Lexus Seems to be Working on a High-Performance Morizo RX

• A prototype shows an RX fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tires, large exhaust tips, Brembo brakes, and wider fenders.

• Earlier reports suggested a high-performance RX could have up to 600 horsepower.

• The Morizo nameplate is associated with the highest performance tier of Toyota and Lexus models.

While Lexus hadn’t really competed in the high-performance SUV segment until now, this could change soon with a new version of the RX.

Indeed, a prototype spotted testing on the Nürburgring by the Lexus Enthusiast website shows that the company is working on a new version of the RX that is much more serious about its performance credentials than the current top-of-the-line RX 500h F Sport.

Visually, the main differences seem to be the wheels and tires, as the prototype is fitted with black 15-spoke alloy wheels that look similar to those that come on the GR Corolla hot hatch.

These wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport SUV tires that should be much grippier than the ones found on the regular RX 500h, especially since the prototype has a staggered tire setup, with a 265/40ZR21 dimension up front and 295/35ZR21 at the rear.

Just behind those wheels stand eye-catching red Brembo brake rotors that clamp on large slotted brake disks.

To house the wider wheel and tire package, the prototype also features extended fenders, which help give it a meatier look from all sides.

At the rear, the prototype also features a serious-looking exhaust system with two round tips, but this could change on a potential production version, as the rear bumper was clearly butchered to accommodate this experimental setup.

Since the regular RX doesn’t feature visible exhaust tips, even in its sportiest version, this would likely be another way in which the high-performance model would stand out.

Up front, the prototype wears camouflage to hide the finer points of its detail, but we can still clearly see additional air intakes on either side of the spindle grille.

These crudely fabricated square intakes seem to funnel air to either the brakes or possibly to an intercooler, again suggesting a level of performance never achieved by the typically quite placid Lexus RX.

Few details are known about the actual performance of this prototype, but earlier reports from Japan pointed to an engine output of about 600 horsepower, which could help this model compete with vehicles such as the upcoming Audi RS Q5 and the next generation of the BMW X5 M.

Instead of dropping a large combustion-powered engine into the RX’s engine bay, Lexus is likely to fit a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with upgraded electric motors.

This means the most powerful RX could share its powertrain configuration with the RX 500h, which generates 366 horsepower thanks to its turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors.

Despite this similar architecture, the components themselves could be unrelated, as Toyota is working on a new family of turbocharged four-cylinder engines to be used in high-performance models, along with continued progress on the development of hybrid and electric powertrains.

While a production version of this RX prototype remains unnamed, it could earn the Morizo nameplate reserved for Toyota and Lexus’ most extreme performance vehicles.

The same Japanese report that highlighted the possible 600 horsepower figure also believed an upcoming high-performance RX would be called the “RX Morizo RR”, which would fit in with the subcompact LBX Morizo RR crossover that is available in Japan.

More details on a possible high-performance Lexus RX could be released over the coming months.

Source: LexusEnthusiast.com