clubman. Also with that 1.5l engine is there enough oomph for the AWD version with its added weight?
Lexus is the best luxury car brand in my opinion
Omg lexus please bring this here!! Take my moneyhhhh
148k anyone?
Huh huh, 3 cylinder again… Ready for long period in workshop..
I am having my pretty Kenari and it’s still running good.
Great 3 cylinder, over-engineered piece for mass market.
3 cylinder especially for 1.5L engine is the sweet spot for power and fuel efficiency, that is why a lot of other manufacturers are moving towards the same direction. Mainly due to lesser moving parts and lesser contact surface to reduce friction. There is a technical reason behind this, you may google it yourselves.
Current 3-cylinder engines that are 1.5L and above
1) BMW/Mini B38 1.5 Turbo
2) Geely/Proton/Volvo 1.5TGDI
3) Toyota 1.5 DFE and 1.6 Turbo G16E-GTS in GR Yaris
4) Nissan 1.5 Turbo KR Engine
5) Ford 1.5 Turbo Dragon engine
6) Koenigsegg Gemera 2L 3-cylinder TFG twin-turbo
7) Range Rover 1.5L Turbo Ingenium engine
want a mini countryman that is reliable and not look cheap like mercidis GLA no Class, this is it
Actually I would expect this to be under Toyota brand name cause looks like the Yaris GR’s brother.
As they use an 3-cyl. engine similiary to that in the Axia, using the Perodua brand would make more sense.
Indeed, it is based on Yaris Cross, but with special underpining by Lexus with little extra long wheelbase compare to its cousin.
As much as I am a fan of Toyota and Lexus, but I don’t think this is a good strategy.
Lexus should just let Toyota to take care of the B-segment market and focus on C-segment and beyond. The UX really need a reboot.
Audi tried to challenge the Mini with its A1 and Q2, and they failed miserably. Audi even gonna discontinue the Q2.
Mercedes don’t even bother to compete in this segment.
According to other automotive journalist, it is part of their strategy to approch younger generation who never own a Lexus due to budget constraint to consider this model with inital lower cost of ownership..
What is luxury automobile these days?
Anything would be considered luxury if you put the right emblem on any car and sell it for upscale segmen. In this case, it is a Lexus. It wont be considered luxury if you put hyundai or fiat emblem on any subcompact car and sell it at hefty price. Even tesla not considered luxury in western counterpart due to its garbage quality product.
shape cam Mazda CX3 sket… nway get ready to pay north of RM150K
please dont compare with the junk
TNGA B vs DNGA based on quality and cost?
Why Toyota always behaving like this.
It is a push product not a pull product.
Put some turbo, if so stingy to put 2.0T, then “borrow” 1.5T from BMW since both companies collaborated on the new Supra.
If Merc can come up with A250 (don’t have to mention A45) or even BMW can came up with 135i, then why can’t Toyota/Lexus give us on par if not similar.
Personally exterior design is the best compared to BMW and Merc. Interior BMW and this car both are the best. Not liking the new Merc interior, too much touch screen and almost no physical button.
Lexus/Toyota please read this.
And do not forget to put small size turbo on your next Altis, we want something to compete with the Civic.
There are a lot more buyers who don’t want a turbo that adds more complexity. I am one of them and I had a turbo before. I am more appreciative of a simpler NA engine now.
Toyota won’t suddenly change their engine line-up to become turbo after listening to a few person, because there are still a lot more conservative buyers who prefer simpler, reliability and lower running cost. And that market is huge.
For those who prefer Turbo, there is always Civic, and the Germans, so please go there. Toyota and Mazda have proven that NA can be as efficient or even more efficient in fuel economy than turbo. You don’t need turbo to make excuses like fuel efficiency.
nice car but they really need to change the fugly logo
I’m looking for B-seg xover & within a tight budget, was considering Mazda CX-3,CX-30 but their safety features are sub-standard for the sub 140K variants.
LBX ticks all the boxes for me but the real question is how much do they want to sell it in bolehland?
Or X50 is my only option.
LBX for 140k? nahhhhhh you might be dreaming here buddy. I think the price will start at 200k.. Look at UX alone, it starts at 250k
for sub 140k and you prioritize safety. Here are available options :
Proton X50 Flagship
Honda HR-V RS & Turbo
Corolla Cross Hybrid & NA
Peugeot 2008 (No ACC though)
Subaru XV
Toyota CH-R (Get a recond one for better spec)
Or you want to be experimental go with Chinese car like Omoda 5, Haval Jolion etc
if you want to topup a bit Mazda CX-30 High Plus spec (RM155K) is a very good choice as well equipped with full ADAS suite. CX-3 is a no go – its an old model already.
Like I said..best value for money right now-the X50, other’s dont’ offer level 2 driver assists at this price. Guess I’ll have scrap the idea of owning a brand new Lexus then :( , if only miracles exist.
101% agreed with you. I have the same thought. A flagship X50 at RM113k is super cheap to get with all that latest features + design and all. It’s better than spending another RM20k or more to get the same segment from another brand. Of course, some of it may not be the best but it’s like paying RM2k to get a iPhone 15 Pro Max that kind of feeling. So far, I can’t find any that can change my mind to replace X50.
Minimum 200k, at that point, might as well get a CX5 or a used Lexus IS