New Lexus models rollin’ out, but which will we get to see in Singapore.
On 5 June 2023, Lexus is set to roll out the LBX to the world in Milan, Italy. We don’t know much about it, so here are some educated guesses based on publicly-available information.
Back in 2019, Autocar.uk reported that Lexus was looking to compete in the entry-level segment by introducing a model that would sit below the UX and replace the ageing CT. Given that this new model will be called LBX, we can guess that the letter ‘B’ in its model name could imply that it might be based on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform, which also forms the basis of the Toyota Yaris Cross.
This is further reinforced by the ‘X’ at the end of its name, which suggests that, in the same vein as the UX, NX, RX, GX and LX, it may likely be a crossover/SUV. The teaser image below certainly seems to suggest so.
The ‘X’ in LBX also suggests that this will not be a pure electric vehicle (EV) since those, like the RZ, end with a ‘Z’ instead. Instead, the LBX will most likely be relying on an internal combustion engine that would probably be mated to a hybrid system.
However, unlike the UX, NX, RX, GX and LX SUVs, and the IS, ES and LS sedans, all of which only have two alphabets forming their model names, the LBX has three, which suggests that this could be the start of an entirely new line-up in Lexus’ stable. Time will tell. We don’t know yet if there are plans to bring the LBX to Singapore.
Speaking of GX, Lexus is also set to unveil its third-generation GX460 in Austin, Texas on 8 June 2023. Based on the TNGA-F platform that the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado use, the GX sits between the RX and LX in Lexus’ SUV range.
As expected, this GX will continue Lexus’ off-roady SUV tradition, but with suitable upmarket Lexus touches both on the outside and inside. Expect the new GX to be a boxy-looking SUV though.
More to come when both the LBX and GX have been unveiled.
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