- A 2025 report from Japan’s Mag-X reported that Lexus was working on a high performance RX Morizo RR with 600 horsepower
- New spy shots from the Nurburging have emerged showing a high performance RX prototype
- This RX mule has a freer flowing dual exhaust, larger wheels, brembo brakes, aggressive performance tires, front air vents, and much more
A year ago, this report surfaced suggesting that Lexus was working on a high performance RX that could be called “Morizo RR,” similar to the GR Corolla-inspired LBX Morizo RR. Based on a series of spy shots from the Nurburgring this morning, that report might be more “reality” than “rumor.”
Those thinking about high performance RXs might reference the RX 500h F SPORT Performance, but there are several key differences that indicate this RX is an even higher performance variant.
Front
Starting at the front of this prototype, the camouflage covers some of the details but certainly not all. Visible are two air inlets on either side of the lower half of the grille, similar to the grille design and air flow on Lexus F models. It seems whatever is under the hood of this RX needs air – and lots of it.
The air inlets on either side of the bumper also appear to have intercoolers placed in each opening, another indication that this RX has much higher performance intentions. Both the front and rear also have wider fender flares to accommodate more aggressive tires and wheels, fitting for a high performance model.
Rear
Where the RX 500h has a rear bumper without visible exhaust tips, this RX is not trying to be subtle: A dual exhaust with wide tips has been fabricated into the rear end. The implementation of the dual exhaust would be different on a production model as it appears the base car for this prototype was an RX F SPORT with the exhaust added purely for testing.
Tires, Wheels, and Brakes
While the exterior design of this prototype leaves us guessing about what exactly Lexus has in store, the tires, wheels, and brakes leave no questions at all: Lexus means business with performance here. Michelin Pilot Sport SUV tires are fitted over lightweight Ray’s wheels. The front tire size is 265/40ZR 21 while the rear is 295/35ZR 21, both of which are major increases in grip and performance over the RX 500h’s 235/50R 21 standard tires.
Huge Brembo brakes and slotted rotors are fitted at all four corners giving this RX significant stopping power, perhaps more so than any Lexus SUV before it.
What else do we know?
As of the publication of this article, no videos exist of this prototype allowing us to hear the exhaust note or potential induction noise, and we don’t know what could power this new high performance RX. The report released by Mag-X a year ago referenced a four cylinder engine with high power electric motors front and rear for a combined 600 horsepower.
Toyota is about to release a new family of turbocharged four cylinder engines and the pace of battery advancement is increasing for both size, power density, and packaging. While a 600 horsepower RX might have seemed far-fetched in recent memory, it’s clearly a vehicle Lexus is contemplating bringing to market.
This prototype has all of the right running gear to prove that a high performance RX could be very possible: Revised aero, additional cooling and air flow, free flowing dual exhaust, large performance tires, lightweight wheels, and massive Brembo brakes.
Is the world ready for an RX that could be even more powerful than the mighty LFA?
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