The RX may finally shake its boring crossover SUV and for good.Lexus appears to be mustering up the courage to finally go after the BMW X5 M and company. New spy shots recently surfaced of what appears to be an extra spicy version of the carmaker's best-selling crossover SUV undergoing testing.But while the test mule spotting isn't abnormal, it's the prototypes details that tell all. And they show that it isn't just any plain Jane Lexus RX undergoing preproduction testing.Is Lexus finally preparing to take on BMW M and Mercedes-AMG?It's exceedingly rare for automakers to leave an unreleased high-performance model unattended in an open courtyard. A noticeably lowered RX that looks ready to pick a fight with the fastest haulers from Germany, the Morizo RR is anything but your usual suburban luxury cruiser. pic.twitter.com/HMoSSM3wjc— autoevolution (@autoevolution) August 28, 2026In the spy shots, the images clearly show a partially-wrapped current-generation Lexus RX crossover SUV. One can distinctly see the fifth-gen model's obvious sheetmetal, complete even with the production variant's eye-catching Copper Crest metallic paint.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut it's in the exterior details that the differences really matter. For instance, one can visibly see significantly sportier and more aggressive bodywork.The Lexus RX may finally just shake its boring crossover image in the near future. - Credit: Chris ChinFrom the gaping intake grilles on the front fascia with lowering effects. To the extended side skirts, and the sportier rear bumper with enlarged dual exhaust tips.To even the larger, sportier multi-spoke wheels, the enlarged brakes with the glaring red-painted calipers, and the cross-drilled and vented high-performance rotors.It's clearly unlike any other RX ever made. Especially cranked up to this caliber.Lexus made sporty-ish versions of its RX crossover in the past, but not like this apparent new model. - Credit: Chris ChinSo, what exactly is it? Word on the street says Lexus is gearing up to produce a high-performance version of the RX. It'll apparently becalled the RX Morizo RR Performance Edition.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd if that name rings any bells, it's the same sort of treatment Toyota recently gave to its already hot GR Yaris hatchback to make it even hotter.Shaking its boring car imageLexus slowly started injecting more excitement into its best-selling SUV over the past decade. - Credit: Chris ChinYou might think, 'oh great, another crossover SUV.' But actually, this is a major moment for Lexus.Once it reaches production, this supposed RX Morizo RR Performance Edition will mark the second time Lexus ever took a serious crack at competing against the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. The first was the original Lexus IS F performance sedan, which the company introduced back in 2010 as its answer to the BMW M3.Engineers are apparently spicing up the RX500h's hybrid powertrain to the tune of over 600 horses. - Credit: Chris ChinMoreover, the spicy RX will be Lexus' first true attempt at taking on the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE and the Audi SQ5. Which, is a big first, considering the RX's nearly 30-year production run and never before has Lexus tried to dip its toes into the performance CUV category.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd because the RX always marched to the beat of its own drum, basking in its success as America's best-selling luxury crossover SUV, ever, it's never really needed to step into the performance realm to capture new customers.Do you think Lexus has what it takes to take on the BMW X5 M and company? - Credit: Chris ChinBut now, that's apparently all about to change. And we're all for it.Specifics aren't available. However, rumors say Lexus' engineers will be optimizing the RX500's gas-electric turbo-four-based hybrid system. Projected results point to an output of over 600 (!) horses and performance-tuned all-wheel drive.About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).AdvertisementAdvertisementWant to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.