‘Entry level’ to luxury market
Lexus is gearing up for its all-new LBX to touch down in New Zealand early next year.
The marque says it offers customers an accessible path to owning a luxury vehicle –being positioned below the UX SUV, it serves as an entry-level option into the range.
To achieve a Lexus experience within a crossover frame, the marque’s GA-B compact class platform underwent a comprehensive renewal, accompanied by refinements in electrification technology and core engineering characteristics.
Andrew David, vice-president of Lexus NZ, says the LBX embodies a “premium casual” approach to the crossover market.
“This design philosophy establishes a presence and level of refinement that far exceeds its class,” he explains. “The mission was to develop a compact crossover appealing to customers with sophisticated taste, seamlessly integrating into their everyday lives as a casual essential.
The new LBX, which stands for “Lexus Breakthrough X(cross)-over”, has a cockpit design rooted in the “tazuna concept”, which elevates the marque’s “human-centred philosophy to a new level”.
The centre display features a touch-enabled 9.8-inch screen, with a range of functions integrated into the display through intuitive soft switches.
With a focus on intuitive operation and frequency of use for each function, attention has been placed on the size, shape, layout and display information to ensure optimal placement.
A large 12.3-inch full LCD is used for the meter display on two of the grades and improved instrument panel visibility creates a space conducive to driving.
The LBX offers a highly efficient 1.5-litre inline three-cylinder hybrid engine, a compact and lightweight transaxle with enhanced motor output, and high-output NiMH hybrid battery.
Battery and motor assistance in response to accelerator input has been enhanced, resulting in minimal delay and a quick motor-like acceleration feel.
The synchronisation of engine speed, vehicle speed and engine sound during acceleration results in a “smooth and linear driving experience”. The hybrid-electric system is controlled to optimise efficiency for “outstanding” fuel economy.
The LBX is scheduled for delivery to New Zealand in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to account for about 15 per cent of the company’s sales.
