Lexus New Mini SUV - LBX

Further proof that Lexus is getting rid of spindle grill. It was decidedly going away with the release of the new 2023 RX which no longer has the top part and just has a grill below the hood. The top picture has the original concept, LF-SA, and the bottom is the new rendering.

Partial translation:
"
Lexus LF-SA Concept (Geneva Motor Show 15)

The unnamed (unpublished) new SUV is said to be the commercial version of the LF-SA announced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and the GA-B similar to the Toyota Yaris. Adopt a platform. It can be said that it is a Lexus version of the Yaris Cross, but it is rumored that the total length will be slightly larger than the Yaris Cross's 4180mm.

It's the design that worries me. The number of doors, which was 2 in the concept, has been reduced to 4. Overall, it seems to be a compact SUV that emphasizes practicality, rather than a sharp coupe SUV with a complex surface configuration like the Toyota C-HR. The front mask is also expected to be a new face based on the latest Lexus design language, which was shown in the EV concept group announced at the end of 2021, instead of a huge spindle grill.

Expected CG of Lexus' new mini SUV that seems to be about to be announced"

Article: https://response.jp/article/2023/01/19/366542.html

edited to replace broken links with pictures

 

Somewhat of a similarity, wheels on the very edges.

 

More info from bestcarweb.jp about the BX. They don't call it the BX but they offered up a picture and probable size.

レクサス 新型TXにヤリスクロスサイズのSUV登場か!? 今年もレクサスはSUVで勝負に - 自動車情報誌「ベストカー」

Partial translation (dual info about the upcoming TX as well).
"Lexus' new entry model is a mini SUV Lexus compact SUV (scheduled for spring 2023)

Lexus compact SUV (scheduled to appear in spring 2023). It is a new SUV that will be a new entry model for Lexus, and is expected to be a compact size with a total length of 4000 mm (Image is a predicted CG by the best car)
　Currently, Lexus has a lineup of C-segment SUV UX as an entry model, but plans to introduce an even more compact SUV in the spring of 2023. It is a commercial model of the ultra-compact class concept car "LF-SA" that was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

　Lexus is aiming for a full-line SUV, and this new SUV has an intermediate length between the Toyota brand A-segment SUV Aygo X (Cross) and the B-segment Yaris Cross, which was announced in Europe in April 2022. It will appear in the 4000mm class.

　There is information that it is a Lexus version of the Yaris Cross, but its concept and size are the best match not only for Europe but also for the Japanese market where compact SUVs are popular. Aygo X is exclusive to Europe, but this Lexus compact SUV will also be launched in Japan.

　The basic components are developed based on the popular GA-B platform for Yaris and others. As for the power unit, the Aygo X is equipped with a 1L 3-cylinder engine, but the Lexus compact SUV has a 1.5L hybrid. In the future, it is likely that there will also be an EV specification lineup."

My take: 4000mm (157.5 inches) is tiny, about a hair bigger than the Prius C but still smaller than the BMW i3. I highly doubt it will hang onto the spindle grill. They might also grab the the 1.6L 3 cylinder turbo like in the GR Yaris and hybridize it for an F Sport Performance or stick to the 1.5L 3 cylinder THS II system from the Yaris Cross. AWD for the hybrid and FWD for a possible PHEV? Maybe if it creeps up to around Yaris Cross size 4180 mm (164.6 inches) which also comes in AWD. If it does go PHEV it is another target for the Prius Prime PHEV battery. If it does go EV too, it'll be a tiny EV as it sounds like they'll be targeting Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe doesn't have the EV infrastructure issue like the US. Weird as it might seem they might go back to around 54.4 kWh battery like in their original UX 300e which is exactly 4 times bigger than the 2023 Prius Prime 13.6 kWh battery. Odds are, the EV will not be air cooled like the older UX 300e 54.3 kWh battery but liquid cooled like the 72.8 kWh battery found in the 2023 UX 300e. The original 54.3 kWh battery for the UX 300e was good for 315 km (195.7 miles) of range on the WLTP.

 

More information from car--moby.jp about the upcoming Lexus BX. Apparently, the Toyota Iwate plant makes the C-HR and will stop producing it late July 2023. In it's place they'll start making the Lexus BX.
レクサス最小モデル『BX』が今夏以降に生産開始？C-HR生産終えるトヨタ岩手工場で | MOBY [モビー]

Partial translation:
"A "Lexus car" that uses the same GA-B platform as Yaris?

According to information sent to the MOBY editorial department by readers, the Iwate factory, which will end production of the C-HR in late July 2023, is already preparing to produce a new model.

In addition to the C-HR, the Iwate factory produces the Yaris, Aqua, and Yaris Cross, and all models other than the C-HR use TNGA's GA-B, the smallest platform for compact models. to be a GA-B adopted car.

It is thought that the aim is to increase production efficiency by unifying the platform of the models produced at the Iwate Plant, but Toyota's lineup of compact models is already sufficient, so adding a new compact model here is considered. It seems that it is inefficient on the sales side.

However, according to the information received this time, the next model to be produced at the Iwate plant was said to be a new addition to the Lexus lineup, not Toyota.

Crossover style compact hatchback smaller than UX

Currently, the smallest entry model in the Lexus lineup is the crossover SUV " UX", which uses the same "GA-C" as Corolla and Prius.

If the model for Lexus newly produced by the Iwate factory adopts the same GA-B as Yaris and Aqua, it is considered to be a new entry model with a body size that is more affordable and easier to handle than the UX.

By the way, at the "Battery EV strategy briefing" held on December 14, 2021, Toyota released an image showing the model that will debut from the Lexus brand in the future.

In this image, in addition to the new RX, the new NX, and the new UX, which were already known to appear at that time, there are also models whose information has not been revealed. There is also a silhouette of a compact hatchback model that is more crossover style than the new UX.

Combined with the information received this time that the Iwate Plant will produce a GA-B adopted model for the Lexus brand, this model depicted in the image released at the "Battery EV Strategy Briefing" is a new model at the Iwate Plant. thought that it corresponds to the model produced in .

Will it appear after the summer of 2023 as the new Lexus "BX"?

In addition, Toyota has filed an application for the trademark "LBX" with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Regarding the LBX trademark, which can be identified in the European Union Intellectual Property Office application number "018284385", the "L" stands for the Lexus brand, the "B" for the B segment, and the "X". It was thought that there was a high possibility that the "Lexus BX" would appear, indicating that it was a crossover model.

At present, there is no model with this name in the Lexus lineup, but if it is a GA-B adopted model for the Lexus brand produced by the Iwate Plant, it is a crossover style model for the B segment of Lexus. Points match .

The crossover-style compact hatchback model that Toyota announced as a model to debut from the Lexus brand at the "Battery EV Strategy Briefing" will be produced after the summer of 2023 as Lexus' new entry model "BX".
"

It looks suspiciously like the older CT. Also note the fuel door on the drivers side in the rear quarter panel like every Toyota gasser, HEV, and PHEV. My guess is it'll appear as an HEV and PHEV, not a BEV.